Victoria

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Victoria State in se Australia, bounded by the Indian Ocean, the Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea. The capital is Melbourne (home to more than 66% of the state population); other major cities are Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo. The region was part of New South Wales until 1851, when it became a separate colony. The population increased rapidly after 1851, when prospectors discovered gold at Ballarat and Bendigo. In 1901, Victoria became part of the Commonwealth of Australia. The area is crossed by the Australian Alps and other ranges of the Eastern Highlands. Irrigation is used extensively to grow wheat, oats, barley, fruit, and vegetables, while sheep and dairy cattle are also important. Brown coal, natural gas, and oil are the chief mineral resources. Industries: motor vehicles, textiles, food processing. Area: 227,620sq km (87,813sq mi). Pop. (2000 est.) 4,197,400.

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Victoria (Australia)

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