Australia is a nation of culture. From Europe to Asia to the Americas and back again, it is rare for a people not to be represented somewhere in our country. However, there is one place that truly takes diversity to the next level: and not just in its people.
Sydney, the Harbour City, the original Australian port, continues to retain its legacy as having one of the widest ranges of cultures, economies and lifestyles in the world. Come with us as we explore this integral part of modern Australia.
Population
Sydney is a city of many parts, and no more so when it comes to its people.
Sydney is a city of many faces, especially when it comes to its people. According to the City of Sydney Council, over a third of the residents in the central parts of Sydney speak a language other than their own, with strong representation from nations all over the world. Nearly half of the central city's residents were born overseas, the largest group being those from the UK but with high populations of Chinese and Indians as well. The neighbourhoods of Sydney, both near and far from the city centre, are huge amalgamations of different beliefs, ideas, languages and cultures.
Sydney is well known as one of the main destinations for migrants to head to in Australia, but it is also a cavalcade of tourist attractions as well. The City of Sydney Council reports that over 610,000 visitors come to the CBD every day, while the numbers of visitors staying in hotels over the last decade has increased by about 30 per cent. Over $5 billion was spent in 2010 purely from tourist dollars, making Sydney one of the most attractive places for anyone wanting to see a little bit more of the world without ever having to leave our shores.
Economy
The economy of Sydney has gone through a number of evolutions.
The economy of Sydney has gone through a number of evolutions. From a penal colony to a manufacturing town and now proving itself as the place to be for financial services, the capital of New South Wales has worn many hats - but has never truly abandoned any of them, creating a huge diversity of employment opportunities in the city as well as a vibrant cultural scene.
ICT, one of the most important industries of the modern world, is the third largest business sector in Sydney according to the City of Sydney, though there is still plenty of room for the artistic citizens of Australia too. About 9 per cent of the Sydney economy is driven by the creative industries, and has also proven to be the most rapidly-growing sector in the metro. Meanwhile, 40 per cent of the top 400 Australian corporations base their headquarters in the Harbour City, creating an environment of not only diverse people, but diverse employment. While financial services dominate the overall economic output of Sydney, the fact is that no matter what industry you are in, you'll likely find a place to call home in the capital of NSW.
Housing
What really defines Sydney as a place of diversity is the architecture.
But of course, what really defines Sydney as a place of diversity is the architecture, and part of that is due to its long history as a major metropolitan hub. Sydney features heritage buildings from a huge number of different eras of Australia, from the very early colonial years to the Federation right up to the modern day.
And it isn't just the historical value of the city that is apparent either. There is a wide range of different choices of living in the modern day, from renting to flatting, but you can find all of them in Sydney. According to Shelter New South Wales, one third of the city rents, while another third is working through a mortgage, and the last third own their own home outright.
Whether you want an apartment in the heart of the city or a detached house in the suburbs, Sydney offers a home for every hearth and a place for every head. If you want to see everything that Australia and the world has to offer, then Sydney is truly the place to be.
