Australian Citizenship Practice Exam

Canberra is the capital city of Australia, serving as the political and administrative center of the country. It was purposefully selected as the capital in 1908 as a compromise between the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. The establishment of Canberra as the capital aimed to foster national unity and ensure that the political center was distinct from the major cities that could have exerted undue influence due to their size and prominence.

Canberra houses important national institutions, including the Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and various government departments. The city is designed around the concept of a ‘garden city’ and features extensive parks and open spaces, which reflects its planned nature. This unique status and the functions it serves underscore why it is correctly identified as Australia's capital.

Other cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are significant urban centers known for their cultural and economic importance, yet they do not fulfill the role of the national capital, which is specifically designated to Canberra.