Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1803 as a penal colony, Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. The city is located in the state's south-east on the estuary of theDerwent River, making it the most southern of Australia's capital cities. Its harbour forms the second-deepest natural port in the world.At its fashionable Salamanca Place, old sandstone warehouses host galleries and cafes.
Its skyline is dominated by the 1,271-metre (4,170ft) kunanyi /Mount Wellington, and much of the city's waterfront consists of reclaimed land.It is the financial and administrative heart ofTasmania, serving as the home port for both Australian and FrenchAntarcticoperations and acting as a major tourist hub, with over 1.192 million visitors in 2011/2012.The metropolitan area is often referred to asGreater Hobart, to differentiate it from theCity of Hobart, one of the five local government areas that cover the city.
