1. new south wales the "mother colony" of Australia, fronts the Pacific for 700 m. on the E. between Queensland (N.) and Victoria (S.), is 2½ times the size of GreatBritain and Ireland; mountain ranges (including the Australian Alps) running parallel with, and from 20 to 100 m. distant from, the coast, divide the narrowlittoral plains from the great plains of the W. and the interior, and are the source of many large rivers (e. g. the Darling) flowing E. and W.; the climate is warm and everywhere healthy; rainfalls plentifully on the coast lands and mountains, but is scarce in the W. The mineralwealth of the colony is very great—gold and silver are found in large quantities, as also copper, tin, iron, &c., but coal is the most abundant and valuablemineralproduct. Cereals, fruits, sugar, tobacco, &c., are cultivated, but in small quantities compared with the immense output of wool, the chiefproduct of the country. Sydney (q. v.) is the capital and chiefport of the colony. Government is vested in a Crown appointed Governor and two Houses of Parliament (triennial and paid). Education is free and compulsory. Established in 1788, the colony was, up to 1840, used as a settlement for transported criminals. In 1851 the greatgold discoveries started the colony on its prosperous career.
Definitions of new south wales 
