About Victoria

Victoriais a state located in the southeastern corner of Australia. It is the smallest mainland state in area but the most densely populated and urbanised Australian state, after New South Wales, with an estimated population of 5,205,200 as of June 2007. Melbourne is Victoria's capital and largest city, with more than '70%'of all Victorians living there. Despite its small size Victoria has a varied climate. It ranges from semi-arid and hot in the north-west, to temperate and cool along the coast. Victoria is the wettest Australian state after Tasmania. Rainfall in Victoria increases from north to south, with higher averages in areas of high altitude. The service industries sector is the fastest growing component of the Victorian economy. Most service industries are located in Melbourne and the state's larger regional centres. As of 2004-05, service industries employed nearly three-quarters of Victorian workers. More than a quarter of Victorian workers are employed by the personal services, community services, social services sector etc.