Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is the largest city in its state and the second largest city in Australia, located at its southeastern edge. Positioned in the Australian Eastern Standard Time zone, it measures 8806 km² and is made up of a variety of terrains. Bordered by ancient lava flows to the west, mudstones to the east and sand mixed with shale to the southeast, along Port Phillip, Melbourne sits at the bay's northern end, 55 km from its entrance. The northeastern border extends to the Yarra River Valley, while to the northwest it bends along the Maribyrnong River. It is the most southerly metropolitan area in the world.
The Environmental Diversity of Melbourne |
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West of the city sight, during the Cenozoic era, basalt flowed, leaving flat uniform plains. While these fertile plains at one time covered one-tenth of Victoria, very little remains and efforts are underway to conserve the grasslands. Though the tall tussock grasses are the most visible vegetation, grass is not the only plant species indigenous to the area and typical grassland families include daisies, peas, lilies, sedges and orchids. Above the plains stand a series of granite ridges known as the You Yangs. Although 50 km west of Melbourne and standing only 352 m at their highest, they are easily seen from the city because of the surrounding flatlands. |
Melbourne Coastline and River Systems |
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The Maribyrnong River from the north meets up with the Yarra River and flows through Melbourne supplying drinking water to over 2.5 million people. The Yarra's muddy color is from eroded clay soils and is no indication of its cleanliness, as pollution levels are quite low, especially for the size of the surrounding area. Land development resulted in the presence of microscopic clay particles that clumped together and then sank as they combined with marine salts where the river contacts the bay. It has now become home to several species of fish and the occasional dolphin. At the mouth of the Yarra River is Port Phillip, a shallow, yet navigable bay with highly populated shorelines. This coastal area consists of sandstone beds laid down approximately 400 million years ago. The rainfall is much higher in the southeastern section of the city, than to the west, thus supporting heavier tree growth and richer soils. As Melbourne has grown, most of the expansion has been in this eastern direction. Urban development has pushed out 97 km to the east as opposed to 16 to the west. |
Melbourne Mountain Ranges |
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The Dandenong mountain ranges are just 35 km to the east of Melbourne and provide beauty and recreation along with unique microclimates. The northern sections of the mountains are covered by dry forest, while the southern area is blanketed by ferny undergrowth in a temperate rain forest. The entire range is highly susceptible to brush fires. |
Melbourne Tourism |
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Melbourne Rainfall |
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Annual rainfall of 26 inches is spread quite evenly across the city with the wettest month being October and January, the driest. Temperatures are considered moderate and range from 13° C in July to 26 °C in January, with warm summers, mild springs and falls and cool winters. Fortunately for Melbourne, there is an eastern passage of winds that blow through the city to keep air pollution levels low. |
Melbourne City |
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The city itself boasts a number of parks, gardens and varied architectural detail. With a wealth of landscape diversity, the area lends itself to study and exploration. With access to mountain passes, saltwater shores and grassland plains, Melbourne is rich in resources and leisure opportunities. |