Canberra is the capital of Australia and the administrative center of the Australian Capital Territory. Canberra is located in southeastern Australia, near the Brindabella Mountains. Canberra is located in the zone of dry continental climate with hot summers and relatively cold winters. The city is located in the northern part of the Australian Capital Territory, on all sides surrounded by the territory of New South Wales. Canberra is a purpose-built for the functions of the capital city, the original plan for which was designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1912. Downtown consists of a ring structure, where main avenues diverge like the spokes of the wheel. The territory outside the central part was built without taking into account the original plan. Canberra is divided into 7 districts, each divided into districts with their social and commercial center. Areas typically are named after former prime ministers of the state, famous Australians, early settlers of Canberra, as well as give the words coming from a language of Australian aborigines. As the seat of state government, Canberra is a place where the Australian Parliament, the Supreme Court and numerous ministries and agencies. The town is also the social and cultural institutions of national importance, such as the National Gallery of Australia and National Museum of Australia. Canberra's major academic institutions are the Australian National University is located in the area of ​​Acton and University of Canberra in the Bruce. Australian National University was founded in 1946 as a research university. It continues to conduct various research projects and the university is one of the best in the world. Flora and fauna is rather rich in the city. The design of Canberra is based on the garden city concept, which assumes large areas of natural vegetation, because of what the Australians called it the bush capital. Many parks and nature reserves are located in the city. Despite the fact that the growth and development of the city prevented the First World War and the Great Depression, after World War II, Canberra has become a thriving city.