Perth Facts & Worksheets

Perth is Western Australia’s sunny capital. It is also the largest city in that region. With a population of 2.1 million (according to a 2022 report), Perth counts as the fourth most populous city in all of Australia and Oceania. Perth is known for getting the most sunny days in Australia. The city got its nickname “City of Light” from the time when house lights and street lights all over the city were turned on for American astronaut John Glenn as he passed overhead and became the first American to orbit the earth.

See the fact file below for more information about Perth, or you can download our 28-page Perth worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

TOPONYMY

• Perth got its name from the county of Perth in Scotland, which was the birthplace of Sir George Murray.
• Murray was the British Secretary of State for the Colonies and the patron of Captain James Stirling, the British naval officer who founded Perth in 1829.

GEOGRAPHY

• Perth is known to be the most isolated city in the world; the closest city, which is Adelaide, is approximately 2,104 kilometers (1,307 miles) away.
• Perth’s Central Business District of Perth is bordered by the Swan River to the south and east and the Kings Park to the west.
• The city is bounded by railway lines to the north.
• Perth is set on overall flat land and rolling topography made of sandy soil and bedrock.
• The metropolitan region stretches along the coast to Two Rocks in the north and Singleton in the south.
• Perth has an area of 5,386 square kilometers (2,079 miles).

CLIMATE

• Perth experiences hot and dry summers and cool and damp winters.
• An average of 8 hours of sunshine per day can be enjoyed in Perth.
• It is the sunniest of all capitals in Australia.
• January is the hottest month in Perth, while July is the coldest.
• Perth has an average rainfall of 790 mm per year.

HISTORY

• The history of Perth can be traced back to 1697 when Europeans began exploring the area. It had been occupied by the indigenous Whadjuk Noongar people for at least 45,000 years.

SWAN RIVER COLONY

• In 1827, Captain Stirling began sailing aboard the HMS Success ship towards the Swan River, believing that the area would be perfect for setting up a settlement.
• Thus began the British’ efforts to found a colony there.
• Charles Fremantle led the first ship to arrive in the Swan River.
• When Stirling arrived in June 1829, he took over the Swan River colony and governed it from 1829 to 1832 and from 1834 to 1838.

19th CENTURY

• Perth’s resources and systems developed during the 19th century.
• The following establishments were built in the settlement: Old Court House (1836); Supreme Court Gardens (1845); Royal Perth Hospital (1855); Town Hall (1870); Perth railway station (1880); and St George’s Cathedral (1888), among others.
• In 1856, Perth gained city status.
• The period of 1850 to 1869 is commonly referred to as the “Convict Era” of Western Australia because the shortage of labor compelled the British government to dispatch convicts to work in the colony.
• In 1877, Perth was connected to Adelaide, South Australia by telegraph services.
• In the late 19th century, Western Australia experienced a gold rush.
• Following the gold discovery in the Kimberley, Murchison and Kalgoorlie regions and the subsequent mining boom, Perth’s population exponentially grew from around 8,500 in 1881 to 61,000 in 1901.
• Electricity was supplied to the city at the end of the 19th century, and the first electric tram services were set up.

20th CENTURY

• Massive flooding of the Swan River in July 1926 caused the Fremantle Railway Bridge to collapse right after a train had run over it.
• Perth became a lord mayoralty in 1929.
• Perth was also affected by the Great Depression during the 1930s.
• Unemployment was extremely high, with one in four people not having employment.
• It was during World War II when employment improved.
• The economic growth picked up beginning mid-1950s because of large-scale public works, the post-war immigration program, and changes in urban design.
• In 1962, Perth’s residents lit up their house lights and street lights all over the city for American astronaut John Glenn as he passed overhead on Friendship 7 and became the first American to orbit the earth.
• This is why Perth is nicknamed “City of Light”.

21st CENTURY

• Upon entering the new century, Perth was relatively prosperous because of the economic boom.
• It had become the main service center for resource industries, including mining gold, nickel, diamonds, coal, oil, natural gas, and more minerals.
• Perth became Australia’s fastest-growing capital during the early 2000s.

ECONOMY, CULTURE, AND SPORT

• Mining and agriculture are the two main industries that have driven the economy of Perth upward.
• Since Fremantle hosted the America’s Cup yacht race in 1987, tourism has also become economically significant in Perth.
• Manufacturers of paint, cement, rubber, steel, nickel, aluminum, sheet metals, and other building materials are also found in Perth.
• As for languages spoken in the city, English is the primary one.
• Other spoken languages include Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Punjabi.
• In terms of religion, more than 60% of the population identifies as Christians.
• A number of cultural festivals are held in Perth, such as the annual Perth International Arts Festival or simply Perth Festival, the Perth Writers Festival, the Fringe World Festival, and the Taste of Perth food festival.
• Summer is the best time to spot night food market events throughout the Perth CBD and surrounding areas.
• Fans of Australian rules football would love Perth as it is the most popular spectator sport in the city.
• Rugby, basketball, and cricket are also popular sports in the area.

FAMOUS SITES AND LANDMARKS

• Kings Park offers amazing views over the city and is the ideal place to have a picnic and relax.
• The Perth Mint is the official bullion mint of Australia.
• Perth Zoo is home to more than 1,500 species of animals.
• A unique destination is The Bell Tower, which houses one of the biggest musical instruments in the world.
• Situated just offshore from Perth, Rottnest Island is a must-see nature reserve and holiday destination.
• From the city center, tourists like to take off to the historic port town of Fremantle for more exploration.
• There are plenty of art galleries, museums, theaters, and exhibitions accessible in the city.
• “Urban villages”, as they’re called, the areas of Subiaco, Leederville, Mount Lawley, Northbridge, and Victoria Park give off a different city vibe.

Perth Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Perth across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Perth. Perth is Western Australia’s sunny capital. It is also the largest city in that region. The city got its nickname “City of Light” from the time when house lights and street lights all over the city were turned on for American astronaut John Glenn as he passed overhead and became the first American to orbit the earth.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Perth, Australia Facts
2. City of Light
3. A Map of Perth
4. Colony Questions
5. Then to Now
6. What Makes Them Different
7. Tell Me More
8. Famous People from Perth
9. Perth Puzzle
10. Collage Show and Tell
11. Perth Prospects

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Perth located?

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is situated on the southwestern coast of Australia. It is known for its isolation, being one of the most remote major cities in the world.

What is the population of Perth?

In September 2021, the population of Perth was over 2 million people, making it the fourth-most populous city in Australia.

What is the climate like in Perth?

Perth has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summers are typically hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), while winters are cooler and wetter.

What are some notable attractions in Perth?

Perth offers a variety of attractions, including Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Fremantle Prison, Perth Zoo, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, and beautiful beaches like Cottesloe and Scarborough. The city is also known for its vibrant culinary scene.

How do people get around in Perth?

Perth has an extensive public transportation system, including buses and trains, operated by Transperth. Additionally, there are numerous cycling paths, and the city has a network of well-maintained roads. Perth also has an international airport, Perth Airport, providing air travel connections to various destinations.

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