Perthis thecapitaland largest city of theAustralian stateofWestern Australia. It is thefourth-most populous city in Australia, with an estimated population of 2.02million (as of 30 June 2014) living inGreater Perth.Perth is part of theSouth West Land Divisionof Western Australia, with the majority of the metropolitan area of Perth located on theSwan Coastal Plain, a narrow strip between the Indian Ocean and theDarling Scarp, a low coastal escarpment. The first areas settled were on theSwan River, with the city'scentral business districtand port (Fremantle) both located on its shores.
Foundedin 1829 as the administrative centre of theSwan River Colony,Perth became known worldwide as the "City of Light" when city residents lit their house lights and streetlights as American astronautJohn Glennpassed overhead while orbiting the earth onFriendship7in 1962.