Victoria is a state in the south eastern of Australia. It is the smallest mainland state in area, but the most densely populated and urbanised. Victoria began in the 1830s as a farming community. The discovery of gold in 1851 transformed it into a leading industrial and commercial centre. Melbourne is Victoria's capital and largest city, with more than 70% of all Victorians living there.
Victoria contains many topographically, geologically and climatically diverse areas, ranging from the wet, temperate climate of Gippsland in the south east to the snow-covered Victorian alpine areas which rise to almost 2,000 Metres (6,500 ft) (with Mount Bogong the highest peak at 1,986 m; 6,516 ft) and extensive semi-arid plains to the west and north-west.