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Geography
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Victoria is
Australia's most diverse state in terms of geography and is situated
in the south-eastern corner of the continent. As of the 2001 census, the
population was 4 644 950. Victoria shares the Murray River as a border with New South Wales to its north and a border with South Australia to the west. In this space are topographically, geologically and climatically diverse areas ranging from the wet, temperate climate of Gippsland in the southeast to the snow-covered Victorian alpine areas which rise to almost 2000 m (with Mount Bogong the highest peak at 1986 m) and extensive semi-arid plains to the west and north-west. The state's capital, Melbourne, contains approximately 70% of the state's population and dominates its economy, media, and culture. For other cities and towns, see List of localities (Victoria) Outside the manufacturing and service centre of Melbourne, agriculture dominates the Victorian economy, with its comparatively rich soils and temperature and wet climates compared to the rest of Australia. Major export agricultural activities include beef and dairy cattle, wool and lamb production and wheat (primarily in the drier western half of the state), with irrigated fruit and vegetable growers around Melbourne and along the Murray River. Wine grape production grew rapidly during the 1990s. Victoria is generally regarded as the home of Australian Rules Football, with 10 of the 16 clubs based in Melbourne and the traditional Grand Final held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Tourism in Victoria Skiing in Victoria, Fairy penguins, Melbourne Casino, Ballarat, Sovereign Hill, Puffing Billy, Maldon, Beechworth, Gippsland Lakes, Buchan Caves, Bendigo, Echuca, Murray river Golf Clubs, Hang-gliding, Gliding, Hot air balloons, Whale watching, Port Fairy Folk concert, Great Ocean Road, The Twelve Apostles Geology Vulcanism and geology, Gold mining, Brown coal, Offshore oil drilling Rivers in Victoria Murray River, Ovens River, King River, Campaspe River, Lodden River, Wimmera River, Elgin River, Barwon River, Thompson River, Snowy River, Latrobe River, Yarra River, Maribyrnong River, Mitta River, Kiewa River |