Local Information - Perth & Surrounds

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. As the business and administration centre for the resource rich state, Perth has grown consistently faster than the national average.

The metropolitan area has an estimated population of 1,659,000 and is located between the Indian Ocean and a low coastal escarpment known as the Darling Range. The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the Swan River, and the metropolitan area extends to Yanchep in the north and Rockingham to the south, total distance of approximately 90 kilometres. From the coast in the west to Mundaring in the east is a total distance of approximately 50 kilometres.

Coastal suburbs enjoy Perth's oceanside location and clean beaches. Perth receives moderate though highly seasonal rainfall. Summers are generally hot and dry, lasting from December to late March, making Perth a classic example of a Mediterranean climate.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org and http://wikitravel.org