Perth is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Western Australia. With a population of 1,477,818 (June 2005) Perth is the fourth largest Australian city, and comprises almost 75% of Western Australia's population. The metropolitan area is located in the south west of Australia between the Indian Ocean and Darling Range, with the CBD and suburb of Perth situated on the Swan River.

Prior to European Settlement the area had been inhabitated by the Whadjuk Noongar people for 40,000 years. Founded in 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the political centre of the Swan River Colony it has continued to be the seat of Government for Western Australia.