New South Wales (NSW)

• The population of New South Wales is 7,797,800 people.
• Sydney (the capital city of New South Wales) is Australia’s most populated city with an estimated population of 5.2 million people.
• 49.3 percent of the NSW population are male and 50.7 percent are female.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders account for 2.9 percent of New South Wales’ population.
• The top five ancestries for people in NSW are: English, Australian, Irish, Scottish and Chinese.
• The top five languages (other than English) spoken in NSW are: Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Greek.
• The top five countries of birth (other than Australia) for people in NSW are: England, China, India, New Zealand and Philippines.
• NSW is located in south-eastern Australia. It has a total area of 800,642 km2 and covers 10.4 percent of Australia.
• New South Wales’ coastline is only 2137 km long.

Based on 2016 Census

The flag of New South Wales is a British Blue Ensign defaced with the state badge. The badge depicts the cross of St George in red on a white disc. At the extremity of each arm of the cross is an eight pointed gold star, and in the centre of the cross is a golden lion passant guardant.

The NSW Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII in Oct 1906. It features a shield containing the badge of NSW together with wheat and sheep symbols on a blue background. The shield is supported by a lion, representing England, and a kangaroo, representing Australia.

The floral emblem of NSW is the Waratah, a large red flower which is protected by law. Like gum leaves, the Waratah turns its leaves sideways to avoid the blaze of the sun.

The bird emblem of NSW is the Kookaburra, the animal emblem is the Platypus and the fish emblem is the Blue Groper.

The gemstone emblem of NSW is the Black Opal, the rarest and most valuable type of opal.