 Central Darwin, circa 1986 Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, and is a city of 109,419 people (2001 census) on Australia's far north-western coastline. Darwin is reputed to suffer more lightning-strikes than any other inhabited place in the world. It is also home to the Territory's only university, Charles Darwin University.
Geography and climate Darwin is situated in the Northern Territory, on the coast of the Timor Sea at Latitude: 12 27S - Longitude: 130 50E.  Location of Darwin in relation to other major cities Darwin has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season runs from May to September, in the coolest months of June and July daily temperature range is 19 to 30°C. In the Wet season is associated with tropical cyclones and monsoon rains, the majority of rainfall occurs between December and March, thunderstorms are common and humidity is regularly over 70 per cent
History Darwin was originally called Palmerston, but was renamed in 1911 after Charles Darwin, who had visited the location in 1839.
On February 19, 1942, during the Pacific War, 242 Japanese warplanes attacked Darwin. The attack killed at least 243 people and caused immense damage to the town. (See Air raids on Darwin, February 19, 1942).
Darwin was largely destroyed in 1974 by Cyclone Tracy, which killed 49 people and destroyed over 70% of the town's buildings. The town was subsequently rebuilt with newer materials and techniques.
On September 17, 2003, the Adelaide-Darwin Railway was completed.
Sports Every two years since 1991, (excluding 2003 due to the SARS outbreak), Darwin has played host to the Arafura Games, a major regional sporting event.
In July 2003 and 2004, Darwin had the first cricket match as part of the 3 Mobile cricket tour. Rugby League and Australian Rules Football are played all year round.
Culture Darwin is known as the "Gateway to Asia," although the city's population is not hugely multicultural. Darwin's Mitchell Street is lined with nightclubs, takeaways, and restraunts, many with al fresco-style dining.
Media Darwin has only two commerical television channels, Seven Darwin and Channel 9, with the possibility of Ten coming from mid 2005, although it is unconfirmed. SBS and the ABC broadcast in Darwin as well. Darwin has two commercial radio stations, Hot 100 and Mix 104.9 along with other stations, including a uni-based Top 104.1 that is relayed throughout the Territory and ABC Radio.
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