Built around Sydney Harbour, Sydney is known in Australia as the "Harbour City", and structures on the Harbour such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are globally recognised icons of the city. Sydney has one of the world’s most recognisable skylines and its famous harbour is commonly referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world.^{[citation needed]} Sydney is also a major domestic and international tourist destination, notable for its climate, sandy beaches, culture, world class hotels and renowned landmarks.^{[citation needed]}

Sydney significantly raised its global profile in recent years as the host city of the 2000 Olympics and is also one of the 10 Beta global cities exerting significant regional, national, and international influence.

Sydney is located in a coastal basin between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west. The city features the largest natural harbour in the world, Port Jackson, and more than 70 harbour and ocean beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach. Sydney's urban area of 1687 km² (651 mi²) is similar to that of Greater London. The metropolitan area (Sydney Statistical Division) is 12 145 km² (4,689 mi²); a significant portion of this area is national park and other unsettled land.

Sydney occupies two geographical regions: the Cumberland Plain, a relatively flat or rolling region lying to the south and west of the harbour, and the Hornsby Plateau, a plateau north of the harbour, up to 200 metres (656 ft) in elevation, dissected by forested valleys. The oldest parts of the city are located in the flat areas; the Hornsby Plateau, known as the North Shore, was slower to develop because of its hilly topography, and was mostly a quiet backwater until the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932, linking it to the rest of the city.

Sydney contains a large array of lush parks and gardens, which attract visitors all year round. Sydney has some remarkable natural areas and open spaces situated within the city centre, many of them dating back to the first settlers. Notable parks include the Chinese Garden of Friendship, the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park (which is named after London's Hyde Park). The city as a whole contains several national parks, including the Royal National Park, the second oldest national park in the world.

Source: Wikipedia