New York, London, Shanghai – sure all these places sound good, but everyone has been there. It's all so passé. Where's the challenge?
Here are some freaky facts about Perth that will make you want to jump on the next plane.
Perth from space... a long way from anywhere
Fact #1: Perth has more self-made millionaires than any city in the world. Now, that got your attention didn't it? Well, thanks to the mining boom and the fact they pay blokes $100,000 to drive trucks, we have the highest number of self-made men (and women) in the world.
Fact #2: Western Australia occupies 1/3 of the continent and has a larger land area than Western Europe. Of course, we don't have the European rail system to go with it, so if you want to go exploring you might want to find yourself a sturdy 4WD. And a GPS. And possibly a tracker.
Fact #3: Perth is the most isolated capital city in the world: Perth is closer to Singapore than it is to Canberra, and closer to Bali than it is to Sydney. As a result we are kind of insular, a bit mad on the roads, and exceptionally friendly.
Don't forget your sunglasses
Fact #4: Perth has more sunshine than any other Australian capital, and some say the entire world. Don't forget your sunnies and suncream.
Fact #5: The zero kilometre peg (where all distances from Perth are measured from) is a plaque on the wall of the original General Post Office (now the Central Government Building) on the corner of Cathedral Ave and St Georges Terrace. This is basically the Perth equivalent of the Rose Line (Da Vinci Code, anyone?)… but not quite as awesome.
This doesn't really have much relevance to the article. Copyright Sony Pictures.
Fact #6: You have all heard of the Welsh town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch the longest name of a town in the world… our longest name of a place near Perth is Ngangaguringguring Hill (18 letters). Impressed? Me neither, next fact.
Fact #7: There is a man-made wind tunnel on St George's Terrace, created by the numerous high rise buildings (yes, we have big buildings). On an even larger scale, Perth is the world's third windiest city. Perfect for your best Marilyn Monroe impression.
Make sure you wear your good undies. Copyright Associated Press
Fact #8: Western Australia tried to secede from the rest of Australia back in 1933 but that never eventuated, but simply because the Brits never got around to giving permission.
Fact #9: Who needs permission? The Principality of Hutt River, achieved the legal status of being a micro-nation and sovereign state in 1972. Located 517 km north of Perth (and quite the tourist attraction), the ruler Prince Leonard 1 of Hutt, seceded from the state of WA over a dispute with the government over wheat. The Principality has a population of less than 25 locals plus about 15,000 overseas 'citizens'.
Fact #10: We are one of the world's largest suppliers of lobsters. Oh and diamonds and pearls. Perfect if you happen to
meet a nice millionaire (see Fact #1).
