Sydney is the largest city in Australia, and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney has a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.4 million [5] and an area of approximately 12,000 square kilometers (4,633 sq mi). Its inhabitants are called Sydneysiders, and Sydney is often called "the Harbor City". It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants to Australia.[6] The site of the first British colony in Australia, Sydney was established [7] in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip, commodore of the First Fleet. The city is built on hills surrounding Sydney Harbor – an inlet of the Tasman Sea on Australia's south-east coast. It is home to the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Harbor Bridge and its beaches. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and contains many bays, rivers and inlets