Southeast Australia, south of New South Wales.

GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April).

227,600 sq km (87,877 sq miles).

5.2 million (official estimate 2007).

23 per sq km.

Melbourne. Population: 3.8 million (2007).

Victoria is Australia's most diverse state and its major agricultural and industrial producer. Located in the southeast, bordered by South Australia and New South Wales, its landscape consists of mountains, rainforests, deserts, snowfields, beaches, vineyards, wheatlands and market gardens. The Australian Alps are only three hours away from Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road to South Australia is a day's drive. Victoria has 32 national parks, amounting to a third of Australia's total.