Melbourne is the second most populated city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3.8 million (2007 estimate). Located at the mouth of the Yarra River and on the northern and eastern shorelines of Port Phillip, Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria. Melbourne's demonym is Melburnian.

Melbourne is a major centre of commerce, industry and cultural activity. The city is referred to as Australia's 'sporting and cultural capital and it is home to many of the nation's most significant cultural and sporting events and institutions including the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. It has been recognised as a gamma world city by the Loughborough University group's 1999 inventory.

Melbourne is notable for its mix of Victorian and contemporary architecture, its extensive tram network and Victorian parks and gardens, as well as its diverse, multicultural society.

Melbourne has hosted multiple international conferences and events, including the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Politically, it was the location of the 1981 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the 2006 G20 summit.