City Centre, Australian Capital Territory

City Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Civic viewed from Mount Ainslie with Lake Burley Griffin and Mount Stromlo in the background.
Location of City, shaded
Coordinates	35°16′55″S 149°07′43″E / 35.282°S 149.1286°E / -35.282; 149.1286Coordinates: 35°16′55″S 149°07′43″E / 35.282°S 149.1286°E / -35.282; 149.1286
Population	2,823 (2011 census)
• Density	1,880/km2 (4,870/sq mi)
Established	1927
Gazetted	20 September 1928
Postcode(s)	2600
Area	1.5 km2 (0.6 sq mi)
District	Canberra Central (North Canberra)
Territory electorate(s)	Kurrajong
Federal Division(s)	Canberra
Suburbs around City: Turner Braddon Acton City Reid Lake Burley Griffin Parkes

Civic is the name by which the central business district of Canberra is commonly known. It is also called Civic Centre, City Centre, Canberra City and Canberra, but its official division name is City (postcode: 2600).

Canberra's City was established in 1927, although the division name City was not gazetted until 20 September 1928. Walter Burley Griffin's design for Canberra included a "Civic Centre" with a separate "Market Centre" located at what is now Russell. However Prime Minister Stanley Bruce vetoed this idea and only the Civic Centre was developed; the idea of the Market Centre was abandoned.

Some of the earliest buildings constructed in Canberra were the Sydney and Melbourne buildings which flank Northbourne Avenue. The buildings house many shops, bars and restaurants.

The Canberra Centre, a three-storey shopping complex is Civic's main shopping precinct with a retail presence from the national chains David Jones, Myer, Big W and Target department stores. Nearby is Glebe Park, a picturesque park near the centre of the city with elm trees and oaks from early European settlement before the city was founded. It has a children's play park. It is popular with people on their lunch breaks and younger children from the surrounding areas. Civic also is home to the Canberra Theatre, Casino Canberra, Canberra Museum and Gallery and the National Convention Centre.