Australia's 5th-biggest city (8) - Crossword Clue
Answer: ADELAIDE
Understanding the Crossword Clue Structure
- When you encounter "Australia's 5th-biggest city (8)" in a crossword puzzle, the number in parentheses indicates you need an eight-letter answer.
- This clue combines geographical knowledge with population statistics, making it a straightforward factual clue rather than a cryptic one.
- Adelaide fits perfectly as it contains exactly eight letters: A-D-E-L-A-I-D-E.
- The clue tests your knowledge of Australian cities and their relative sizes by population, which is a common theme in geography-focused crosswords.
Why Adelaide is Australia's Fifth-Largest City
- Adelaide stands as Australia's fifth-biggest city with a metropolitan population of approximately 1.4 million people, positioned behind Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
- This coastal capital of South Australia combines heritage charm with modern urban development, making it a significant population center in the southern region of the continent.
Quick Tips for Solving Australian City Crossword Clues
- Count the letters first - The number in parentheses is your primary constraint. Adelaide's eight letters make it instantly recognizable when the letter count matches.
- Know the major cities - Memorize Australia's top 10 cities and their populations. This knowledge applies to countless geography-themed puzzles beyond just this specific clue.
- Consider the context - If you have crossing letters already filled in, use them to confirm Adelaide. The double 'A' and 'E' are distinctive features.
- Watch for variations - Clues might ask for "South Australia's capital" (also Adelaide) or use different population rankings from various years, though Adelaide's fifth-place position is well-established.
- Regional knowledge matters - Understanding that Adelaide is coastal and southern helps eliminate other possibilities when solving related geographical clues in the same puzzle.
Australia's 5th-biggest city (8) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Why isn't Canberra ranked higher despite being the capital?
Canberra has a much smaller population (around 460,000) than the major state capitals. Being Australia's political capital doesn't correlate with population size—it was deliberately built as a planned city between Sydney and Melbourne.
Could this clue refer to any other city?
No, Adelaide is definitively Australia's fifth-largest city by metropolitan population. While some measurements might show slight variations, no other eight-letter city name fits this ranking.
How often do population rankings change?
Major Australian city rankings are quite stable. While Perth and Adelaide have occasionally been close in size, the top five positions haven't dramatically shifted in recent decades due to established migration and growth patterns.
What if the clue says "5th largest" versus "5th biggest"?
These terms are interchangeable in crossword contexts and both refer to population size. The answer remains Adelaide regardless of the specific wording used.
Do crosswords ever use outdated rankings?
Reputable crossword publishers update geographical facts, but you might encounter older puzzles with slightly different contexts. Adelaide has been consistently fifth throughout the 21st century, making it a reliable answer.
