South Australia occupies the south-central part of mainland Australia, and the state covers some of the most arid areas of the continents. It is bordered by Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. South Australia has a population of 1.5 million and the majority of the population lives in the state capital Adelaide. Other populous areas of South Australia can be found along the Murray River and in some of the more fertile areas on the south-eastern coast. Unlike many of the other states and territories, South Australia did not start as a penal colony, but was rather a planned province where settlement originally began in 1836. The state has a history of agriculture, manufacturing and mining and although these industries are still vital for the survival of South Australia, a growing financial sector is becoming increasingly important for the continued growth and prosperity for South Australia. Take advantage of cheap car hire in Adelaide and use this destination as a base for exploring South Australia