Most of South Australia's two million people live in the state's capital, Adelaide, being described as one of the world's best planned and most charming cities. The city is laid out with broad streets in an open grid pattern encircled by over 4000ha of parkland. Many of the streets are lined with early colonial houses built of bluestone and slate and numerous churches, reflecting the piety of the early settlers that has earned Adelaide the nickname 'The City of Churches'.

The State prides itself as being an early colony of  'free-settlers' - of like-minded religious young men and women. The new settlers came mainly from devoutly religious and hard-working British stock, with several thousand German Lutherans fleeing persecution in their homeland. The State has a desert and semi-desert climate and the lifestyle in the capital is easy-going with a slow and relaxed pace. 

Many art festivals and other cultural events are held in and around Adelaide.

A two-week Festival of Arts is held in the city every second year, which attracts well-known overseas and local guest artists.

Another festival, The Barossa Valley Vintage Festival, reflects how wine and culture go together and is held on alternate years and together, these two colourful events have earned South Australia the name “The Festival State”.