Despite a torrid climate and traumatic history, Darwin has managed to maintain a youthful energy. The city is home to buzzing bars, joggers, and cyclists, as well as tropical parks and waterfront suburbs. Although the city is relatively small, it is one of the fastest growing in Australia. In fact, the population has increased by more than 50 percent since 1991. Today, the city has a population of 125,000 people.
The City of Darwin is the Northern Territory's capital, and is Australia's northernmost city. The city is bounded on three sides by the Beagle Gulf, the Litchfield Council area, and the Unincorporated Northern Territory. Originally the home of the Larrakia Aboriginal people, the City of Darwin was named after naturalist Charles Darwin. A number of army bases and museums are located within the city, as is a portion of Charles Darwin National Park.
The temperature is a strong predictor of mortality and morbidity in Darwin. Studies have found that a one-degree increase in the mean and maximum daily temperatures increase hospital admissions by 7.9% and 6.6%, respectively. This correlation was strongest on days when the daily temperatures were higher. Moreover, the RH levels were higher on days with higher temperatures. The temperature and the RH were also higher than normal.
The climate in the region is a significant contributor to excessive overheating. Over three-quarters of Darwin is unshaded blacktop bitumen, and more than 80 percent of pathways are composed of concrete and aggregate. Monitoring campaigns suggest that high Ts values of the urban fabric and reduced winds speed contribute to overheating. The advection rate depends on the extent of urban canyons and low-rise open layouts.