Brisbane is the capital of the Australian state of Queensland and with 1.5 million inhabitants its largest city. The city is situated on the Brisbane River on a low-lying floodplain between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range in southeastern Queensland. The city was initially settled in 1823 when a penal colony was set up, which later evolved into a larger city. Brisbane is a pleasant city, which however does not have too many sights. It has a nice mix of colonial era and modern architecture. The Brisbane central business district lies in a curve of the Brisbane river.