the capital of Tasmania or Van Diemen's Land, is situated in the southern part of that island, on the right bank of the estuary of the Derwent, about 20 miles from the sea, in N. Lat. 42° 53', E. Long. 147° 21'. Hobart-Town was founded and made the seat of government by lieutenant-governor Collins in 1804, and was named after Lord Hobart, then secretary of state for the colonies. It is regularly and neatly built on gently rising ground, inclosed by an amphitheatre of lofty and well-wooded hills. A small rivulet, called Hobart-Town Creek, flows through the town. The buildings are of brick, or a dark-coloured freestone, abundant in the neighbourhood. Many of the public buildings are handsome edifices, especially some of the churches. The government house is a large and irregular pile of building, originally built on a small scale, and enlarged as necessity required; but a new one is in course of erection, if not now finished. Among its other buildings are the custom-house, court-house, female house of correction, new market-house, and military and prisoners' barracks. There are also a magnetic observatory, high school, mechanics' institute, and several literary and scientific societies. One of the great advantages of Hobart-Town is its fine harbour, where ships of any burden may lie in safety close to the shore. Large quays and basins have been constructed; and along the water-side are ship and boat building yards. Pop. (1847) 21,419.