New South Wales is a state located in the southeastern part of Australia. It is the most populous state in the country and is home to the nation's capital, Sydney. The term 'New South Wales' is derived from the British colony of New South Wales, which was established in 1788. The state is bordered by Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west. It also shares maritime borders with the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand.