Created out of New South Wales farmland after its site was designated in 1908, Canberra is a planned city unlike anywhere else in the nation. Designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin, and surrounded by parks and gardens, the national capital is a pleasant environment. Canberra is the home of Australia's Federal government; 40 per cent of the 300,000 population is employed in this area. The city is full of diplomatic missions and government departments, and - appealing for the visitor - national museums and galleries. The central focus is man-made Lake Burley Griffin, a location for cruises, from where roads radiate to suburbs and wild bushland. Beyond the city centre, the surrounding Australian Capital Territory (ACT) offers rugged Namadgi National Park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and 1859 Lanyon Homestead.