Dunedin

Port, city, and capital of Otago province, South Island, New Zealand, at the head of Otago Harbour, 24 km/15 mi from the sea; population (2001 est) 114,300. It is a road, rail, and air centre, with engineering, ship building, textile, and tourist industries. There is also a significant chemical and fertilizer industry. Dunedin is an important education centre, and the University of Otago (1869) is the oldest university in the country.

Dunedin was founded in 1848 by members of the Free Church of Scotland. It was named after Din Eidin, the original name of the Scottish capital Edinburgh. The city grew rapidly after 1861 when gold was discovered in the area.

As well as the University of Otago, Dunedin is home to Otago Polytechnic (1966), and three theological colleges. Features of interest include St Joseph's Cathedral (1886) and St Paul's Cathedral (1919), Dunedin Public Art Gallery (1884), the Botanical Gardens (1869), and the 200 ha/500 acres of forest surrounding the city centre.

Dunedin

Town in Pinellas County, west Florida; population (1990) 34,000. It is situated on St Joseph Sound of the Gulf of Mexico, 32 km/20 mi west of Tampa. Settled in the 1850s, it was an important port, but is now a winter resort and fishing centre. The town is also active in the processing and shipping of citrus fruits and the manufacture of electrical parts, machinery, and cattle feed. Caladesi Island State Park lies to the west.