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Tasmania
Tasmania, an Australian state,
is located 200 kilometres (125 mi) south of the eastern side of the continent,
being separated from it by Bass Strait. The state of Tasmania includes the
island of Tasmania, and other surrounding islands. Tasmania has a population of
484,700 (March 2005, ABS) and an area of 68,332 square kilometres (26,383 sq
mi).
The distance from the
northernmost point (Woolnorth Pt) to the southernmost one (South East Cape) is
364 kilometres (226 miles), the distance from the westernmost (West Pt) to the
easternmost one (Eddystone Pt) is 306 kilometres (190 miles).
Tasmania promotes itself as the
Natural State and the "Island of Rejuvenation" owing to its large, and
relatively unspoiled natural environment. Formally, almost 37% of Tasmania is in
reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites.
The state capital and largest
city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart,
City of Glenorchy and City of Clarence. Other major population centres include
Launceston in the north, and Devonport and Burnie in the northwest.
The subantarctic Macquarie
Island is also under the administration of the state, as part of the Huon Valley
Council local government area.
Geography
Tasmania is a rugged island of
temperate climate, and was considered so similar in some ways to pre-industrial
England that it was referred to by some English colonists as 'a Southern
England'.
Tasmania has been volcanically
inactive in recent geological times, and has 'rounded smooth' mountain ranges
similar to mainland Australia (unlike most of New Zealand). The most mountainous
regions are the Central Highlands and south western areas, which cover most of
the central, west and south west parts of the state. The central east area (the
Midlands) is fairly flat by comparison, and is predominantly used for
agriculture, although various types of farming activity can be seen all around
the state.
The West Coast, being populated
and having historically over 150 years of mineral exploration and exploitation,
is a vital region to the state. It has a high rainfall which powers some of the
hydroelectric projects, and the earnings from mineral activities are
significant. The West Coast Range has some of the better known West Coast mines
on its slopes – notably the Mount Lyell mine.
The Southwest region, in
particular, is densely forested, the National Park holding some of the last
temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere. Management of such an isolated
and inaccessible area has been made easier and more reliable with the advent of
satellite imaging.
Most of the population lives on
and around the coastal rivers – the Derwent and Huon Rivers in the south, the
Tamar and Mersey Rivers in the north.
The temperate climate (Tasmania
is the only Australian state with any land south of the 40th parallel), rustic
environment and numerous historic features make Tasmania a popular choice for
retirees who prefer a temperate climate over a tropical one such as Queensland.
Tasmania receives a large amount of snow in the highlands throughout the winter
months, but very little in significantly populated areas.
Tasmania is separated from the
Australian mainland by Bass Strait, one of the roughest bodies of water in the
world, primarily a result of its shallow depth (typically around 60 m) and its
susceptibility to Indian and Southern Ocean currents and swells.
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article is licensed under the
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It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tasmania"
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