Australia and Oceania is the tiniest part of the world. It includes the mainland of the same name and about ten thousand small islands scattered across the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean. The total area of the region exceeds 8.5 million square kilometers. About 34 million inhabitants live on its territory.
General description of Australia
Australia is an island that is also the smallest continent on the planet. Due to the very dry climate, deserts and dry savannahs predominate here. The length of the coastline, taking into account Tasmania and other coastal islands, is almost 60 thousand kilometers. In the north, the continent is washed by the Arafura and Timor Seas, in the south and west by the Indian Ocean, and in the east by the Tasman and Coral Seas. Since the mainland began to be actively settled only in the twentieth century, its territory has been little developed. The population density here is just over two people per square kilometer. Australia is the only continent in the world thatoccupied by only one state. It was formed in the early twentieth century, separated from Britain, and is now one of the most developed and we althy on the planet.
The country is divided into two territories and six states. The first administrative unit includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territories. The states of Australia are Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South and Western Australia, and Tasmania. The last of these will be discussed in more detail later.
Geographic location
The state includes not only the island of the same name, but also several other small landmasses - Macquarie, Flinders and King. Its capital is the second largest city in the state, which is called Hobart. Speaking about where Tasmania is located, it should be noted that the island is located at a distance of 240 kilometers from the mainland (south of it), from which it is separated by the Bass Strait. Its eastern part is washed by the Tasman Sea, and the southern and western by the Indian Ocean. It should be noted that the island is a structural continuation of the Great Australian Dividing Range, and a large number of bays have formed on its shores.
Opening
Tasmania was discovered long before Australia was colonized. The island was visited in 1642 by an expedition led by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman. These were the first Europeans who visited here. Then this land was named after the governor-general of the East Indies Dutch colony - Van Diemen. According toaccording to some historical information, it was he who sent this expedition to search for new territories.
Development
Like other states of Australia, the island began to be settled by the British colonialists in the early nineteenth century. The first British landed here in 1802. The very next year it was proclaimed the second British colony in Australia. Then it was decided to turn this area into an island of convicts. The first famous settlement on its territory was Port Arthur, built in 1830 by the forces of prisoners. Its territory was divided into sectors and carefully guarded, because people who committed serious crimes lived here. A hospital, a temple and a post office were equipped for them. The prison was closed only in the seventies of the nineteenth century. In 1856, the island of Tasmania received its current name. The corresponding decision was made by the British government. It was formed into a separate state in 1901.
Population
The state is home to about half a million people. Most of them are considered to be Anglo-Australians, in other words, descendants of British immigrants. Only one percent of the local population is indigenous. According to historical data, local Aborigines have been living here for about 40 thousand years. There are also Indians, Chinese and some other nationalities on the island. English is considered the official language here. At the same time, it should be noted that it has a peculiar local accent. The local people, including the natives, are mostlyprofess Christianity. The overwhelming majority of them are Catholics, followed by the parishioners of the English Church, Protestants and Orthodox. Almost 4% of the population professes Buddhism and Islam.
Climate
Australia and Oceania is considered one of the driest regions on the planet. There is very little rainfall in their area. Despite this, Tasmanians have the opportunity to enjoy all seasons. This is due to the fact that most of its territory is characterized by a temperate climate. It was formed under the influence of the ocean and seas surrounding the island. Thus, there is neither severe cold nor scorching heat here. It should also be noted that the state has the most rainfall in Australia. In the western part of Tasmania, the average annual number is 1000 mm, and in the eastern part - 600 mm.
Spring on the island falls between September and November. The weather at this time is mostly cold and windy. The average temperature in the summer season is 23 degrees Celsius. There are periods when the thermometer rises to the mark of 30 degrees. However, this is typical only for areas remote from the coastline. Autumn in Tasmania is a relatively calm season, characterized by cool nights and fairly warm, sunny days. It should be noted that this time is considered optimal for visiting the state by tourists. In winter, the weather is usually frosty and clear. It snows quite often. Whatever it was, at this time the air here is considered one of the cleanest on Earth.
Nature
The main feature that distinguishes the nature of Tasmania is that it was formed several million years ago and has survived to this day in this form. In many ways, scientists attribute this to the peculiarities of the formation of the island. Approximately 250 million years ago, together with Australia, it was part of the vast continent known as Gondwana. Then it occupied about half of the planet's surface, mostly covered with rainforests. As of today, the situation has not changed much. Now the territory of the island consists of numerous uplands and plateaus. Almost half of its area is covered with impenetrable forests, most of which still remain unexplored. It should be noted that this is one of the last such corners on Earth.
On the territory of the island, rare representatives of flora and fauna have survived to this day, which have long died out in all other regions of the planet. Among the vegetation in the local jungle, you can see eucalyptus, cypress and spinous anthrotaxis, southern beeches and other trees. In addition, it is impossible not to note the presence of rather rare species of lichens and mosses. The local forests have become a habitat for many representatives of the fauna found nowhere else. The most famous and exotic animals of Tasmania are koalas, dingoes, little penguins, opossums, echidnas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, marsupial wolves and others. In addition to them, there are about 150 species of birds on the island. The most rare among them is the orange-bellied parrot, which in Australiaprotected by law. Local rivers and lakes are teeming with trout.
Economy
The island's economy is based on mining and agriculture. In particular, the region is rich in minerals such as zinc, tin, iron and copper. In addition, forestry is at a high level of development here. Since the state has a temperate climate, as mentioned above, favorable conditions are created here for the development of vineyards and orchards, as well as for the cultivation of many crops. Approximately twenty percent of the available land is classified as national parks and reserves, so it is impossible to engage in agriculture on them. Like the rest of Australia, Tasmania boasts a well-developed tourism sector. Its formation from 2001 to the present day is facilitated by favorable economic conditions in the country, including cheap plane tickets and new ferries that provide transportation to the island from the mainland. Many local residents work in government organizations. Another major employer here is The Federal Group, which owns several hotels and casinos, and is also involved in wood processing.
Capital
The state and the island of Tasmania have their own capital. It is the oldest city in Australia after Sydney, Hobart. It was founded in 1804. As of today, its population is just over 210 thousand inhabitants. Cityis not only the administrative, but also the financial center of Tasmania, in which centuries-old traditions are harmoniously intertwined with a modern energetic lifestyle. Hobart is located in the southeastern part of the island at the mouth of the Derwent River. It is from here that Australian and French expeditions depart for Antarctica.
Attractions
Due to the presence of the so-called convict page in the history of the island of Tasmania, sights of this origin are of great interest to tourists. No wonder that every year thousands of travelers visit the former fortress city and prison at the same time - Port Arthur Historic Site. Many popular tours are connected to local natural areas and parks. On the territory of the South-Western Reserve, you can take an air tour, during which tourists have the opportunity to admire the untrodden tropical forests, waterfalls and gorges. The island also has its own wine-growing region with its large factories.
One of the main attractions of the capital is the Salamanca Arts Center, which houses numerous organizations, including art studios, galleries and concert halls. Quite popular in Hobart is the Museum of Ancient World Monuments, located surrounded by vineyards at a distance of 12 kilometers from the city limits. Local buildings are also of great cultural importance. It should be noted that more than ninety of them are protected by the National Society for the Preservation of Monuments.
Touristattractiveness
The island of Tasmania boasts a well-developed tourist infrastructure. In its most visited cities and regions, you can easily rent a hotel room, and students are offered a good selection of hostels. It should be noted that there are a large number of car rental stations. In local souvenir shops, tourists can buy any national amulets and souvenirs. In general, on the island you can find entertainment for almost every taste - from ordinary excursions to diving. The main thing to keep in mind is that the restaurants and shops here are closed on weekends.
Conclusion
Summing up, it should be noted that the island of Tasmania is a very beautiful place, a significant part of whose territory is occupied by national parks. All of them are under state protection. There is almost everything that may interest a modern traveler - primeval rainforests, hills, plains, waterfalls and the purest sea water.
