Tasmania

The island of Tasmania, an Australian state, is located 240 km (150 miles) south of the eastern portion of the continent, being separated from it by Bass Strait. Tasmania has a population of 456,652 (census 2001) and an area of 68,332 km² (26 383 square miles). As at 31 March 2003, Tasmania's estimated resident population was 476,199. Tasmania has the nickname Apple Isle due to the large number of apples grown there.

Events

In order to foster tourism, the state government encourages or supports several different annual events in and around the island. The best known of these would be the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race http://rolexsydneyhobart.com, starting on Boxing Day in Sydney and usually arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart around three to four days later, during the Hobart Summer Festival http://www.hobartcity.com.au/hsf/.

Related Topics:
Sydney to Hobart - Yacht Race - Boxing Day - Hobart Summer Festival

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The Targa Tasmania road rally http://www.targa.org.au, usually held in late April or early May, attracts world class rally drivers and is staged all over the state, over five days.

Related Topics:
Targa Tasmania - Road rally

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Agfest http://www.agfest.com.au is a three day agricultural show held at Carrick (just west of Launceston) in early May, and despite its agricultural focus it attracts city and country residents - 75000 people in 2004. Other major shows include the Royal Hobart Show and Royal Launceston Show, held in October of each year.

Related Topics:
Agfest - Carrick - Royal Hobart Show - Royal Launceston Show

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A recent addition to the state has been the 10 Days on the Island arts festival - however it has drawn criticism from environmental groups for its acceptance of sponsorship from forestry company Gunns.

Related Topics:
10 Days on the Island - Festival - Gunns

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The Basin Concert was a now defunct music concert held at the Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Current festivals include Gone South http://www.gonesouth.com.au, held four times since 1999, and the Falls Festival http://www.fallsfestival.com, a Victoria event now held in both Victoria and Tasmania on New Year's Eve.

Related Topics:
Basin Concert - Cataract Gorge - Gone South - Falls Festival - Victoria - New Year's Eve

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The Antarctic Midwinter Festival http://www.antarctic-tasmania.info celebrates Hobart's special connection with the Antarctic, on the winter solstice in June each year.

Related Topics:
Antarctic Midwinter Festival - Winter solstice

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