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.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tasmania

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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'.

Related Topics:
Temperate climate - England

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Geographically, Tasmania is similar to New Zealand to its east.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 region is the Central Highlands area, which covers most of the central 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.

Related Topics:
Central Highlands - Midlands

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The West Coast, being populated and having historically over a 150 years of mineral exploration and exploitation, is a vital region to the state. It has a high rainfall which powers some of the hydro-electric scheme, and the earnings from mineral activities are significant. The West Coast Range has some of the more well known West Coast mines on its slopes - notably the Mount Lyell mine.

Related Topics:
West Coast Range - Mount Lyell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The South-West 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.

Related Topics:
National Park - Southern Hemisphere - 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.

Related Topics:
Derwent - Huon River - Tamar - Mersey River

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The temperate climate (only Australian state with any land below the 40th parallel) rustic environment and numerous historic features (for example, Richmond Bridge in south-eastern Tasmania is the oldest bridge in Australia).

Related Topics:
Parallel - Richmond Bridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tasmania is a popular choice for retirees who prefer a temperate climate over a tropical one such as Queensland.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~