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| The ] of '''Tasmania''', an ], is located 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of the eastern portion of the ]. Tasmania has a population of 456,652 (census 2001) and an area of 68,332 square kilometers (26,383 square miles). | The ] of '''Tasmania''', an ], is located 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of the eastern portion of the ], being separated from it by the ]. Tasmania has a population of 456,652 (census 2001) and an area of 68,332 square kilometers (26,383 square miles). | ||
| The ] and largest city is ], and other major population centres include ], ] and ]. | The ] and largest city is ], and other major population centres include ], ] and ]. | ||
| The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a ] was in ] by the ] explorer ] who named the island ]. Captain ] also sighted the island in ]. A ] settlement was established at Hobart Cove in ], and shortly afterwards a harsh penal colony was established at ]. | It is believed that the island was joined to the mainland until the end of the most recent ] approximately 10,000 years ago. The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a ] was in ] by the ] explorer ] who named the island ]. Captain ] also sighted the island in ]. A ] settlement was established at Hobart Cove in ], and shortly afterwards a harsh penal colony was established at ]. | ||
| Tasmania once possessed an ], the ], and evidence indicates their presence |
Tasmania once possessed an ], the ], and evidence indicates their presence in the territory, later to become an island, at least 35,000 years ago. At the time of British settlement the indigenous population has been estimated at 5000, but through persecution and ] the ] (some mixed-blood descendants still survive). The impact of introduced diseases, prior to the first European estimates of the size Tasmania's population, means that the original indigeneous population could have been noticeably larger than 5000. The last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine was ] who died in 1872. | ||
| Tasmania's main industries are ], including ], ], ] and ], ], ], and tourism. There has been a significant decline in ] in recent years, leading to a substantial drain of the island's young adult population to mainland Australia, especially to major urban centers such as ] and ]. | Tasmania's main industries are ], including ], ], ] and ], ], ], and tourism. There has been a significant decline in ] in recent years, leading to a substantial drain of the island's young adult population to mainland Australia, especially to major urban centers such as ] and ]. | ||
| Tasmania's relatively low population density and temperate, maritime climate means that it is rich in unspoilt, ecologically valuable regions. Proposals for local economic development have therefore been faced with strong requirements for environmental sensitivity, or outright opposition. In particular a proposal for hydroelectric power generation proved controversial in the early 1980s. | |||
| Although seldom in the news, world attention turned to Tasmania on April 29, 1996. A lone gunman opened fire, killing 35 tourists and residents and injuring 37 others in an incident now known as the ]. | Although seldom in the news, world attention turned to Tasmania on April 29, 1996. A lone gunman opened fire, killing 35 tourists and residents and injuring 37 others in an incident now known as the ]. | ||
Revision as of 14:06, 23 January 2003
The island of Tasmania, an Australian state, is located 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of the eastern portion of the continent, being separated from it by the Bass Strait. Tasmania has a population of 456,652 (census 2001) and an area of 68,332 square kilometers (26,383 square miles).
The capital and largest city is Hobart, and other major population centres include Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
It is believed that the island was joined to the mainland until the end of the most recent Ice Age approximately 10,000 years ago. The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was in 1642 by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who named the island Van Diemens Land. Captain James_Cook also sighted the island in 1777. A British settlement was established at Hobart Cove in 1803, and shortly afterwards a harsh penal colony was established at Port Arthur, Tasmania.
Tasmania once possessed an indigenous population, the Tasmanian Aborigines, and evidence indicates their presence in the territory, later to become an island, at least 35,000 years ago. At the time of British settlement the indigenous population has been estimated at 5000, but through persecution and disease the population was eliminated (some mixed-blood descendants still survive). The impact of introduced diseases, prior to the first European estimates of the size Tasmania's population, means that the original indigeneous population could have been noticeably larger than 5000. The last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine was Truganini who died in 1872.
Tasmania's main industries are mining, including copper, zinc, tin and iron, agriculture, forestry, and tourism. There has been a significant decline in manufacturing in recent years, leading to a substantial drain of the island's young adult population to mainland Australia, especially to major urban centers such as Melbourne and Sydney.
Tasmania's relatively low population density and temperate, maritime climate means that it is rich in unspoilt, ecologically valuable regions. Proposals for local economic development have therefore been faced with strong requirements for environmental sensitivity, or outright opposition. In particular a proposal for hydroelectric power generation proved controversial in the early 1980s.
Although seldom in the news, world attention turned to Tasmania on April 29, 1996. A lone gunman opened fire, killing 35 tourists and residents and injuring 37 others in an incident now known as the Port Arthur Massacre.