Geography of Tasmania
Encyclopedia
The geography of Tasmania is rugged and varied. Tasmania
is an island of temperate climate, so similar in some ways to pre-industrial England
that it was referred to by some English colonists as "a Southern England". The bigger settlements are however located in regions where the rainfall is much lower than that of England.
Geographically, Tasmania is similar to New Zealand
to the east. As Tasmania has been volcanically inactive in recent geological times, Tasmania has 'rounded smooth' mountain ranges similar to mainland Australia, unlike most of New Zealand. The most mountainous region is the Central Highlands
area, which cover most of the central west parts of the state. The central east area (the Midlands
) is fairly flat, and is predominantly used for agriculture, although farming activity is also scattered around the state.
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
.
Most of the population lives on and around the coastal rivers – the Derwent and Huon River
s in the south, the Tamar and Mersey Rivers in the north.
The temperate climate (it is the only Australian state with any land below the 40th parallel south
), rustic environment and numerous historic features has made Tasmania a popular choice for retirees who prefer a temperate climate over a tropical one such as Queensland
.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
is an island of temperate climate, so similar in some ways to pre-industrial England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that it was referred to by some English colonists as "a Southern England". The bigger settlements are however located in regions where the rainfall is much lower than that of England.
Geographically, Tasmania is similar to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
to the east. As Tasmania has been volcanically inactive in recent geological times, Tasmania has 'rounded smooth' mountain ranges similar to mainland Australia, unlike most of New Zealand. The most mountainous region is the Central Highlands
Central Highlands, Tasmania
The Central Highlands Council is a Local Government Area in the central highland region of Tasmania. It is the second largest Local Government Area of Tasmania, after the West Coast, and the least densely populated, with only 0.3 people per square kilometre....
area, which cover most of the central west parts of the state. The central east area (the Midlands
Midlands, Tasmania
The Midlands is a region of Tasmania between Launceston and Hobart. It also refers to the relatively flat, dry agricultural area, so named because it covers the region between the two cities. Its name is probably also influenced from the Midlands in the United Kingdom. It lends its name to the...
) is fairly flat, and is predominantly used for agriculture, although farming activity is also scattered around the state.
The South-West region, in particular, is densely forested, the National Park
Southwest National Park
The Southwest National Park is a national park located in the south-west of Tasmania, Australia. The park is Tasmania's largest and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area....
holding some of the last temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
. Management of such an isolated and inaccessible area has been made easier and more reliable with the advent of satellite imaging
Earth observation satellite
Earth observation satellites are satellites specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit, similar to reconnaissance satellites but intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc....
.
Most of the population lives on and around the coastal rivers – the Derwent and Huon River
Huon River
The Huon River is the fourth largest river in Tasmania, Australia. It is 170 km in length, and runs through the fertile Huon Valley. From Scotts Peak Dam at Lake Pedder where it begins, it flows south-east to the Tahune Airwalk, where the Picton River joins, before heading through the rural...
s in the south, the Tamar and Mersey Rivers in the north.
The temperate climate (it is the only Australian state with any land below the 40th parallel south
40th parallel south
The 40th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 40 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean and South America....
), rustic environment and numerous historic features has made Tasmania a popular choice for retirees who prefer a temperate climate over a tropical one such as Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
Further reading
- Solomon, R. J. (1972) Tasmania Sydney : Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0207122830