TASMANIA IN BRIEF
Name: The Island State of Australia is a famous
tourist destination for visitors from all over the World. It was first discovered by a Dutch explorer "Abel Tasman"
and originally named as Van Diemen Land.
Tasmania is also called "Tassie" for short, by many Australians.
The other names are "Apple Island", "Treasure Island". Because of its delicious apples and historical
and natural heritage.
Location and Connection: Tasmania is 240 km south of the Australian mainland. It is located between 40 and 43.3 meridians of the southern
hemisphare surrounded by the Southern Ocean (to the south and west),Tasman Sea (to the east) and Bass Strait (to the north).
Bass Strait is approximately 30-90 metre deep.
It
takes 55 minutes fly from Melbourne (most southern city) to Launceston (second largest city after Hobart) and 90 minutes to
Hobart (capital of the State). So the shortest and the cheapest flight connection (usually) from the mainland to Tassie
is Melbourne - Launceston.
Size and Landscape:Tasmania is comparible in size with the Republic of Ireland, West Virginia (USA) and Hokkaido (Japan).
Despite being
a small island, Tasmania boosts eight mountains that are greater than 1,500 m in heights and 28 mountains that are more than
1,220 m. high. Tasmania has more variation in landscape over short distances than any other part of Australia and New Zealand
due to topographical variations such as mountains, hills and valleys.
It has its own unique flora and wildlife different than the Australian
mainland and the bright blue sky (well, when not cloudy of course) that you might not have seen before as well as the cleanest
air in the World. Hobart has the longest daylight in Australia.
Despite its size, Tasmania has different landscapes in the different regions-Eastern and Western regions are quite
different, Midland plateau, Huon Region (south),Tasman Peninsula, North are all diffrent which also affect the climate.
Food:Tassie is also well known for its fine food,locally grown produce,cherries,orchards,crops,deliciously
baked breads,salmon, trout,oysters,mussels,cheese and award winning cool climate wine.
First agricultural fair, in Australian history,
was held in Ross, a midland village which is famous for its carved stone bridge, Wool Centre,colonial buildings and historical
Ross Bakery.
Climate: In general, Tasmania's climate is a temperate maritime climate results from
the absortion and storage of heat by the surrounding ocean and sea,causing mild winters and cool summer.
The topography of Tasmania affects the wind intensity, rainfall and other
aspects of Tasmania's climate.The prevailing westernly winds are laden with moisture as they are forced to rise over the
western,southern and central highlands.The winds cool and release much of their moisture before reaching eastern Tasmania.This
pattern occurs most of the year,producing various amounts of rain,mostly during winter and early spring.It also results in
often cloudy and wet conditions in the south and the west.The north and east of Tasmania are much drier.
Snow can occur in highland areas above 900 metres at any time of the year.The
heaviest falls tend to be between July and August. Seasons in Tasmania:
Summer: December to February
Autumn:
March to May
Winter: June-August
Spring: September to November
Population: It
is estimated that there were between 5,000 and 10,000 aboriginal people before the arrival of Europeans.European settlement
began in 1803 .Today the population of Tasmania is roughly 500,000 of which 200,000 living in greater Hobart, 100,000 in Launceston,
27,000 in Devonport and 23,000 in Burnie. The rest of the population spreat out in small towns and villages.
Did you know?: The World's first Green political party
was born in Tasmania in 1972-The United Tasmania Group.
How to get there:
Tasmania is only 240 km away from the mainland Australia.
There are average 3 flights daily from Melbourne and Sydney (also connected to other
cities) to Hobart and Launceston by Virgin Blue Airlines www.virginblue.com.au , Jetstar www.jetstar.com.au and Qantas www.qantas.com.au. Also Singapore based Tiger Airways www.tigerairways.com fly to Hobart and Launceston daily from Melbourne and have connecting flights from/to some Asian destinations via Singapore.
Island
is also connected by the Sea on a ferry boat called Spirit of Tasmania, a luxury vessel
which runs daily between Melbourne and Devonport (Northern City of Tasmania). www.spiritoftasmania.com.au .
Taswegians are friendly
and easy going people and Tasmania is one of the safest place in Australia or maybe in the World?
