TASMANIA

Tasmania Tasmania is an Australian island and state Tasmania is an Australian island and state Australianstate Australianstate The state includes the island of Tasmania – the 26th largest island in the world – and the surrounding islands. The state includes the island of Tasmania – the 26th largest island in the world – and the surrounding islands. 26th largest island in the worldsurrounding islands 26th largest island in the worldsurrounding islands

Geography The island is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and separated from mainland Australia by Bass Strait The island is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and separated from mainland Australia by Bass StraitBass StraitBass Strait As the island has been volcanically inactive in recent geological times, Tasmania has many rounded smooth mountain ranges, making it the most mountainous state in Australia As the island has been volcanically inactive in recent geological times, Tasmania has many rounded smooth mountain ranges, making it the most mountainous state in Australia

Geography Much of Tasmania is still densely forested, with the Southwest National Park and neighbouring areas holding some of the last temperate rain forests in the Southern Hemisphere Much of Tasmania is still densely forested, with the Southwest National Park and neighbouring areas holding some of the last temperate rain forests in the Southern Hemisphere Southwest National Park Southern Hemisphere Southwest National Park Southern Hemisphere

Rivers Tasmania has a great number of rivers, with almost all dammed at some point to provide enough hydroelectricity for the entire state's needs. Tasmania has a great number of rivers, with almost all dammed at some point to provide enough hydroelectricity for the entire state's needs.

Flora Tasmania has extremely diverse vegetation, from the heavily grazed grassland of the dry Midlands to the tall evergreen eucalypt forest, alpine heathlands and large areas of cool temperate rainforests and moorlands in the rest of the state. Tasmania has extremely diverse vegetation, from the heavily grazed grassland of the dry Midlands to the tall evergreen eucalypt forest, alpine heathlands and large areas of cool temperate rainforests and moorlands in the rest of the state. extremely diverseeucalyptalpine temperate rainforests extremely diverseeucalyptalpine temperate rainforests

Flora Tasmania is also home to some of the tallest and oldest trees of the world. While individual Huon pines are believed to be more than 2,000 years old Tasmania is also home to some of the tallest and oldest trees of the world. While individual Huon pines are believed to be more than 2,000 years oldHuon pinesHuon pines

Fauna Tasmanian Tiger Tasmanian Tiger The island of Tasmania was home to the Thylacine, a marsupial which resembled a wild dog. Known colloquially as the Tasmanian Tiger for the distinctive striping across its back, it became extinct in mainland Australia much earlier because of competition by the dingo, introduced in prehistoric times The island of Tasmania was home to the Thylacine, a marsupial which resembled a wild dog. Known colloquially as the Tasmanian Tiger for the distinctive striping across its back, it became extinct in mainland Australia much earlier because of competition by the dingo, introduced in prehistoric times Thylacinemarsupialdingo Thylacinemarsupialdingo

Physical history It is believed that the island was joined to the mainland of Australia until the end of the last glacial period approximately 10,000 years ago. It is believed that the island was joined to the mainland of Australia until the end of the last glacial period approximately 10,000 years ago. Australialast glacial period Australialast glacial period Tasmania has the world's largest areas of dolerite, with many distinctive mountains and cliffs formed from this rock type Tasmania has the world's largest areas of dolerite, with many distinctive mountains and cliffs formed from this rock type

Tasmania is promoted as the natural state and the "island of inspiration" owing to its large and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Almost 37% of Tasmania lies in reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites national parksWorld Heritage Sites national parksWorld Heritage Sites

Indigenous people Tasmania was first inhabited by the Tasmanian Aborigines. Evidence indicates their presence in the region, later to become an island, at at least years ago.[12] Rising sea levels cut Tasmania off from mainland Australia about 10,000 years ago. Tasmania was first inhabited by the Tasmanian Aborigines. Evidence indicates their presence in the region, later to become an island, at at least years ago.[12] Rising sea levels cut Tasmania off from mainland Australia about 10,000 years ago.[12]

Government Tasmania has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian Constitution regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth and prescribes which powers each level of government enjoys. Tasmania has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian Constitution regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth and prescribes which powers each level of government enjoys. Australian Constitution Australian Constitution

Culture Cuisine Cuisine Tasmania now has a wide range of restaurants. Scattered across Tasmania are many vineyards Tasmania now has a wide range of restaurants. Scattered across Tasmania are many vineyards

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, starting on Boxing Day in Sydney and usually arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart around three to four days later, during the Taste of Tasmania, an annual food and wine festival. 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, starting on Boxing Day in Sydney and usually arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart around three to four days later, during the Taste of Tasmania, an annual food and wine festival.Sydney to Hobart Yacht RaceBoxing Day Constitution DockTaste of TasmaniaSydney to Hobart Yacht RaceBoxing Day Constitution DockTaste of Tasmania

Event Other events include the road rally Targa Tasmania which attracts world-class rally drivers and is staged all over the state, over five days Other events include the road rally Targa Tasmania which attracts world-class rally drivers and is staged all over the state, over five daysroad rally Targa Tasmaniaroad rally Targa Tasmania