Tasmania, the smallest of Australia's six states, is an island lying south of the
Australian mainland, surrounded by large expanses of water: Bass Strait to the
North, the Tasman Sea to the East, and the Indian Ocean to the West and
South. Tasmania has an area of 68,300 square kilometres - about the same
size as Taiwan. Its population is approximately 470 000. Separated from the
Australian mainland by the 320 kilometre width of Bass Strait, Tasmania has its
own unique character, and many of the island's plants and animals are
found nowhere else. The island has a distinctive physical presence - regal
mountain ranges, misty rain forests, wild river rapids, undulating forested hills,
expansive grazing lands and sandy surf beaches.

Tasmania is the most mountainous of the Australian States. The island is
dominated by a central plateau sloping away to the south-east from an
average height of 1000 m. The beauty of this area is encompassed in the
hundreds of lakes and rivers that are mostly accessible only by foot. To the
east of the plateau lies an area known as the Midlands, one of Tasmania's
richest agricultural regions. Along the Western shore, The Tasmanian coastline
is very rugged, interspersed with sandy beaches stretching in lengths up to 90
miles. The coast from the east to the mid-north has a granite base, with
brilliant white beaches and aqua-blue water, creating a favourite holiday
destination for Tasmanians and visitors alike. Tasmania is an idyllic and unique
island, with a sense of space and wilderness that is rarely experienced in the
rest of the world.

HISTORY & HERITAGE

Aboriginal people have populated Tasmania for at least 20,000 years. The first
European to visit the island of Tasmania was a Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman,
in 1642. He named it Van Diemen's Land, after the governor of the Dutch East
Indies. Great Britain claimed the island in 1788, and in 1803 British convicts
became the first European settlers. After the arrival of some free settlers, Van
Diemen's Land was made a separate British colony in 1825. In 1855 the colony
was granted responsible government, and in 1856 the name Tasmania was
adopted.
Tasmania became a foundation constituent state of the Commonwealth of
Australia in 1901. More than 70,000 convicts were sent to Tasmania from
Britain in the first half of the 19th century. Remnants of this past have been
well persevered, from convict-built mansions of the gentry to stately public
buildings, rustic farm worker's cottages, rows of sandstone warehouses,
seafaring relics and whole townships of late 19th and early 20th century
buildings that have changed little over the years. In terms of Architectural
heritage, Tasmania has retained more of the past than elsewhere in Australia
The transportation of convicts ended in 1853, by which time Tasmania had
become a largely agrarian economy, with wool, meat, crops, fruit and timber

being shipped out to world markets in increasing quantities. The early years of
the 20th century saw the "hydro-electrification" of Tasmania- the use of its
abundant water resources to produce cheap plentiful power. This, in turn,
produced something of an industrial revolution, attracting major new
industries. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's industrial development took on a
new thrust - the search for quality, value added products in such areas as
furniture, precision engineering, specialist shipbuilding, science and
technology.

THE CLIMATE

The Tasmanian climate is classified as maritime temperate, which means
extreme weather conditions are rare. In summer the average maximum
temperatures across the State range between 20 degrees and 24 degrees
Celsius; in winter the minimum temperature is rarely below zero. The State's
prevailing westerly winds the Roaring Forties blow in off the Southern Ocean,
providing reliable rainfall throughout the year. There are four seasons in
southern Australia. Summer is from December to February, autumn from
March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September
to November.
When much of the Northern Hemisphere is under snow,
Tasmania, on latitude 40 degrees south, is enjoying mild summer days, cool
nights, and more than 15 hours of daylight each day. Winter daylight is much
shorter than in summer and all year round daylight comes and goes more
gradually than in the tropics. We call this period of half-light "twilight".
Hobart, in the south of the State, is nearer the equator than Madrid and its
winter is warmer than any European capital. In fact, it has a perfect
temperate climate, coupled with the second lowest rainfall for an Australian
capital city.
Tasmania generally enjoys a temperate, comfortable climate and plenty of
sunshine.

THE PEOPLE

Tasmania's population of 470,000 is divided almost equally between the north
and the south of the State. Most Tasmanians live in coastal cities and towns,
and farming districts in the midlands. About 40 per cent of Tasmanians live in
and around Hobart in the south (pop 190,000). The population pattern has
resulted from geographical, historical and commercial factors which have led
to the development of a number of relatively large centres along the island's
coastline.
In the north of the State, regional cities serve as centres for the agricultural
and industrial activities typical of the region and include Launceston (pop
95,000), Devonport (pop 26,000) and Burnie (pop 21,000). Australia is a
multicultural country, and the Tasmanian population reflects this diversity. The
original inhabitants were the Aborigines.
From the first European settlement by the English in 1788 until this century,
those who came here were predominantly from England and Ireland. This
century, Australia has accepted migrants and refugees from many different
countries, so that now there are a great variety of peoples in Australia. These
people range from European to Asian, Middle Eastern and South American.

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WILDERNESS & NATIONAL PARKS

Tasmania has a higher proportion of its land area dedicated to wilderness
areas and national parks than any other State. World Heritage Areas, national
parks and forest reserves cover one fifth of the island. World Heritage Areas in
western, central and south-western Tasmania contain a pristine area of
stunning beauty - powerful rivers, spectacular gorges of ancient river systems,
alpine heath lands, buttongrass plains and imposing mountain ranges. There
are stands of slow-growing Huon pine trees, up to 2000 years old, among the
oldest living organisms on Earth, and magnificent examples of huge
eucalyptus trees that rank with the world's tallest flowering plants. The
wilderness areas have more than 1000 kilometres of walking tracks and roads,

as well as impenetrable tracts. In the South-West - one of the last great
wilderness areas in the world - you can walk for a day or a week, perhaps
treading where no person has been before. There are opportunities to raft the

rapids of Australia last great wild river system, the Franklin in the central west,
or fish some of the world's best fly-fishing waters amidst thousands of highland
lakes and crystal clear streams. All over Tasmania there are areas in national
parks for camping and bushwalking to suit all tastes, with short walks and
opportunities for sightseeing, picnicking, nature study, bird watching, trout
fishing, boating, swimming, and photography

THE "CLEAN & GREEN STATE"

Tasmania's unique Wilderness World Heritage environment has become an
icon, setting the island apart. Tasmania is increasingly seen as a "clean, green
state of excellence". The image has assisted Tasmanian agricultural producers

to successfully enter lucrative international gourmet food markets selling
Tasmania's "Clean and Green" products. Local food and beverage products
use wilderness imagery to gain a competitive marketing edge. The island is
seen on the world stage as clean and unspoilt by either over-development or
pollution. The arts and design industries have also profited from the State's
"Clean & Green" image, with wood crafts and furniture making in particular
gaining world recognition for their use of Tasmania's speciality timbers. The
multiplier effect has provided business to the printing, packaging and retail
sectors. Tourism is another growth industry exploiting Tasmania's pristine
environment. With over 20% of the State set aside for its natural resource
value, that land has become "valuable" for its eco-tourism significance.
Businesses offering forest walks, cave tours, rafting, and fly fishing are
flourishing.

INDUSTRY

Tasmania has a diversified economy. Agriculture, Mining, Forestry,
Manufacturing and Tourism have traditionally been the major industries. The
production of fine foods, wines and beverages is fast becoming a major new
industry, as is the art, craft and cottage industry sector.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Tasmania is well endowed with natural resources. About 40 per cent of the
State is covered by forest and most of the timber cut is native hardwood, but
plantations of exotic softwoods are being established. As well as providing raw
materials for the building and construction industries, the forests are exploited
for paper production (newsprint, fine and writing papers), wood pulp,
hardboard, and plywood. Agriculture is an important part of Tasmania's
economy, and agricultural establishments occupy about 29 per cent of
Tasmania's total land area. Apples are a significant crop.
Tasmania was once known as the "Apple Isle". Vegetable growing, mainly for
the processing industry, is well established in the north-east and north-west
regions. Tasmania produces about 25 per cent of the Australian potato crop,
and hops, peas and French beans are among other crops. In recent years,
new livestock types and crops have been introduced. These include goats,
mainly for cashmere and mohair fibre production, and deer for the venison
market. Leading alternative crops in commercial production include oil
poppies for the pharmaceutical industry and lavender. Other essential oil
crops under development include peppermint, fennel, boronia and
pyrethrum. Fishing is another important primary industry and the annual
catch includes scale fish, shark, scallops, oysters, abalone, and crayfish
(southern rock lobster).

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Abundance of high country and rainfall have created ideal conditions for
hydro-electric power generation and the ready availability of cheap power
has been a major factor in determining the development of many industries
in Tasmania. Manufacturing remains one of the main contributors to the local
economy. Manufacturing industries produce a wide range of goods,
including food, textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and paper products, and
chemicals. The State enjoys a world-wide reputation in such areas as
communications technology, precision engineering, transport equipment,
industrial machines and large-scale catamaran car ferries.
A Tasmanian-built aluminium catamaran holds the speed record for a
passenger ship crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.. TOURISM Tasmania's high
quality image has combined with its historic and wilderness attractions to
create a popular tourist destination. As a result, the Tasmanian tourist market is
a significant and growing sector of the economy. Tasmania is known in
Australia as the "Holiday Isle", because so many Australians choose to spend
their holidays here.

QUALITY FOOD & WINES

The mild climate, good quality water, highly fertile soils, isolation and clean
atmosphere make Tasmania ideal for temperate climate agriculture. In recent
years, Tasmania has become known to international food connoisseurs as
Australia's gourmet island, and Tasmanian food and beverage products have
achieved overwhelming success in niche markets throughout the world. The
products speak for themselves. Premium cool climate wines and a range of
fine beers, ales and ciders, fruit juices, mineral waters and rainwater.
Succulent fresh and processed seafood - like Atlantic salmon, oysters, abalone
and rock lobster - farmed or fished in cool, clear and unpolluted coastal
waters. Speciality meat products and game, gourmet soft and hard cheeses,
and world famous Tasmanian honey.

CRAFTS & COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

The unhurried lifestyle, clear light and abundant raw materials inspire artists
and craftspeople whose timber, glass, ceramic and fibre products are
internationally acclaimed. In Tasmania, there are more then 100 commercial
craft outlets selling goods which highlight the island State's unique timbers,
wood and other natural fibres. The range of products reflects the creative
inspiration of the environment and the sturdy tradition of craft in
home-building, boat-building and furniture making handed down by the
island's colonial pioneers.
 

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