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Tasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisation and lived for many years.Tasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisation
{{Australia state or territory |
Name = Tasmania |
Fullname = State of Tasmania |
Flag = Flag of Tasmania.svg |
CoatOfArms = Tasmania_coat_of_arms_small.jpg |
Map = Tasmania locator-MJC.png |
Motto = "Ubertas et Fidelitas" (Fertility and Faithfulness)|
Nickname = The Apple Isle|
Emblems = '''Flora''' - [[Tasmanian Blue Gum]]; '''Fauna''' - none|
Capital = [[Hobart]]|
ChiefType = Premier |
Chief = [[Paul Lennon]] |
ChiefParty = [[Australian Labor Party|ALP]] |
Viceroy = [[William Cox]] |
ViceroyType = Governor |
PostalAbbreviation = TAS |
AreaRank = 7<sup>th</sup> |
TotalArea = 90,758 |
LandArea = 68,401 |
WaterArea = 22,357 |
EntityAdjective = State |
GSP = $16,114 |
GSPYear = 2004-05 |
GSPRank = 7<sup>th</sup> |
GSPPerCapita = $33,243 |
GSPPerCapitaRank = 8<sup>th</sup> |
PercentWater = 24.63 |
PopulationRank = 6<sup>th</sup> |
Population = 484,700 |
PopulationYear = End of March 2005|
DensityRank = 4<sup>th</sup> |
Density = 7.09 |
HighestElev = [[Mount Ossa]] +1,617 m|
LowestElev =|
TimeZone = [[UTC+10]] (+11 [[Daylight Saving Time|DST]]) |
HouseSeats = 5 |
SenateSeats = 12 |
ISOCode = AU-TS |
Website = www.tas.gov.au
}}
The [[island]] of '''Tasmania''', an [[Australia|Australian state]], is located 200 km south of the eastern side of the [[continent]], being separated from it by [[Bass Strait]]. Tasmania has a population of 484,700 (March 2005, ABS) and an area of 68 332 km² (26,383 square miles). Tasmania promotes itself as the ''Natural State'' owing to its large, and relatively unspoilt, natural environment. 40% of Tasmania is formally in reserves, National Parks and [[World Heritage Site]]s.

The [[capital]] and largest city is [[Hobart]], which also encompasses the cities of [[Glenorchy, Tasmania|Glenorchy]] and [[Clarence, Tasmania|Clarence]]. Other major population centres include [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] in the north, and [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]] and [[Burnie, Tasmania|Burnie]] in the northwest.

The subantarctic [[Macquarie Island]] is also under the administration of the state.

==History==
{{main|History of Tasmania}}
===Physical prehistory===
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.

Much of the island is composed of Jurassic dolerite, a basaltic intrusion of magma that upwelled through other rock types and formed large columnar crystals as it cooled. Tasmania has the world's largest areas of dolerite, with many distinctive [[mountain]]s and [[cliff]]s formed from this rock type. The Central Plateau and the southeast portions of the island are mostly dolerite. [[Mount Wellington, Tasmania|Mt. Wellington]] above Hobart is a good example, with the Organ Pipes showing the distinct columns. In the southwest, [[Precambrian]] [[quartzite]]s are formed from very ancient sea sediments and form strikingly sharp ridges and ranges, such as Federation Peak or [[Frenchmans Cap, Tasmania|Frenchman's Cap]]. In the northeast, [[granite]]s can be seen at Freycinet. In the northwest and west, mineral rich [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerate]] rocks can be seen at Mt. Murchison near [[Rosebery, Tasmania|Rosebery]], or at [[Mount Owen, Tasmania|Mt. Owen]] near [[Queenstown, Tasmania|Queenstown]]. Also present in the south and northwest are [[limestone]]s in which some magnificent [[cave]]s can be found.

The quartzite and dolerite in the higher mountains show evidence of [[glaciation]] and much of Australia's glaciated landscape is found on the Central Plateau and the Southwest. The combination of these different rock types offers incredible scenery, much of it distinct from any other regions of the world.

===Indigenous people===
{{main|Tasmanian Aborigine}}
[[Image:Tasmanian tribes-MJC.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Map of the Tasmanian tribes, 1803]]

Tasmania was first inhabited by the Tasmanian Aborigines, and evidence indicates their presence in the region, later to become an island, at least 35,000 years ago (rising sea levels cut Tasmania off from mainland Australia about 10,000 years ago). The Aboriginal people in Tasmania were divided into nine main ethnic groups (see map). The indigenous population at the time of [[United Kingdom|British]] settlement in [[1803]] has been estimated at between 5,000 and 10,000 people, but through persecution (see [[Black War]] and [[Black Line]]) and [[disease]] the population had dwindled to 300 in [[1833]]. The entire indigenous population was moved to [[Flinders Island, Tasmania|Flinders Island]] by [[George Augustus Robinson]] at this time. [[Truganini]] (1812-1876) is generally recognised as the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine, although there is strong evidence that it was in fact [[Fanny Cochrane Smith]], who was born at Wybalena, and died in [[1905]].

===European arrival===
The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a [[European]] was on [[November 24]] [[1642]] by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] explorer [[Abel Tasman]] who named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt, after his sponsor, the Governor of the [[Dutch East Indies]]. The name was later shortened to [[Van Diemens Land]] by the British. Captain [[James Cook]] also sighted the island in [[1777]], and numerous other European seafarers made landfalls, adding a colourful array to the names of topographical features.

The first settlement was by the [[British Empire|British]] at [[Risdon Cove]] on the eastern bank of the [[Derwent River, Tasmania|Derwent]] estuary in [[1803]], by a small party sent from [[Sydney]], under Lt. John Bowen for the purpose of preventing the French from claiming the island. An alternative settlement was established by Captain David Collins 5 km to the south in 1804 in [[Sullivan's Cove, Tasmania|Sullivan's Cove]] on the western side of the Derwent, where fresh water was more plentiful. The latter settlement became known as Hobart Town or Hobarton, later shortened to Hobart, after the British Colonial Secretary of the time, Lord Hobart. The settlement at Risdon was later abandoned.

The early settlers were mostly convicts and their military guards, with the task of developing [[agriculture]] and other industries. Numerous other [[convict-based settlement]]s were made in Van Diemens Land, including secondary prisons, such as the particularly harsh penal colonies at [[Port Arthur, Tasmania|Port Arthur]] in the southeast and [[Macquarie Harbour]] on the West Coast.

[[Van Diemen's Land]] was proclaimed a separate colony from [[New South Wales]], with its own judicial establishment and [[Tasmanian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]], on [[December 3]] [[1825]].

===World attention===
Although the state is seldom in the world news, global attention has turned to Tasmania a few times.
Tasmania was badly affected by the [[1967 Tasmanian fires]] in which there was major loss of life and property.
In the [[1970s]] the state government announced plans to flood environmentally significant [[Lake Pedder]]. The collapse of the [[Tasman Bridge]] when struck by the bulk ore carrier ''MV Lake Illawarra'' in 1975 made crossing the [[River Derwent]] at [[Hobart]] almost impossible. National and international attention surrounded the [[No Dams campaign]] for the [[Franklin River]] in the early [[1980s]]. This contributed to the start of the [[Green movement]].

Tasmania has received a position in the top ten of several popular international tourism publications.

On [[April 28]], [[1996]] in the incident now known as the [[Port Arthur Massacre]], lone gunman [[Martin Bryant]] shot dead 35 people (including tourists and residents) and injured 37 others. The use of [[firearm]]s was immediately reviewed, and new gun ownership laws were adopted nationwide, with Tasmania's law one of the strictest in the nation.

The [[Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]] is an annual blue-water sailing event that attracts foreign media attention.

On [[May 14]] [[2004]] the royal wedding of former Hobart woman [[Mary Donaldson]] to [[Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark]], and their subsequent visit in [[2005]], again drew some international attention to the state.

In April [[2006]] the [[Beaconsfield, Tasmania|Beaconsfield]] Gold Mine created world media attention when a minor earthquake triggered a [[Beaconsfield mine collapse|mine collapse]] that killed one person and trapped two others underground for fourteen days.

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of Tasmania}}
[[Image:Tazziemap.png|thumb|200px|thumb|left|Tasmania map]]
Tasmania is a rugged island of [[temperate climate]], and was considered so similar in some ways to pre-industrial [[England]] that it was referred to by some English colonists as 'a Southern England'.

Tasmania has been volcanically inactive in recent geological times, and has 'rounded smooth' mountain ranges similar to mainland Australia (unlike most of New Zealand).
The most mountainous regions are the [[Central Highlands (Tasmania)|Central Highlands]] and south western areas, which cover most of the central, west and south west parts of the state. The central east area (the [[Midlands, Tasmania|Midlands]]) is fairly flat by comparison, and is predominantly used for agriculture, although various types of farming activity can be seen all around the state.

The West Coast, being populated and having historically over 150 years of mineral exploration and exploitation, is a vital region to the state. It has a high rainfall which powers some of the hydroelectric projects, and the earnings from mineral activities are significant. The [[West Coast Range (Tasmania)|West Coast Range]] has some of the better known West Coast mines on its slopes – notably the [[Mount Lyell, Tasmania|Mount Lyell]] mine.

The Southwest region, in particular, is densely forested, the [[Southwest National Park|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 [[Earth observation satellite|satellite imaging]].

[[Image:Cataract Gorge.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Cataract Gorge]], near [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]]]]

Most of the population lives on and around the coastal rivers – the [[Derwent River, Tasmania|Derwent]] and [[Huon River]]s in the south, the [[Tamar River, Tasmania|Tamar]] and [[Mersey River (Australia)|Mersey River]]s in the north.

The temperate climate (Tasmania is the only Australian state with any land south of the 40th [[Latitude|parallel]]), rustic environment and numerous historic features make Tasmania a popular choice for retirees who prefer a temperate climate over a [[tropical climate|tropical]] one such as [[Queensland]]. Tasmania receives a large amount of [[snow]] in the highlands throughout the winter months, but very little in significantly populated areas.

Tasmania is separated from the Australian mainland by [[Bass Strait]], one of the roughest bodies of water in the world{{fact}}, primarily a result of its shallow depth (typically around 60 m) and its susceptibility to Indian and Southern Ocean currents and swells.

==Climate==
[[Image:Hobart_Marina_MTWellington.jpg|250px|thumb|right|View of [[Hobart]] foreshore with the city centre and Mt Wellington in the background]]
Tasmania is located at latitude 40° South, longitude 144° East, right in the pathway of the notorious "Roaring Forties" wind that encircles the globe. Tasmania has a very similar climate to [[England]].

The seasons are opposite to that of the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. Summer is from December to February when the average maximum temperature is 21 °C (70 °F). Winter is from June to August with an average maximum temperature of 12 °C (54 °F).

'''Highest maximum temperature:''' 40.8C (105.4F), [[Hobart]], [[4 January]] [[1976]]

'''Lowest minimum temperature:''' -13.0C (8.6F), [[Shannon, Tasmania|Shannon]], [[30 June]] [[1983]] [http://members.iinet.net.au/~jacob/worldtp.html]

The annual rainfall varies from 626 mm (25 inches) in [[Hobart]] to 2400 mm (94 inches) on the west coast. The prevailing weather pattern is from west to east and creates a rain shadow in the same direction. The weather on the east coast is nearly always warmer and milder than the rest of the state. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Tasmania has four distinct seasons. Summer is warm with sunny days and mild evenings. The weather is more stable between the months of February and April, from mid summer to late autumn. Autumn provides the classical transition to winter with very cool to frosty nights and clear cool days with deciduous trees displaying autumn colours and losing leaves. Winter is characterised by sudden storms, shorter daylight hours and a lot of [[snow]] on the higher peaks (Mt Ossa 1,617 m / 5300 ft the highest ).

All these factors contribute to the make-up of Tasmania and producing vegetation which is extremely diverse, from tall open [[eucalypt forest]], alpine heathlands and large areas of cool [[Temperate rain forest|temperate rainforests]] and moorlands. Many flora species are unique to Tasmania, and some are related to species in [[South America]] and [[New Zealand]] through ancestors which grew on the super continent [[Gondwanaland]], 50 million years ago.

==Government==
{{main|Government of Tasmania}}

The form of the government of Tasmania is prescribed in its [[Constitution]], which dates from [[1856]], although it has been amended many times since then.

Since [[1901]] Tasmania has been a state of the [[Australia|Commonwealth of Australia]], and the [[Australian Constitution]] regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth, and prescribes which powers each level of government has.

==Politics==
Tasmania has a number of relatively unspoilt, [[ecology|ecologically]] valuable regions. Proposals for local economic development have therefore been faced with strong requirements for environmental sensitivity, or outright opposition. In particular, proposals for hydroelectric power generation proved controversial in the late [[20th century]]. In the [[1970s]], opposition to the construction of the [[Lake Pedder]] impoundment led to the formation of the world's first [[green party]], the [[United Tasmania Group]]. In the early [[1980s]] the state was again plunged into often bitter debate over the proposed [[Franklin Dam|Franklin River Dam]]. The anti-dam sentiment was shared by many Australians outside Tasmania, and proved a factor in the election of the [[Bob Hawke|Hawke]] [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] government in [[1983]], which halted construction of the dam. Since the 1980s the environmental focus has shifted to [[old growth]] [[logging]], which has proved a highly divisive issue. The [[Tasmania Together]] process recommended an end to clear felling in high conservation old growth forests by January [[2003]].

In the Commonwealth Parliament, Tasmania is well represented in the [[Australian Senate|Senate]], where seats are not proportional to population. Between [[1975]] and [[2005]], Tasmanian independent senator [[Brian Harradine]] often held the [[balance of power]]. As a result he was able to gain the passage of legislation that, although often matching his conservative religious views, was also very financially rewarding for the state. Harradine successfully defended his seat in six consecutive senate elections and did not stand for re-election at the [[Australian legislative election, 2004|2004 federal election]]. His term ended in June 2005.

Tasmania's [[Tasmanian House of Assembly|House of Assembly]] and local government elections use a system of multi-seat [[proportional representation]] known as [[Single Transferable Vote|Hare-Clark]].

In the [[Tasmanian legislative election, 2002|2002 state election]], the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor Party]] held 14 of the 25 available seats. The [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] saw their percentage of the vote decrease dramatically, claiming only 7 seats. The [[Tasmanian Greens|Greens]] won four seats, with over 18% of the vote, the highest proportion of any Green party in any parliament in the world.

On [[23 February]] [[2004]], the Premier [[Jim Bacon]] announced his retirement, due to being diagnosed with [[lung cancer]]. He died four months later.

Bacon was succeeded by [[Paul Lennon]], who, after leading the state for two years, went on to win the [[Tasmanian legislative election, 2006|2006 state election]] in his own right.
*[[List of Governors of Tasmania]]
*[[Premier of Tasmania|List of Premiers of Tasmania]]
*[[Local Government Areas of Tasmania]]

[[image:WesternTasmania1865.jpg|thumb|350px|Western Tasmania with natural resorces on [[1865]] map]]

==Economy==
Tasmania's erratic economy was first experienced by colonists in the early 1800s. The reasons have been many and varied over the years. More recently the reasons have been attributed to: lack of federal infrastructure [[highway]], lack of a [[gold rush]], lack of open [[immigration]] initiatives, lack of population, decline in the [[wool]] and mineral economies, lack of early colonial initiatives, or lack of foreign investment. For the length of the history of Tasmania there has been a continuing exodus of youth to mainland Australia in order to seek employment opportunities.

Traditionally Tasmania's main industries have been: [[mining]], including [[copper]], [[zinc]], [[tin]], and [[iron]]; [[agriculture]]; [[forestry]]; and [[tourism]]. Significantly in the [[1940s]] and [[1950s]] there had been a notion of 'Hydro-Industrialisation' embodied in the state by [[Hydro Tasmania]]. These all have had varying fortunes over the last century and more, involved in ebbs and flows of population moving in and away dependent upon the specific requirements of the dominant industries of the time.

There had been a decline in [[manufacturing]] during the [[1990s]], leading to a drain of some of the island's trained and experienced working population to mainland Australia. The major urban centres such as [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]] are popular destinations.

The state has a large number of food exporting sectors, including [[seafood]] (for example, [[Atlantic salmon]], [[abalone]] and [[crayfish]]).

Since [[2001]], Tasmania has experienced a positive turnaround. Favourable economic conditions throughout Australia, cheaper air fares and three new ''[[Spirit of Tasmania]]'' ferries have all contributed to what is now a booming tourism industry. Record numbers of tourists are discovering the island, the property market is booming and the growth of businesses is now being limited by labour constraints.

<!-- This paragraph needs to be kept, but where?

Tasmania's economic woes have caused many Tasmanians to view the world and their place in it quite differently from the rest of Australia. Consequently, Tasmania has a thriving, though under-resourced, arts community and environmental movement. However, this has turned out to be as much a divisive as an inclusive issue in respect of Tasmanian's sense of identity.

The thrust of the environmental lobby has resulted in large areas of the state being conserved in national parks and other protected areas thus limiting economic development through means of industries such as forestry and mining as well as new places of settlement for future population growth. The position of the environmentalist lobby is that such developmental limitation is offset by enhanced tourism prospects. -->
Today, a significant number of employed Tasmanians work for the government. Other major employers include the [[Federal Group]], owner of several [[hotel]]s and Tasmania's two [[casino]]s, and [[Gunns Limited]], the state's biggest [[forestry]] company. In the late 1990s, many national companies based their [[call centre]]s in the state after obtaining cheap access to broad-band fibre-optic connections.

Apparently the state's housing market was undervalued in the early part of [[2000]], and a large boom in the national housing market finally made Tasmanian housing prices rise dramatically. This has in part been attributed to increased levels of interstate<ref>ABC Television News (Tasmania), 7 p.m. Friday, 27/1/06</ref> and [[Immigration to Australia|overseas migration]]. A shortage of rental accommodation has caused problems for many of Tasmania's low income earners.

[[Small business]] is a large part of the community life and it is believed by many that the business environment in Tasmania is not an easy one to survive in. However there have been many success stories, such as [[International Catamarans]], [[Moorilla Estate]] and [[Tassal]].

==Transport==
The fastest and cheapest method of travel across Bass Strait is by [[airline|air]]. The main carriers are [[Qantas]] and its subsidiary [[Jetstar Airways|JetStar]], and [[Virgin Blue]], which fly direct routes to [[Melbourne]], [[Sydney]], [[Brisbane]], and [[Adelaide]]. Major airports include the [[Hobart International Airport]] and [[Launceston Airport]]; the smaller airports, Burnie and Devonport, are serviced by [[Regional Express]] and Qantaslink, which generally fly only to Melbourne and the Bass Strait islands.

The domestic [[sea]] route is being serviced by the [[Bass Strait]] passenger/vehicle ferries operated by the Tasmanian Government-owned [[TT-Line (Australia)|TT-Line (Tasmania)]]. From [[1986]] the ''[[Abel Tasman (ship)|Abel Tasman]]'' made six weekly overnight crossings between [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]] and [[Melbourne]]. It was replaced by the ''[[Spirit of Tasmania]]'' in [[1993]], which performed the same route and schedule. The most recent change was the [[2002]] replacement of the Spirit by two Superfast ferries - ''Spirit of Tasmania I'' and ''Spirit of Tasmania II'' — which brought the number of overnight crossings up to fourteen, plus additional daylight crossings in peak times. In January [[2004]] a third ship, the slightly smaller ''Spirit of Tasmania III'', started the Devonport to [[Sydney]] route. This service was axed by the Tasmanian Government in June 2006 due to low passenger numbers. Two container ships owned by [[Toll Shipping]] also make daily crossings between [[Burnie, Tasmania|Burnie]] and [[Melbourne, Australia|Melbourne]]. The port of Hobart also serves as a host to visiting cruise ships and before the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] was a regular port of call for [[United States Navy]] ships returning home from the [[Indian Ocean]] and [[Persian Gulf]].

The state is also home to International Catamarans, a manufacturer of very high-speed aluminium vessels (commonly known as ''SeaCat'') that broke records regularly when they were first launched. The state Government tried using them on the Bass Strait run, but eventually the decision was made to discontinue the run due to concerns over viability and the suitability of the vessels to the sometimes extreme weather conditions experienced in Bass Strait.

Tasmania, [[Hobart]] in particular, serves as Australia's chief sea link to the [[Antarctic]] and [[South Pacific]], with the [[Australian Antarctic Division]] located in [[Kingston, Tasmania|Kingston]]. Hobart is also the home port of the French ship ''l'Astrolabe'' which makes regular supply runs to the [[French Southern Territories]] near and in Antarctica.

Hobart also has the second deepest natural port in the world, second to only [[Rio de Janeiro]] in [[Brazil]].

Within the state, the primary form of transport is by road. Since the 1980s, many of the state's [[List of highways in Tasmania|highways]] have undergone regular upgrades. These include the Hobart Southern Outlet, Launceston Southern Outlet, [[Bass Highway, Tasmania|Bass Highway]] re-construction, and the [[Huon Highway]].

Tasmania's [[rail transport|rail network]] consists of [[narrow gauge]] lines to all four major population centres and to [[mining]] or [[forestry]] operations on the west coast and in the northwest. Services are operated by [[TasRail]], a [[Pacific National]] subsidiary. Regular passenger [[train]] services in the state ceased in [[1977]]; the only trains are for freight, and there are tourist trains in specific areas. In 2005 there were concerns that the rail service was in so much trouble that it might stop for everything but cement haulage.

The [[West Coast Wilderness Railway]] is a good example of a recently rebuilt tourism-specific railway (2002).

==Culture==
===Sport===
The dominant sports in Tasmania are [[cricket]] and [[Australian rules football]]. The [[Tasmanian Tigers]] [[cricket]] team, which plays home games at [[Bellerive Oval]] on the eastern shore of the Derwent River, Hobart, represents the state in limited overs and first-class cricket competitions. Tasmania has produced two international cricket stars, [[David Boon]] and current Australian captain [[Ricky Ponting]]. However in the last few years Tasmanian cricketing quality has increased with them winning the [[ING Cup|ING One Day Cup]] in 2004/05 for the first time in 10 years.

Despite [[Australian rules football]]'s huge popularity in the state, Tasmania does not have a team in the [[Australian Football League]]. They do have a team (the [[Tasmanian Devils Football Club|Tasmanian Devils]]) in the [[Victorian Football League|VFL]] (Victorian league), and a team in the national league is a popular topic among supporters as well as the state government (one of the potential sponsors of such a team). Some AFL teams play scheduled games at [[York Park|Aurora Stadium]] (at [[York Park]] in [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]]). These teams include Hawthorn and St Kilda who substitute their home games in Melbourne for games at Aurora Stadium to create extra revenue for the clubs. They generally play 2-3 games a year per team. The AFL continues to consider expanding into Tasmania.

In [[basketball]], the state is not represented in the National Basketball League, although strong representation from the state can be found in the South East Australian Basketball League. Two men's teams: The Oasis Hobart Chargers, and the Northwest Tasmania Thunder are joined in the women's SEABL by the Launceston Tornadoes and the Women's NW Tasmania Thunder also.

Tasmania's small population and low sponsorship potential results in the state not being represented in national [[football (soccer)]] and [[netball]] leagues.

===Events===
[[Image:Constitution_Dock.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Constitution Dock]]
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|Sydney to Hobart]] [[Yacht racing|Yacht Race]] [http://rolexsydneyhobart.com], starting on [[Boxing Day]] in Sydney and usually arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart around three to four days later, during the [[Hobart Summer Festival]] [http://www.hobartsummerfestival.com.au/].

The [[Targa Tasmania]] [[rally racing|road rally]] [http://www.targa.org.au], usually held in late April or early May, attracts world-class rally drivers and is staged all over the state, over five days.

[[Skyrace Tasmania]] (now defunct), an airshow & [[Pylon Racing]] aviation event was held annually throughout the mid 1990s at Valleyfield, an old WW2 airstrip south of [[Launceston]].

[[Agfest]] [http://www.agfest.com.au] is a three-day agricultural show held at [[Carrick, Tasmania|Carrick]] (just west of Launceston) in early May, and despite its agricultural focus it attracts city and country residents – 75000 people in 2004. Other major shows include the [[Royal Hobart Show]] and [[Royal Launceston Show]], held in October of each year.

A recent addition to the state has been the [[10 Days on the Island]] arts [[festival]]; however, it has drawn criticism from environmental groups for its acceptance of sponsorship from forestry company [[Gunns Limited|Gunns]].

The [[Basin Concert]] (now defunct) was a music concert held at the [[Cataract Gorge]] in Launceston. Current festivals include [[Gone South]] [http://www.gonesouth.com.au], held four times since [[1999]], and the [[Falls Festival]] [http://www.fallsfestival.com], a [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] event now held in both Victoria and Tasmania on [[New Year's Eve]].

The [[Antarctic Midwinter Festival]] [http://www.antarctic-tasmania.info] celebrates Hobart's special connection with the Antarctic, on the [[winter solstice]] in June each year.

[[Taste of Tasmania]] is an annual food and wine festival centred around the Hobart foreshore on and around New Year.

==Prominent Tasmanians==
{{main|List of Prominent Tasmanians}}

Tasmania has produced a number of significant people. These include: the actor [[Errol Flynn]], [[Crown Princess Mary of Denmark]] (Mary Donaldson), Australian [[cricket]] personalities [[Ricky Ponting]] and [[David Boon]].

==Indigenous animals==
===Thylacine===
[[Image:Thylacine.jpg|thumb|150px|Old photograph of captive Tasmanian Tigers in a zoo.]]
The island of Tasmania was home to the [[Thylacine]], a [[marsupial]] which resembles 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 the introduction of the [[dingo]]. Owing to persecution by farmers, government-funded bounty hunters, and, in the final years, collectors for overseas museums, it also appears to have been exterminated in Tasmania. The last known animal died in [[captivity]] in [[1936]]. Many alleged sightings have been recorded, none of them confirmed.

===Tasmanian Devil===
The [[Tasmanian Devil]] is a carnivorous [[marsupial]] found exclusively on the island of Tasmania. [[Image:Tasdevil_large.jpg|thumb|150px|Tasmanian Devil]]
The size of a small dog but stocky and muscular, the Tasmanian Devil is characterised by its black fur with white patches. It has an offensive odour when stressed, performs a loud and disturbing screeching, and possesses a vicious temperament. The Devil survived European settlement and was considered widespread and fairly common throughout Tasmania until recently.

Like a lot of the wildlife, fast vehicles on the roads cause problems for the Tasmanian Devil.

[[2005|As of 2005]] the Tasmanian Devil population has been reduced by about 90% in some areas of Tasmania by [[Devil facial tumour disease]]. It is believed the majority have starved when the tumours have spread to their mouths and that the tumours spread by fighting between devils – typically, fighting devils will bite one another's faces.
There is no cure for the disease, and intensive research is under way to determine its cause. There are also breeding programs undertaken in wildlife parks to secure a disease-free population of Tasmanian Devils.

===Birds===
Many [[bird]]s of the Australian mainland and [[Southern Ocean]] also occur in Tasmania. Tasmania has 12 endemic [[bird]] [[species]]:
4 [[honeyeater]]s (family Melaphagidae) - the yellow wattlebird (world's largest honeyeater) and the yellow-throated, black-headed and strong-billed honeyeaters;
3 Australo-Papuan warblers (family Acanthizidae) - the Tasmanian thornbill, the scrubtit and the Tasmanian scrubwren;
1 pardalote (family [[Pardalotidae]]) - the rare and endangered [[forty-spotted pardalote]];
1 old-world flycatcher (family Muscicapidae) - the dusky robin;
1 corvid (family Corvidae) - the black currawong;
1 parrot (family Psittacidae) - the [[green rosella]]; and
1 rail (family Rallidae) - the [[Tasmanian native hen]], Australia's only flightless bird other than the giant [[ratite]]s ([[emu]] and [[southern cassowary]]).
The endemic Tasmanian Emu was exterminated in the mid-1800s.

===Frogs===
Tasmania is home to 11 species of frogs. Three of these are only found in Tasmania, the [[Tasmanian Tree Frog]] (''Litoria burrowsae''), the [[Tasmanian Froglet]] (''Crinia tasmaniensis'') and the only recently discovered Moss Froglet (''Bryobatrachus nimbus''). Of the 11 species that inhabit Tasmania all are native to Australia. Tasmania is home to the largest breeding population of [[Growling Grass Frog]]s (''Litoria raniformis''), a vulnerable species, which has declined over much of it range.

==Places in Tasmania==
[[Image:CradleMountainTas.jpg|250px|frame|Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain, Central Tasmanian Highlands]]
{| valign=top
|-
|width=200 valign=top style="font-size:90%;"|
'''Islands:'''
*[[Boundary Islet]]
*[[Bruny Island]]
*[[Cape Barren Island]]
*[[Flinders Island]]
*[[King Island, Tasmania|King Island]]
*[[Maatsuyker Islands]]
*[[Schouten Island]]
*[[Maria Island]]
*[[Macquarie Island]]

'''Lakes:'''
*[[Great Lake, Tasmania|Great Lake]]
*[[Lake Gordon]]
*[[Lake Pedder]]
*[[Lake St Clair, Tasmania|Lake St Clair]]
*[[Lake Burbury]]
*[[Lake Margaret]]

|width=200 valign=top style="font-size:90%;"|

'''Significant bridges:'''
*[[Bowen Bridge]]
*[[Batman Bridge]]
*[[Bridgewater Bridge]]
*[[Ross Bridge]]
*[[Richmond Bridge, Tasmania|Richmond Bridge]]
*[[Tasman Bridge]]

'''Beaches:'''
*[[Bakers Beach]]
*[[Boat Harbour]]
*[[Coles Bay]]
*[[Ocean Beach, Tasmania|Ocean Beach]]
*[[Sisters Beach]]
*[[Wine Glass Bay]]

|width=200 valign=top style="font-size:90%;"|

''' Main highways:'''
*[[Arthur Highway]]
*[[Bass Highway, Tasmania|Bass Highway]]
*[[Brooker Highway]]
*[[Channel Highway]]
*[[East Tamar Highway]]
*[[Esk Highway]]
*[[Lake Highway]]
*[[Lyell Highway]]
*[[Midlands Highway]]
*[[Murchison Highway]]
*[[Tasman Highway]]
*[[West Tamar Highway]]

|width=200 valign=top style="font-size:90%;"|

'''Rivers:'''
*[[Arthur River, Tasmania|Arthur River]]
*[[Derwent River, Tasmania|Derwent River]]
*[[Franklin River]]
*[[Gordon River]]
*[[Henty River]]
*[[Huon River]]
*[[King River, Tasmania|King River]]
*[[Leven River]]
*[[Meander River, Tasmania|Meander River]]
*[[Mersey River (Australia)|Mersey River]]
*[[North Esk River]]
*[[Picton River]]
*[[Queen River]]
*[[Savage River (Tasmania)|Savage River]]
*[[South Esk River]]
*[[Styx River (Tasmania)|Styx River]]
*[[Tamar River, Tasmania|Tamar River]]

|width=200 valign=top style="font-size:90%;"|

'''Mountains:'''
*[[Ben Lomond, Tasmania|Ben Lomond]]
*[[Cradle Mountain]]
*[[Federation Peak]]
*[[Mount Field, Tasmania|Mount Field]]
*[[Frenchmans Cap, Tasmania|Frenchmans Cap]]
*[[Great Western Tiers]]
*[[Mount Ossa]]
*[[Mount Wellington, Tasmania|Mount Wellington]]
*[[West Coast Range]]

'''Regions:'''
*[[Central Highlands (Tasmania)|Central Highlands]]
*[[Derwent Valley]]
*[[East Coast, Tasmania|East Coast]]
*[[Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania|Freycinet Peninsula]]
*[[Midlands, Tasmania|Midlands]]
*[[North-West Coast, Tasmania|North-West Coast]]
*[[South West Wilderness, Tasmania|South West Wilderness]]
*[[Tamar Valley]]
*[[Tasman Peninsula]]
*[[West Coast, Tasmania|West Coast]]

|}

''See also:'' List of Australian [[List of islands of Australia|islands]], [[Lakes of Australia|lakes]], [[List of bridges#Australia|bridges]], [[Highways in Australia|highways]], [[List of rivers of Australia|rivers]], [[List of mountains in Australia|mountains]] and [[List of regions in Australia|regions]].

==See also==
* [[Protected areas of Tasmania (Australia)|Protected areas of Tasmania]]
* [[University of Tasmania]]
* [[List of postcodes in Tasmania, Australia]]
* [[List of schools in Tasmania]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>

==External links==
* [http://tas.gov.au/ Tasmania Online - the main State Government website]
* [http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/ Discover Tasmania] - official tourism website
* [http://www.tourtasmania.com/ Interactive Tour of Tasmania]
* [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17105 NASA Satellite image of Tasmania]
* [http://www.tas.gov.au/tasmaniaonline/about/maplarge.asp Another detailed map]
* [http://www.wildblueandfree.com/ Wild, Blue and Free]. Tasmanian online discovery TV series with fact sheets, photo galleries, video
* CoastView.com.au for information and webcams around Tasmania [http://www.coastview.com.au]

{{Australia}}

[[Category:Islands of Australia]]
[[Category:Tasmania|Tasmania]]

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Revision as of 01:49, 11 July 2006

Tasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisation and lived for many years.Tasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisationTasmania has been the focus of scientists across the ages. It was once the lost city of Atlantis. They used crystal technology to power their hangliders to fly across Bass Strait. They were an advanced civilisation

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