Difference between revisions of "Tasmania"
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Tasmania joined the Australian [[federation]] at its inception in 1901, a move that was not supported by a significant minority of the voting population. | Tasmania joined the Australian [[federation]] at its inception in 1901, a move that was not supported by a significant minority of the voting population. | ||
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| + | ==Wildlife== | ||
| + | Tasmania has been home to two notable creatures; the Tasmanian Devil and the Tasmanian Tiger. | ||
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| + | The '''Tasmanian Tiger''' or '''thylacine''' was a large dog-like marsupial with stripes on its back which led to the ''tiger'' appellation. It is believed to have survived on the island owing to the lack of competition from dingos. The last known surviving specimen died in captivity in [[1936]]. Although believed to be extinct there are occasional unconfirmed reports of further sightings. | ||
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| + | The '''Tasmanian Devil''' is another marsupial. It resembles a small muscular dog and has an agressive temperament. Although a carnivore, it is primarily a scavenger and its numbers have been depleted through road accidents while eating other road-kill. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 11:25, May 27, 2007
Tasmania is an island state of Australia. Its population is approximately half a million[1] and its capital, Hobart, has a population of around 200 000 people.[2]
Early History
Prior to contact from Europe, Tasmania was home to a number of indigenous groups. It is estimated that when Europeans arrived in Tasmania there were between 4000 and 10,000 Tasmanian Aborigines, in 9 tribes.[3] Most of these were systematically killed by the white colonists in the first 50 years of colonisation.[4]
European Colonisation
Tasmania was first discovered by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. It wasn't claimed until Captain James Cook of Great Britain explored the coast of Australia. It was settled as Australia's second penal colony. The colony of Tasmania declined further shipments of convicts after 1853.
Modern Era
Tasmania joined the Australian federation at its inception in 1901, a move that was not supported by a significant minority of the voting population.
Wildlife
Tasmania has been home to two notable creatures; the Tasmanian Devil and the Tasmanian Tiger.
The Tasmanian Tiger or thylacine was a large dog-like marsupial with stripes on its back which led to the tiger appellation. It is believed to have survived on the island owing to the lack of competition from dingos. The last known surviving specimen died in captivity in 1936. Although believed to be extinct there are occasional unconfirmed reports of further sightings.
The Tasmanian Devil is another marsupial. It resembles a small muscular dog and has an agressive temperament. Although a carnivore, it is primarily a scavenger and its numbers have been depleted through road accidents while eating other road-kill.
References
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population by Age and Sex, Tasmania, 2005.
- ↑ Geoscience Australia, Hobart, Tasmania quoting the 1996 census.
- ↑ 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005 >> History >> Aboriginal occupation Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 21 March 2007.
- ↑ 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005 >> History >> 1803-1850s, British outpost Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 21 March 2007.
