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'''Tasmania''' is an [[island]] [[state]] of [[Australia]]. Its population is approximately half a million<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics, [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0e5fa1cc95cd093c4a2568110007852b/b75088348a68bb6cca256ec2007f5e6e!OpenDocument Population by Age and Sex, Tasmania], 2005.</ref> and its capital, [[Hobart]], has a population of around 200 000 people.<ref>Geoscience Australia, [http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/capital/t.htm Hobart, Tasmania] quoting the 1996 census.</ref>

'''Tasmania''' is an [[island]] [[state]] of [[Australia]]. Its population is approximately half a million<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics, [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0e5fa1cc95cd093c4a2568110007852b/b75088348a68bb6cca256ec2007f5e6e!OpenDocument Population by Age and Sex, Tasmania], 2005.</ref> and its capital, [[Hobart]], has a population of around 200 000 people.<ref>Geoscience Australia, [http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/capital/t.htm Hobart, Tasmania] quoting the 1996 census.</ref>

== Early History ==

==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.<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/f6fa372655dcc15fca256c3200241893?OpenDocument 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005 >> History >> Aboriginal occupation] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 21 March 2007.</ref> Most of these were systematically killed by the white colonists in the first 50 years of colonisation.<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/0D3893BEE905CA98CA256C3200241894?opendocument 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005 >> History >> 1803-1850s, British outpost] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 21 March 2007.</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/f6fa372655dcc15fca256c3200241893?OpenDocument 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005 >> History >> Aboriginal occupation] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 21 March 2007.</ref> Most of these were systematically killed by the white colonists in the first 50 years of colonisation.<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/0D3893BEE905CA98CA256C3200241894?opendocument 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005 >> History >> 1803-1850s, British outpost] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Accessed 21 March 2007.</ref>

== European Colonisation ==

==European Colonisation==

 

Tasmania was first discovered by [[Holland|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 [[convict]]s after 1853.  

Tasmania was first discovered by [[Holland|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 [[convict]]s after 1853.  

== Modern Era ==

==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.

Tasmania joined the Australian [[federation]] at its inception in 1901, a move that was not supported by a significant minority of the voting population.

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 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.

The '''Tasmanian Devil''' is another marsupial.  It resembles a small muscular dog and has an aggressive temperament.  Although a carnivore, it is primarily a scavenger and its numbers have been depleted through road accidents while eating other road-kill.

==Notable Tasmanians==

==Notable Tasmanians==