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| State of Tasmania | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tasmania |
| Capital | Hobart |
| Largest city | Hobart |
| Established | 1901 (Federation) |
| Area km2 | 68401 |
| Population | 541071 |
| GDP | AUD 34.6 billion |
| Timezone | Australian Eastern Standard Time |
State of Tasmania Tasmania is an island state of Australia located south of the Australian mainland and separated by the Bass Strait. The state capital and largest city is Hobart, and other major urban centres include Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, and Kingston, Tasmania. Tasmania is noted for its rugged wilderness such as Tasman National Park, historic sites like Port Arthur, Tasmania, and institutions including the Tasmanian Government and the University of Tasmania.
Tasmanian history includes Indigenous habitation by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people prior to European exploration by Abel Tasman and maritime visits by James Cook and William Bligh. The colonial era involved settlement at Hobart Town and penal colonization at sites including Port Arthur and the Macquarie Harbour Penal Station. Conflicts and frontier violence involved leaders such as George Augustus Robinson and incidents referenced in legal instruments like the Black Line (Tasmania). Tasmania joined the Federation of Australia in 1901 alongside colonies including New South Wales and Victoria. Twentieth-century developments tied Tasmania to projects like the Hydro-Electric Commission (Tasmania) and controversies such as the Franklin Dam dispute involving environmentalists from groups like the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and legal adjudication by the High Court of Australia. Heritage conservation includes listings by the Australian Heritage Council and UNESCO recognition for parts of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Tasmania occupies the main island of Tasmania plus the King Island (Tasmania), Flinders Island, the Bruny Island group and numerous islets. Topography features the Central Plateau (Tasmania), the Great Western Tiers, and peaks such as Mount Ossa (Tasmania). Coastal features include Wineglass Bay, the Tasman Peninsula, and the Freycinet National Park. Rivers such as the Derwent River (Tasmania), Tamar River, and Gordon River support hydroelectric schemes including the Gordon Dam. Biodiversity includes endemic flora like the Huon pine and fauna such as the Tasmanian devil, eastern quoll, and green rosella. Conservation challenges involve invasive species like the European rabbit and disease threats such as devil facial tumour disease, addressed by institutions including the Australian Antarctic Division and research at the University of Tasmania and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.
Tasmania's parliamentary institutions include the Parliament of Tasmania with the Tasmanian House of Assembly and Tasmanian Legislative Council. The state's executive is led by the Premier of Tasmania and ministers appointed under the Governor of Tasmania, who represents the Monarch of Australia. Political parties active include the Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian Division), the Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch), the Tasmanian Greens, and local independents. Electoral events have seen figures such as Jim Bacon, Lara Giddings, Will Hodgman, and Rachel O'Neill (politician) participate in campaigns alongside federal representatives elected to the House of Representatives and the Senate of Australia from divisions like Bass (Division of Bass), Braddon (Division of Braddon), Clark (Division of Clark), and Franklin (Division of Franklin). Legal oversight is exercised through the Supreme Court of Tasmania and statutory bodies including the Tasmanian Electoral Commission.
Tasmania's economy historically relied on sectors such as timber extraction from areas like the Huon Valley (Tasmania), agriculture in regions including the Derwent Valley, and mining operations at sites like Zeehan and Mount Lyell (Tasmania). Contemporary economic activities include tourism centered on attractions like MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), cruise visits to Port Arthur, aquaculture enterprises farming Atlantic salmon and prawns, and renewable energy from hydroelectric installations such as the Bastyan Power Station and wind farms including Woolnorth Wind Farm. Manufacturing hubs include facilities in Launceston and Devonport. Trade links utilize ports such as Bell Bay (Tasmania) and ferry services by Spirit of Tasmania. Financial and policy support comes via agencies like the Tasmanian Development Board and investment from companies such as Hydro Tasmania.
Population centres include Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie with demographic trends monitored by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Cultural communities trace ancestry to settlers from United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and recent migrants from China, India, and New Zealand. Social services are delivered by agencies including the Tasmanian Health Service and education by the Department of Education (Tasmania), with tertiary study at the University of Tasmania and vocational training through registered training organisations like TasTAFE. Public health issues have engaged networks such as the National Health and Medical Research Council and local NGOs including Anglicare Tasmania and Uniting Church in Australia (Tasmania).
Tasmania's cultural institutions include the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, MONA, and performing arts at the Sandy Bay Theatre and companies such as the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Literary connections involve authors like Marcus Clarke and Richard Flanagan, while visual arts feature artists such as Rex Battarbee and photographers exhibited at the Museum of Old and New Art. Festivals include Dark Mofo, Taste of Tasmania, and the MONA FOMA series. Historic convict-era sites like Port Arthur and collections at the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) preserve built heritage including Georgian buildings in Hobart and Richmond, Tasmania. Sporting culture includes teams and competitions in rugby league such as the North West Tasmanian Eagles, Australian rules football via the Tasmanian Football League, and events like the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which finishes in Hobart.
Key transport nodes include Hobart International Airport, Launceston Airport, and seaports at Devonport and Burnie. Road corridors include the Brooker Highway and the Bass Highway, while rail freight uses corridors maintained by entities like TasRail. Ferry services between Tasmania and the mainland operate with vessels from TT-Line Company on the Spirit of Tasmania route. Energy infrastructure is dominated by Hydro Tasmania hydroelectric assets and wind farms such as Studland Bay Wind Farm, with electricity regulation involving the Australian Energy Market Operator. Telecommunications are served by providers like the National Broadband Network rollout and mobile carriers including Telstra and Optus.