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- a little about Tasmania.

Tasmania Coat of Arms

Tasmania, an Australian state, is located 200 kilometres (125 mi) south of the eastern side of the continent, being separated from it by Bass Strait. The state of Tasmania includes the island of Tasmania, and other surrounding islands. Tasmania has a population of 484,700 (March 2005, ABS) and an area of 68,332 square kilometres (26,383 sq mi).

The distance from the northernmost point (Woolnorth Pt) to the southernmost one (South East Cape) is 364 kilometres (226 miles), the distance from the westernmost (West Pt) to the easternmost one (Eddystone Pt) is 306 kilometres (190 miles).

Tasmania promotes itself as the Natural State and the "Island of Rejuvenation" owing to its large, and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Formally, 36% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites.

The state capital and largest city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart, City of Glenorchy and City of Clarence. Other major population centres include Launceston in the north, and Devonport and Burnie in the northwest.

The subantarctic Macquarie Island is also under the administration of the state, as part of the Huon Valley Council local government area.

Getting there:

Currency:
Australian dollar

Time Zones:
GMT +10 (GMT )

Climate:

Tasmania is located at latitude 42° South, longitude 147° East, right in the pathway of the notorious "Roaring Forties" wind that encircles the globe. The Tasmanian climate is extremely variable with high fluctuations in temperature and wind speed during the average week.

Summer lasts 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: 40.8 °C (105.4 °F), Hobart, 4 January 1976

Lowest minimum temperature: -13.0 °C (8.6 °F), Shannon, 30 June 1983

The annual rainfall varies from 626 millimeters (25 inches) in Hobart to 2,400 millimeters (94 in) 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 drier than the rest of the state. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Tasmania's reputation in Australia for having above-average rainfall, however, differs with the true situation: several sections of inland Tasmania, together with Flinders Island, were declared drought-affected areas by the state government on 1 May 2007.

Tasmania has four distinct seasons. Summer is warm with sunny days and mild evenings. Thunderstorms are normal in early summer. 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 snow on the higher peaks (Mt Ossa 1,617 m / 5,300 ft the highest ).

All these factors contribute to the extremely diverse Tasmanian vegetation, from tall evergreen eucalypt forest, alpine heathlands and large areas of cool 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 of Gondwana, 50 million years ago.

 

- Tasmania: Craddle Mountain

Craddle Mountain, Tasmania

- Cradle Mountain is a distinctive mountain in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia. Rising to 1,545 metres above sea level it is one of the principal tourist sites in Tasmania, owing to its natural beauty. The mountain is composed of dolerite columns, similar to many of the other mountains in the area.

The area around the mountain has a large number of day walks, as well as being one terminus of the Overland Track. The mountain is climbed very regularly by tourists, and can be climbed virtually year round. It is a strenuous 6.5 hour return climb from the Dove Lake car park. The climb up the rocky part of the mountain involves scrambling over large boulders for 2 hours. The entire climb is exposed to any bad weather which may arrive at any time. From the summit, (where there was a trig point tower) there are spectacular 360° views, encompassing Dove Lake, Barn Bluff and Mount Ossa.

The mountain rises above the glacial formed Lake Dove (934m), Lake Wilks, and Crater Lake.

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- Tasmania


Location of Tasmania


Flag of Tasmania

Flag of Tasmania, Australia

- Lake Dove, Tasmania

Craddle Mountain viewed from Lake Dove

- Craddle Mountain viewed from Dove Lake

- Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial found exclusively on the island of Tasmania. The size of a small dog but stocky and muscular, the Tasmanian Devil is characterised by its black fur with white patches. It has a loud and disturbing screech-like growl, possesses a vicious temperament and is predominantly a scavenger. The Devil survived European settlement and was considered widespread and common throughout Tasmania until recently.

Like a lot of the wildlife, fast vehicles on the roads are a problem for Tasmanian Devils, which are often killed while feeding on other road-killed animals such as wallabies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:: Current weather forecast for Tasmania :

Hobart, TA Weather from Weather Underground
Hobart, TA Weather from Weather Underground
Weather Underground RSS Feed for Hobart, TA AU

Current Conditions : 48F / 9C, Scattered Clouds - 9:30 AM EST Jul. 30
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 2:30pm Temperature: 48°F / 9°C | Humidity: 82% | Pressure: 29.83in / 1010hPa (Steady) | Conditions: Scattered Clouds | Wind Direction: NW | Wind Speed: 9mph / 15km/h

Forecast for Thursday as of Jul. 29 10:00 PM EST
Posted on 29 Jul 2010 at 12:00pm Unknown. High:48 ° F. / 9 ° C.

Forecast for Thursday Night as of Jul. 29 10:00 PM EST
Posted on 29 Jul 2010 at 12:00pm Overcast. Low:42 ° F. / 6 ° C.

Forecast for Friday as of Jul. 29 10:00 PM EST
Posted on 29 Jul 2010 at 12:00pm Clear. High:59 ° F. / 15 ° C.

Forecast for Friday Night as of Jul. 29 10:00 PM EST
Posted on 29 Jul 2010 at 12:00pm Chance of Rain. Low:42 ° F. / 6 ° C.

Forecast for Saturday as of Jul. 29 10:00 PM EST
Posted on 29 Jul 2010 at 12:00pm Chance of Rain. High:57 ° F. / 14 ° C.

Forecast for Saturday Night as of Jul. 29 10:00 PM EST
Posted on 29 Jul 2010 at 12:00pm Chance of Rain. Low:37 ° F. / 3 ° C.


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