|
The Northern Territory is the most barren of all areas in the whole of Australia. It encapsulates a total area of 1.35 million square kilometres and accounts for 20% of the whole country. However, just 182,000 or 1% of Australia's population lives here.
Red is the predominant colour found in the soil, the rocks and Uluru (Ayers Rock) which are all situated in Central Australia (also known as the Red Centre). Surrounding the centre are a number of meteorite crators, canyons and valleys.
The Stuart Highway is the main road that leads from Darwin to Alice Springs and is packed with many interesting places. Darwin is a large cosmopolitan city in the far north. Watch out for the thunder, they have on average over 90 days of it a year!!
The centre is extremely arid, with greatly varying temperaturers. Further north the region is dry between April and September, and wet between October and March. It is often best to visit the region during the wet season because everything is green and there is no dust. Although the humidity and temperatures are high.
Far North Northern Territory (the Top End) is home to the vast Arnhem Land which is Aboriginal land, as well as the Kakadu National Park. Just off of the Northern Territory coast are the Tiwi Islands, home to the Tiwi people.
Further south the Stuart Highway leads through Katherine all the way to Adelaide in South Australia. Along the journey south between the Top End and Central Australia through the Middle of Northern Territory, the harsh reality of the Australian Outback really hits you. The towns are far apart, the roads are dusty and it is a great way to experience Australia.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The Northern Territory was previously controlled by both New South Wales and South Australia. In 1911 the Federal Government took control leading to self government in 1978, although Canberra still holds much authority over its internal affairs.
NORTHERN TERRITORY FACTS
- Northern Territory Area: 1,346,200 square kilometres
- Northern Territory Population (2005): 202,793
- Northern Territory Capital: Darwin
- Northern Territory Major Industries: Agriculture and Fishing
- Northern Territory Unemployment Rate (2005): 5.5%
- Average Weekly Earnings for employees (2003): $735
- Northern Territory Births (2004): 3,548
- Darwin's Mean Maximum Temperature (Summer 2006): 32.7°c
- Darwin's Mean Minimum Temperature (Summer 2006): 24.6°c
- Darwin's Mean Maximum Temperature (Winter 2006): 29.9°c
- Darwin's Mean Minimum Temperature (Winter 2006): 18.5°c
- Average Weekly Earnings for Employees (2005): Males $1,275.60 Females $1,077.10
- Australian Capital Territory Births (2004): 4,200
- Canberra's Mean Maximum Temperature (Summer 2006): 30.4°c
- Canberra's Mean Minimum Temperature (Summer 2006): 16.5°c
- Canberra's Mean Maximum Temperature (Winter 2006): 11.9°c
|
|
