NATURE

'THE DRY CONTINENT'

The climate in Australia is varied and ranges from tropical to sub alpine. Australia is also the oldest landmass on earth and the most eroded of all continents, the nearby island state of Tasmania being the exception. This vast landmass is also the most stable of all continents, with few major fault lines. This means that Australia lacks high mountains such as what you find in neighbouring New Zealand. However all the eons of erosion have formed some of the strangest geographical features on earth, such as Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory, or the Bungle Bungles Mountains, and The Pinnacles of Western Australia.

Australia is also the driest inhabited continent on earth, but the eastern seaboard where the majority of the population is concentrated, is a lush and fertile area, with a climate ranging from temperate to tropical. The main mountain range is known as the Great Dividing Range or Eastern Highlands. This long mountain chain separates the green eastern seaboard from the barren Outback. The southern end of the Great Dividing Range has an area known as the Snowy Mountains, or otherwise known as the Australian Alps. This area actually receives more snow than Switzerland, and is the only area suitable for skiing in Australia. Australia also contains many pockets of tropical and temperate rain forest on the eastern coast, but the predominate forest in Australia is Eucalypti forest.

The southwest corner of Western Australia has a Mediterranean climate and the Northern regions of this continent have areas of Rainforest and below that are large areas of savanna grasslands. Tasmania, the island state in the south has large areas of temperate wilderness and steep mountains.

OTER ASPECTS OF CLIMATE

HEAT WAVES

FROST

HUMIDITY

SUNSHINE

DROUGHTS

WINDS

FOG

FLOODS

BUSH FIRES

NATURE'S BLESSING

Australia has 20,000 species of plants and brilliant wildflowers such as the red and green kangaroo paw.
The continent has many species of acacia, which Australians call wattle, and 1,200 species eucalypti or gum trees.
Many of the trees lose their bark not their leaves and a lot of flowers have no smell. The gum, found across the continent, ranges from 90 m high to stunted types in arid zones. One eucalyptus, the Jarrah, ranks among the world’s hardest woods. The tropical north east belt with its heavy rainfall and high temperatures is heavily forested.
Although predominantly evergreen, vegetation ranges from the dense bushland of the coast to the mulga and mallee scrub of inland plains.
Palms, ferns, and vines grow prolifically among the oaks, ashes, cedars, and beeches. Along the eastern coast and in Tasmania are found forests of pine which rank second to the eucalyptus in economic importance.
The wild flowers of the region are varied and spectacular. In the less dense regions of the interior slopes there are red and green Kangaroo Paws, scented Boronia, Wax Flowers, and Bottlebrushes.

In the interior region of low rainfall, characteristic plants are saltbush and spinifex grass, which provide fodder for sheep, and mallee and mulga scrubs. The most valuable native grass including Flinders grass, are found in Queensland and New South Wales. During occasional flooding rapid and luxuriant growth of native grasses and desert wild flowers occurs, and water lilies dot the streams and lagoons.
Australian states and territories have their own floral emblems: the common pink heath is the emblem of Victoria, waratah is the emblem of New South Wales, Cooktown Orchid is the emblem of Queensland, Sturts desert pea is the emblem of South Australia, Southern Blue Gum is the emblem of Tasmania, Sturts Desert Rose is the emblem of Northern Territory, Red and Green Kangaroo Paw is the emblem of Western Australia.
There are many national parks in Australia, among them Lichfield National Park where one can observe Australian plants and animals.

ENVIRONMENT

AGRICULTURE