South Australia

South Australia [ ˌ sæɔθ əstræɪliə ] ( German South Australia) is a state of Australia, with its capital Adelaide.

Geography

The state of South Australia ranges from the southern coast of Australia ( Great Australian Bight ) into the continent to the Great Artesian Basin and the Musgrave Ranges ( up to 1440 m high); the land area is 983 480 km2. The dry, adjacent to the Northern Territory and Western Australia parts of the country are the indigenous people, the Aborigines.

In addition to the capital, Adelaide, with about 1 million inhabitants include the City of Playford ( suburb of Adelaide ) ( 70 022 Ew. ), Whyalla ( 25 286 Ew. ) And Mount Gambier ( 23,055 inhabitants). Among the major cities in South Australia.

The South Australia belonging Kangaroo Iceland is the third largest island in Australia.

Regions

Overall, the fourth largest state of Australia is divided into eight major regions where it is Adelaide, around Adelaide, Kangaroo Iceland, Limestone Coast, Yorke Peninsula, Murray River, Flinders Ranges & Outback and Eyre Peninsula & Nullarbor. The individual regions are composed of other sub- areas. Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and with about 1.3 million inhabitants, the fifth-largest city on the continent. The surroundings of Adelaide consists of the sub-regions Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Fleurieu Peninsula. These are known for a Mediterranean climate and numerous wineries. To the south, Kangaroo Iceland, one of the most visited destinations in the state. Characteristic of the designated as the Limestone Coast coastline in the southeast of South Australia are valuable for tourism place with the Mount Gambier Blue Lake, caves, beaches and nature reserves. The Yorke Peninsula region is characterized by beaches, surf spots, agricultural land, the Innes National Park and scattered settlements.

A part of the 2375 km long Murray River flows through South Australia. The extending around the opening out at Adelaide River region is used by boaters and has vineyards. In contrast to the agricultural areas in the south are arid plains to the west and north, which are separated by the agronomic dry boundary of Goyder 's Line. In the north, around Adelaide start the foothills of the Flinders Ranges and the Flinders Ranges & Outback region. This area is characterized by deserts, mountain ranges and salt lakes. Examples of the main attractions are Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre and Flinders Ranges National Park. The Southwest region is formed by the Eyre Peninsula & Nullarbor. The Eyre Peninsula is a large peninsula that goes into the partly treeless Nullarbor Plain in the west. Among the highlights are sea lions colonies, the Gawler Ranges, the Great Australian Bight and the plane passing through the karst desert Eyre Highway.

Climate

South Australia is in summer in the subtropical high pressure belt and remains up on some heat thunderstorm largely rainless. Here there is usually high temperatures (during the day to 30 ° C ), similar to the Mediterranean. Cooler ocean currents such as the Western Austral current and the west wind drift let the water temperatures rise barely above 20 ° C in summer and bring in the winter rain. There is also then a mild ( 10 ° C).

Population

The population is very proud of its past, as South Australia is the only Australian state that has been built by free settlers and not by convicts.

Economy

Main settlement and economic area is the fertile south-east of the state with growing wheat, fruit, vegetables and wine ( founded by German settlers ). The famous South Australian wines are grown for over 100 years in the Barossa Valley along the Murray River; Focus of fruit cultivation is the Riverland region. It is also important sheep farming for wool production. There are iron ore, coal and natural gas resources that are used. The processing industry is concentrated around Adelaide. The main ports are Port Adelaide and Whyalla Airport is the Adelaide Airport ( ADL). The population is about 1.5 million, compared low.

History

The coastline was first discovered in 1627 by the Dutch. 1792 sailed the Frenchman d' Entrecasteaux by on the way to Tasmania on the coast. In the years 1798 to 1802, the British Captain Matthew Flinders explored the coastal area very thoroughly. Establishing a colony but only led the expedition of Captain Charles Sturt in 1830, which drove down the Murray from its source in New South Wales to the mouth. In 1836, South Australia was then a British colony and founded in Kingscote on Kangaroo Iceland a first European settlement. The settlement began with the proclamation of the province on December 28, 1836 at that time there were about 15,000 natives. In the further settlement of the colony, the South Australian Company played an important role.

Universities

• Flinders University, Adelaide
• University of Adelaide, Adelaide
• University of South Australia, Adelaide