Tasmania

If you went about 150 miles Southeast of Australia you would come across its largest island state Tasmania. Tasmania and Australia are simply separated by the Bass Strait. It is the 26th largest island on Earth. It has a population of roughly 500,000 people, about half of whom live in the capital city Hobart. Tasmania and its islands have a total 68,401 square kilometers and the mainland has a total of 62,409 square kilometers. It is promoted as the natural state and also the “island of inspiration” because of the fact that is relatively unspoiled natural environment. Almost 37% of Tasmania lies in nature reserves. From the northern most point to the southernmost point there is about 364 miles, and from east to west there is about 306 miles. Natural Parks and Reserves There are many natural parks in Tasmania but it would take to long to speak of them all so I am just going to cover 7 of them. Adamsfield was once a thriving osmiridium mining settlement, Adamsfield today lies abandoned with scattered relicts. The Cape Bruny Lighthouse was first lit in 1838. The Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the second oldest and longest continually staffed existing lighthouse. The Coal Mines Historic Site was Tasmania's first operational mine. The Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site offer In the very early 1900s, East Pillinger was a bustling port town. Today, the wilderness has reclaimed much of its former glory.s visitors a unique perspective upon a security system which operated during the convict period. Old mine shafts, abandoned farmers' huts and the remains of whalers' camps today form part of the rich cultural heritage of Freycinet. Highfield House can be regarded as the 'birthplace' of European settlement in Tasmania's north-west. Extra information Tasmania is an archipelago of more than 300 islands sitting just 240 kilometres (150 miles) south-east of mainland Australia.While they are part of Australia, they are in many ways quite different. They have more than 1,000 mountain peaks, four mild seasons, more than 40 per cent of their Island is protected as national parks and reserves, and they have some of the world’s rarest animals. Their main Island, which compares in size to West Virginia, the Republic of Ireland or Hokkaido, is home to about 500,000 people. Their air is scientifically proven to be just about the world’s cleanest; their soils are rich and fertile. So their produce, seafood and wines taste wonderful. They do their best to manage their Island responsibly and in 2004 the US National Geographic Traveler magazine’s Sustainable Tourism Initiative ranked them equal third, in the world, for wise land stewardship. 

Works Cited "About Tasmania - Discover Tasmania." //Tasmania, Australia Holidays - Accommodation, Travel Activities, Itineraries, Maps - Discover Tasmania//. Web. 16 Apr. 2010. . //Parks & Wildlife Service - Home //. Web. 16 Apr. 2010. . "Tasmania - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia." //Main Page - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 16 Apr. 2010. . //Tasmania Physical //. Photograph. Web. 11 May 2010. . //Tasmania Regional //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">. Photograph. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.travelaustralia.com.au/graphics/maps_state/tasmania.gif>. (Tease) Tasmania the "Island of Inspiration". Click to find out why.