Anthony Paterson

ABOUT AUSTRALIA

The following information was obtained from: http://www.ga.gov.au/

Australia has the right to explore and exploit the seabed and water column in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Australia has one of the largest EEZ's in the world with the total area being greater than the nation's land area. The EEZ generally extends to a 200 nautical mile limit from the coastline of Australia, including the external territories. The size of Australia's EEZs is shown in the table below and can be seen in the map of Australia's maritime boundaries.

Australia is the world's sixth largest country, after Russia, Canada, China, USA, and Brazil. In addition to the mainland, Australia is surrounded by many thousands of small fringing islands and numerous larger ones, which amount to an area half the size of Tasmania.

Several places can claim to be the hottest in Australia, depending on how the temperature is measured: the place with the highest recorded temperature, the most frequent occurrences of high temperatures, or the hottest yearly average.

Rainfall in Australia is highly variable. Not only does the continent have low average annual rainfall but it is also more variable. Rainfall intensity is high in the tropics. The risk of soil erosion increases with rainfall intensity, particularly if vegetation is removed by cultivation or cover is depleted by forest clearing.

The rainfall pattern is concentric around the extensive arid core of the continent. Around the arid centre is the broken margin of more humid lands. In the west, aridity extends to the coast.

For more detailed information on Australia's climate, see the Climate Volume of the Atlas of Australian Resources (Geoscience Australia).

Who's bigger Australia or USA?

Australia 7,617,930 Sq Km's

U.S.A.     9,161,923 Sq Km's

Australia -Did you know?

The border between South Australia and Victoria has an interesting history. It was to have been surveyed along the 141st meridian of longitude. However, through a series of miscalculations, the line was originally positioned 3.6 kilometres further to the west. Lines of longitude were difficult to calculate in the 1800's. Long distances travelled were measured off by chains, which need to be gradually adjusted to compensate for the lines of longitude drawing closer together as one moves away from the equator.

In this case, the two methods used to record longitude gave differing results, so an average distance was chosen. Further more, no adjustment was made to the chains to allow for the distance south of the Equator, and another error was made. The border runs north in a series of steps, until it reaches the Murray River. The two surveyors, Wade and White, managed to survey 450 kilometres of the border between them. They were forced to stop a number of times due to lack of funding and equipment. In 1849, White ran out of water, and lost several bullocks and horses before reaching safety. The survey was finally completed in 1850.

 The error in calculating the line of longitude was suspected in 1868, and confirmed in 1883. The boundary was disputed by the South Australian and Victorian governments. The matter was taken to the High Court of Australia in 1911, and was not finally settled until 1914, when the Privy Council upheld the ruling in favour of Victoria. 

It is an interesting point to note that because of this decision, the western boundaries of Victoria and New South Wales do not meet. The border of NSW is set at 141 degrees east, leaving a section of boundary between Victoria and South Australia that is undefined along the River Murray, measuring 3.6 km from east to west.

AUSTRALIAN FLAGS

Flags Australia is the operating name of the Flag Society of Australia Inc, which is a not-for-profit incorporated association that brings together individuals interested in researching, preserving and publishing information on Australian and international flags. The study of flags is called vexillology. Visit their website for more information (click here)

 Copyright © Anthony Paterson 2005-2010. All Rights Reserved. This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved.