Australian External Territories
Australia isn’t just confined to the big mass in the South Pacific with poor little Tasmania clamoring around the edge. The country also claims a number of territories. Three of them – the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and the Aboriginal settlement Jervis Bay – can be found on the main continent. The rest are islands scattered throughout the oceans.
Australian Antarctic Territory
Davis - The southernmost Australian Antarctic station, this base is also known as the “Riviera of the South”, for its milder winters (when compared with Mawson and Casey!) It is considered the premier Australian research station on the continent.
Mawson - The oldest station south of the Antarctic Circle, Mawson is one of the longest continuously operating outposts on the continent.
Casey - This area is just outside of the Antarctic Circle and is the gateway to those doing ice-core research. It is the permanent station closest to Australia, and is south of Perth.
Macquarie Island - Although technically a part of Tasmania, this island is also part of the Antarctic Territories.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Less than two square miles, combined, these islands are notable for their petroleum extraction.
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands - These islands are uninhabited and without any permanent bases. Their sub-Antarctic location is ideal for hosting desnse populations of seabirds, seals and penguins. It is also home to a very large, active volcano.
Christmas Island – So named due to the day it was discovered, this popular tourist island is home to approximately 500 people, many who make their living off of tourism, phosphate (there is one mine on the island) and the internet, as the domain name .cx is a haven for gambling sites. Most residents are ethnically Chinese or of other Asian descent.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands – These 27 islands have only 600 residents between them. The largest island is only 6 miles long. In 1978, the Australian government bought the islands from the Clunies-Ross family, who had possessed them since the 1800s. Malay and English are the main languages and 80% of the islanders are Sunni Muslim.
Coral Sea Islands – In the Coral Sea, past the Great Barrier Reef, these islands have no permanent population. They do, however, host a number of beacons, lighthouses, weather stations and a few meteorologists.
Norfolk Island - Only 13 square miles, this island is the home to almost 2,000 people. Formerly a penal colony, the island was “re-settled” in 1856 by 194 Pitcairn residents, who left their country due to overcrowding. As a result, most island natives are directly related to HMS Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives that settled Pitcairn. The residents speak both English and Nofuk – a language derived from 17th century English and Tahitian.
By Court | Permalink
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