|
STATES Tasmania |  |
 sland state to the south of Victoria on mainland Australia. The island was discovered by Dutch navigator Abel Tasman (1603-1659) in 1642 on his trip of 1642-43 when he also 'discovered' New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. From 1642 to 1855 the island was known as Van Diemen's Land but today Tasmania is also known as the Apple Isle.
The smallest State of Australia, the colony was used by the British as a penal colony from 1803 to 1853.
The terrain is mostly mountainous and forested and in area Tasmania is 68,332 sq. kilometres or 26,383 sq. miles.
The Bush Hotel in New Norfolk is Australia's longest-licensed hotel. Lake St. Clair, the source of the Derwent River, is Australia's deepest lake. Tasmania's floral emblem is the blossom of the southern blue gum tree.
 |
feedback to Webmaster