Facts About Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and a state by the same name. It is situated about 240 km south of the eastern side of Australia. Tasmania is made up of the island of Tasmania and the other surrounding islands. About 37% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites. It is spread over 364 kms. from the northernmost point to the southernmost point. The capital city, Hobart is the largest city in Tasmania. Some other important centers in the island include Launceston in the north to Devonport and Burnie in the northwest.  This Australia’s only Island state was home to Australia’s first legal Casino. This beautiful once was inhabited by prisoners From Ireland and Great Britain and they lived at the prison of Port Arthur. Tassie as it is fondly called, also boasts of being the greenest of Australia’s Islands. Read on and find out about some interesting and fun facts about Tasmania.

• Tasmania is named after Abel, Tasman, the Dutch explorer who was the first European to explore the Island in 17th century. The Island was named Van Diemen’s Land in honor of the governor of the Dutch East Indies at that time.
• Tasmania is the largest of Australia's islands and the 26th largest Island in the world.
• Tasmania is similar in size to the Republic of Ireland or Sri Lanka.
• The coastline of Tasmania is spread over more than 3,000 kms.
• Bass Strait separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland.
• Tasmania is named the 'Best Temperate Island in the World' twice, by the International travel magazine 'Conde Nast Traveler'.
• While the west coast of Tasmania is one of the wettest places in the world, Hobart, the capital is the second-driest capital city in Australia.
• Some unique native conifers grow here, which include slow-growing Huon pines, with one specimen located on Mt Read, estimated to be up to 10,000 years old.
• Tasmania is home to many mammals that once roamed the continent of Australia. It is also the only place where a Tasmanian devil is visible, in the wild.
• The 'Theatre Royal' located in Hobart is Australia's oldest operational, live theatre.
• Tasmania has the deepest natural freshwater and deepest caves in the whole of Australia.
• The largest lavender farm in the world is located in Tasmania.
• Tasmania has 68 golf courses in total, which is more than any other state in Australia.
• Tasmania is situated closer to the equator than Rome or Chicago.
• The island state of Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world and its rainwater is so pure that it has even been shipped to the Australian athletes who have been competing in the Olympics.
• Tasmania contains the most complete ruins of a convict settlement, situated at Port Arthur.
• The oldest brewery of Australia, the Cascade brewery is located at Tasmania (Hobart).
• The forests of Tasmania include some of the most unique species, which includes myrtle, black wood, sassafras, leatherwood, celery top pine, etc.
• Tasmania also boasts of a specific tree which is grown only there, known by the name, Huon pine tree which has a golden texture and smell and is one of the oldest plants on Earth.
• Tasmania has a cooler weather as compared to the rest of Australia and has the four distinct seasons, similar to that of the United States.
• As Tasmania is located in the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are just reverse to United States as they experience summer from December to February Autumn from March to May and winter from June to July and Spring until October.
• Tasmania is also known as 'Apple Isle'. Once the area was one of the most prominent apple growing areas in the world and still is one of the major apple producers.