Some Facts About Tasmania
Aborigines migrated to Tasmania 20 000 to 35 000 years ago when sea level was lower and Bass Strait provided a land link with mainland Australia. The link was broken about 13 000 years ago as the sea level rose. European contact first occurred in 1642 when Captain Abel Tasman of the Dutch East India Company sighted the rugged West Coast. Following Dutch, English and French exploration, Van Diemen's Land became a British colony in 1803, when the British feared the French were going to claim it and colonized Hobart to prevent this. Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia, and retains many of its early buildings. The State was renamed Tasmania in 1856 and was an Original State playing an important part in forming the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. Hobart lawyer and politician Inglis Clark had a major hand in drafting the Constitution.
Population
The population of Tasmania is about 480 000. The main cities and towns are Hobart (capital city with 195 000 people), Launceston (98 000), Burnie (18 000) and Devonport (25 000).
Climate
Tasmania enjoys a temperate, maritime climate. Nights can be cool throughout the year, so it is recommended that you bring a warm jumper or jacket. Layering is a good idea. The average summer temperature is a comfortable 21°C (70°F). It can occasionally get up to 35°C, and it can also snow though very rarely. Hobart has the second lowest average rainfall of all Australian capitals so we hope for fine weather during the Conference weekend.
Web resources
For more information about Tasmania see:
http://www.discovertasmania.com/home/index.cfm
http://www.tas.gov.au/
