Mainland Australia description, relief, climate, flora and fauna. Mainland Australia: extreme points. Their coordinates and description
They call not only the country, but the entire continent, which is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Like any continent, it has its extreme points. If you recall the geography course in high school, this is the name of the most western, eastern, northern and southern points of the mainland, islands or countries. So, let's talk about all four extreme points of mainland Australia.
Australia's northernmost point
In the very north of the Australian continent, which was the most recently discovered, Cape York is located. It was named by James Cook in 1770 after the Duke of York. This point is located on the Cape York Peninsula, which juts out into the waters of the Coral and Arafura Seas and is famous for many underdeveloped territories. If we talk about the coordinates of the extreme northern point of Australia, then this is 10⁰ south latitude and 140⁰ east longitude. According to the administrative division of the Commonwealth of Australia, Cape York belongs to the territory of the state of Queensland. And just 150 km from this southern point of the mainland is the island of New Guinea.
The southernmost point of Australia
The southernmost point of the continent is South Point. It is located on the northern side of the Bass Strait, which, as you know, separates the mainland from the island of Tasmania. The cape itself is part of the Wilson-Promontory Peninsula, and is also considered its southernmost point. In terms of coordinates, South Point is located at 39⁰ south latitude and 146⁰ east longitude. Administratively, the cape belongs to the smallest state of Australia - Victoria. By the way, tourists often visit this southernmost point, since this piece of land belongs to the oldest national park in Australia, Wilson Promontory.
Westernmost point of Australia
If we talk about the most extreme western point of Australia, then Cape Steel Point is considered to be such. It is located on the small peninsula of Edel Land and is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Among the extreme points of Australia, this cape, rising at a level of 200 m, has the steepest coast of limestone origin. It is noteworthy that the first European who saw the cape in 1697, the Dutchman Willem Flaming, called it Steep Cape in his native language (Steyle Hock). True, later, at the beginning of the 19th century, the French navigator Louis Freycinet renamed the protruding piece of land in the French manner. However, in 1822, Philip King returned the name Steep Point, but in English - Steep Point.
Geographically, the westernmost point of the mainland is located at 26⁰ south latitude and 113⁰ east longitude. Regarding the administrative division of the Commonwealth of Australia, Cape Steep Point belongs to the state of Western Australia, the Gascoigne region. Interestingly, in our time, this piece of land is visited by many fishing enthusiasts.
The easternmost point of Australia
On the east coast of the Australian continent rises Cape Byron, its extreme eastern point. This picturesque piece of land, surrounded by the waters of the Indian Ocean, was named by James Cook in 1770 in honor of British Vice Admiral John Byron, who circumnavigated the world in the 1860s. Geographically, Steep Point is located at the intersection of latitude 28⁰S and longitude 153⁰E. According to the administrative division of the Commonwealth of Australia, the easternmost point belongs to the state of New South Wales.
Now Cape Byron is the tourist center of Australia, where fans of extreme sports flock. On the cape itself, surrounded by magnificent landscapes and clean beaches, there is a beautiful snow-white lighthouse - Byron Bay.
The smallest continent on planet Earth is Australia. With a territory of 7,659,861 km2 (with islands 7,692,024 km2), it occupies only 5% of the entire land mass of the planet. At the same time, the size of the mainland, if viewed from north to south, will be 3.7 thousand kilometers, and from west to east, approximately 4,000 kilometers. In this case, the length of all coasts of the continent will be approximately 35,877 kilometers.
The continent is located in the southern hemisphere of the planet. From the north, south and west, mainland Australia is washed by the Indian Ocean, and from the east it is washed by the Tasman and Coral Seas. Australia is also famous for the largest coral reef in the world (more than 2000 km), which is located on the northeast coast of the continent.
The entire territory of the mainland belongs to one state, which is called Australia. Officially, this state is called the Commonwealth of Australia.
Extreme points of mainland Australia
There are four extreme points that are located on mainland Australia:
1) The most extreme point in the north is Cape York, which is washed by the Coral and Arafura Seas.
2) The westernmost point of the mainland is Cape Steep Point, which is washed by the Indian Ocean.
3) The southern extreme point of Australia is South Point, which washes the Tasman Sea.
4) And, finally, the easternmost point of the mainland is Cape Byron.
Relief of Australia
The mainland of Australia is dominated by plains. More than 90% of the entire land mass of the continent does not exceed 600 meters above sea level. There are also mountain ranges in Australia, which usually do not exceed a height of 1500 kilometers. The highest mountains in Australia are the Australian Alps, whose highest mountain Kosciuszko reaches a height of 2230 meters above sea level. Also in Australia there are the Musgrave Mountains, the West Australian Plateau, the Kimberley Plateau, the Darling Range and Mount Lofty.
The entire territory of the continent of Australia is located on the Australian platform, which includes the mainland of Australia and part of the ocean adjacent to it.
Australian inland waters
According to inland waters, this mainland is characterized as the poorest mainland in terms of rivers. The longest river on the mainland, the Murray, originates from the region of the highest mountain in Australia, Kosciuszko, and reaches a length of 2375 km.
Rivers are fed mainly by rain or melt water. The most full-flowing rivers are at the beginning of summer, and then they begin to shallow, and in some places turn into stagnant reservoirs.
Just like rivers, lakes on the mainland are also fed by rainwater. Such lakes do not have a constant level and runoff. In summer, they can dry out completely and turn into depressions, the bottom of which is covered with salt. The thickness of salt at the bottom of dried lakes can reach up to 1.5 meters. Quite large lakes in Australia can be swamps for most of the year. There is a hypothesis that the south of the mainland continues to rise from the ocean.
Climate of mainland Australia
Mainland Australia is located in three climatic zones at once - this is the subtropical zone, the tropical zone and the subequatorial zone.
The subtropical belt of the continent of Australia includes three climates - subtropical continental, subtropical humid and Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean climate is characterized by dry and hot summers, but warm and humid winters. There are slight fluctuations in the periods of the year (in summer the temperature rises to 27 degrees Celsius, and in winter the air temperature drops to 12 degrees Celsius) and there is quite a lot of precipitation. This climate is typical for the southwestern part of Australia.
The subtropical humid climate is characterized by large temperature fluctuations in different periods of the year (in summer the temperature rises to +24 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to -10 degrees Celsius below zero) and significant precipitation. Such a climate is inherent in the entire state of Victoria, part of the state of New South Wales, which is located in the southwest.
The subtropical continental climate is characterized by low rainfall and large temperature differences and is inherent in southern Australia.
The tropical belt is formed from tropical dry and tropical humid climates.
The tropical humid climate is located in the east of the mainland and is characterized by a small amount of precipitation. Such a climate is formed due to the action of southeast winds, which are saturated with moisture from the Pacific Ocean.
Tropical dry climate is typical for the central and western parts of the mainland. The hottest climate is in the northwest of the mainland - in summer the temperature rises to 35 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops very slightly to 20 degrees Celsius. It is worth noting the city of Alice Springs, which is located in the central part of the continent, where the temperature during the day can rise to 45 degrees, and at night fall to -6 degrees Celsius below zero. At the same time, precipitation may not fall in some places for years, and then in a matter of hours, the annual rate of precipitation may fall. In this case, moisture is very quickly absorbed by the earth or evaporates.
The subequatorial climate on the Australian mainland is characterized by stable temperatures throughout the year (23 degrees Celsius) and high rainfall.
Flora and fauna of Australia
Due to the fact that the mainland is isolated from other continents, the flora of this mainland is very diverse. At the same time, there are plants and animals that live only on this mainland and are absent anywhere else. And due to the peculiarities of the dry climate on the continent, dry-loving plants predominate among plants. For example, eucalyptus, acacia and others. In the north of the mainland you can find tropical forests.
The area of the mainland covered with forests is only 5%. Over time, many trees and plants were introduced from other continents, which took root well in Australia, for example, cereals, vines, some types of fruits and vegetables.
But the variety of animals on the mainland is not so diverse. In total, there are just over 230 species of mammals living on the mainland, more than 700 species of birds and more than 120 species of amphibians. But most of these animals exist only on the mainland and will not survive anywhere else, as they feed on plants that also exist only on mainland Australia. This is such a peculiar world that is worth seeing with your own eyes.
If you liked this material, share it with your friends on social networks. Thank you!
Australia is an incredibly interesting and in many ways paradoxical country. This is the only state that occupies the entire mainland. Most of the country's territory is desert. About nine thousand Australian plants are unique, and people live here several times less than rabbits and kangaroos. From the article, the reader will get information about where the extreme points of Australia are located (and their coordinates). In addition, a brief description of the flora and fauna of the remote capes of the Green Continent will be given.
Extreme points of Australia and their coordinates
Even before the discovery of this continent, people assumed that in the southern part of our planet there is an unknown land. Initially, these unknown land areas were called the South Land. After a journey that revealed the secrets of this continent for us, it began to be called Australia.
The continent is located in the southern and eastern hemispheres of the Earth. It is surrounded by the waters of two oceans at once, as well as many small islands. Not far from it are large islands - Tasmania in the south and New Guinea in the north. Parallel to the northeast coast, the largest coral formation in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, stretches. Another curious feature: the Southern Tropic runs almost in the center of the Australian continent.
To the north and east are the Coral and Tasman Seas: they belong to the waters of the Pacific Ocean. From the west and south, the continent is washed by the seas of the Indian Ocean - Timor and Arafura.
Of the six continents, the Green Continent is the smallest. The extreme points of Australia and their coordinates are as follows:
Between capes York and South Point the distance is 3200 km, and between Steep Point and Byron - 4000 km. More details about which extreme points of Australia, what are their features, will be discussed below.
Cape York
Australia's northernmost point is located on the Cape York Peninsula. The name of the cape was given in honor of one English duke, after the navigator James Cook first circumnavigated the world.
Cape York is rocky, and mangrove forests grow along the coast, where crocodiles live. Sometimes here you can see a phenomenon called "morning glory". It looks like a lot of thick clouds stretching across the sky. The territory of the cape is undeveloped and wild, since it is quite difficult to get to it and locals rarely come here.
Cape South Point
The island of Tasmania is sometimes considered part of the Australian continent when discussing the coordinates of the extreme points of mainland Australia. In this case, its southern point is called the South East Cape, but it would be more correct not to include the island in the mainland.
South Point is located on the territory of Australia's oldest national park. Its name coincides with the name of the peninsula on which the cape and reserve are located - Wilsons-Promontory.
Cape Steep Point
The cape got its name from the Dutchman Willem Flaming, who was the first European to see it. The name is translated as “steep cape”, which is fully justified because of the steep rocky coasts up to 200 meters high.
Steep Point is popular with fishermen. The western point of Australia, together with the Edel Land peninsula, is part of Shark Bay and is under the protection of UNESCO. Shark Bay is a bay with a unique ecosystem. Thanks to the algae that cover its bottom, many plankton, dugongs, bottlenose dolphins and other inhabitants of the ocean live here.
Cape Byron
James Cook also visited the territory of the easternmost point of Australia, naming it in honor of John Byron, the grandfather of the famous poet. In the 18th century, Vice-Admiral Byron went on the ship "Dolphin" to circumnavigate the world, for which his name was immortalized in the name of the cape.
Currently, tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy the incredible views of the Indian Ocean, which open from the observation deck of the lighthouse. This lighthouse is very old - its creation dates back to 1901. Often fans of extreme sports also come to Cape Byron.
Conclusion
So, the extreme points of Australia and their coordinates are now known to the inquisitive reader. These are the capes: York, Steep Point, South Point and Byron, two of which were personally named by the famous traveler and geographer James Cook.
Australia is a huge nature reserve that has no analogues on the planet. Animals similar to those that lived on Earth in ancient times still roam here. Many of them do not live anywhere else in the world. Eucalyptus trees, kangaroos, bottle trees, emu ostriches - the amazing and unique world of the Green Continent constantly attracts people from all over the world.
- a country and in one person, washed by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Here is a high standard of living, rich and many unique places. The northeast of the continent is famous for its length exceeding 2000 km.
Australia's mainland extremes
The extreme geographical points of the continent are known for their beauty, and some of them constantly attract tourists:
- Northern. Located on Cape York, on the Cape York Peninsula. Coordinates: 10 degrees south latitude and 140 degrees east longitude.
- South. Located on South Point, on the Bass Strait, which separates Australia and Tasmania. Coordinates: 39 degrees south latitude and 146 degrees east longitude.
- Western. It is located on Cape Steep Point, on the Edel Land peninsula. Washed by the Indian Ocean. It was first discovered in 1697. The coordinates of the cape are 26 degrees south latitude and 113 degrees east longitude.
- Eastern. The extreme point is located at Cape Byron, and is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Coordinates: 28 degrees south latitude and 153 degrees east longitude. Picturesque views of the cape constantly attract tourists from all over the world.
Extreme island points of Australia
But the extreme island coordinates are located much further than the mainland ones:
- The northernmost island that is part of the continent is the Lizard. It is very close to and intersected by the parallel of 5 degrees south latitude.
- The most remote southern island is Macquarie. This is a picturesque land located in the Pacific Ocean. Its coordinates are 54.6 degrees south latitude and 159 degrees east longitude.
- In the west, the extreme island points of Australia are the Heard and Magdonald archipelago. Hurd is located at 53 degrees south latitude and 73.5 degrees east longitude. Magdonald Island is located very close - 53 degrees south latitude and 72.6 degrees east longitude.
- And the easternmost point is on Norfolk Island, which is at 36 degrees north latitude and 76 degrees west longitude.
Outer cities of Australia
The northernmost settlement of the continent is the city of Bamaga, which belongs to the state of Queensland. It is separated from the extreme northern point by 40 km. And in the south - a village in the state of Victoria, located on the territory of the Wilson's Promontory National Park. To the west is the city of Denham, located 50 km from Steep Point. In the east, the outermost settlement is Byron Bay with 30,000 inhabitants.
1. Working with a contour map:
a) sign the names and coordinates of the extreme points of Australia;
b) designate the climatic zones of Australia and indicate in figures the change in the average annual precipitation in the territories that cross the parallels 20 and 30⁰.
1 - Cape York 142⁰ E. 10⁰ S
2 - Cape Site Point 146⁰E. 39⁰S
3 - Cape Steep Point 113⁰ E. 26⁰ S
4 - Cape Byron 153⁰E. 28⁰S
2. Compare the geographic location of Australia and Africa. Fill the table.
3. Make a forecast of changes in the geographical position of Australia, based on the theory of lithospheric plates.
The Indo-Australian Plate, on which Australia is located, is moving northeast at a rate of 67 mm per year. In millions of years, the mainland will approach Eurasia, and in billions, it may reach North America.
4. What geographical features of Australia are named after travelers, explorers and other people?
Tasman Sea, about. Tasmania, Bass Strait, Cape Byron, Lake. Air North.
5. What large parts in the relief of the mainland can be identified on a physical map?
1. Western Australian Plateau
2. Central lowland
3. Great Dividing Range
6. Is it true that Australia is the hottest and driest continent on our planet?
The statement is not correct.
7. Using the climate map of the atlas, make a characterization of the climate of the points of Australia. Fill the table.
8. What areas of Australia and Africa have a similar climate? Why?
Northern Australia and Central Africa. This is due to the fact that the continents are crossed by the tropics (Australia - the Southern Tropic, Africa - the Northern and Southern Tropics; the climate is subequatorial).
9. When does it get the most rainfall on Tasmania? Why?
Winter (June, July, August). Tasmania is located in the subtropical climate zone, in which precipitation is associated with the arrival of air masses from temperate latitudes.
10. Why is Australia poor in surface water?
This is due to the dominance of a dry tropical and subtropical climate on the mainland. (Most rivers on the mainland are fed by rain).
11. It is known that there are few rivers and freshwater lakes in Australia. How did they solve the problem of providing the population and economy with fresh (or almost fresh) water?
The problem of providing the population and the economy with fresh water was solved by building desalination facilities.
12. What is the peculiarity of the placement of natural areas of Australia?
A large area of Australia is occupied by zones of savannas and tropical deserts, which are located in the central and western parts of the mainland.
13. What are the differences between the Australian deserts and the Sahara:
a) the climate
The deserts of Australia receive more rainfall and the climate is less dry and hot;
b) by vegetation
In the deserts of Australia there are no significant areas of "absolute" deserts, practically free from vegetation;
c) animal world
The fauna of the Australian deserts is the most diverse;
d) on inland waters
The territory of the Sahara is a drain area, most of the Australian deserts are in the area of inland flow; unlike the Australian deserts, the Sahara is rich in groundwater.
14. What plants and animals brought to the mainland contribute to the disruption of links between the components of nature?
Dogs, sheep, rabbits, cows.
Cacti, aloe, oak, poplar.
What components of Australia's nature have been most modified by man?
Flora and fauna; savannahs and light forests have been plowed up or turned into pastures over large areas.
15. Where are the largest cities in Australia located? Why?
In the southeast, east and extreme southwest of the country. These areas have the most favorable natural conditions and were previously settled and mastered by immigrants from Europe (natural conditions and historical factor).
16. How would the climate of Australia change if the Great Dividing Range were located on the western coast of the mainland?
The climate of Australia would become more humid -> the area of deserts would decrease.
17. Determine on the map which islands of Oceania are:
a) mainland
New Guinea, New Zealand;
b) volcanic
Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa;
c) coral
Gilbert, Tuamotu.
18. What natural resources do the islands of Oceania have? How are people using them?
Agro-climatic and natural resources. The basis of the economy of most countries in Oceania is agriculture and fishing. Mining is also underway.
19. What components of the nature of Oceania have been particularly affected by the economic activities of people?
Flora and fauna, soils, surface waters.