47 Facts About Tasmania

In 1855 the present Constitution of Tasmania was enacted, and the following year the colony formally changed its name to Tasmania.

Today, Tasmania has the second smallest economy of the Australian states and territories, which is significantly formed of tourism, agriculture and aquaculture, education and healthcare.

Tasmania is a significant agricultural exporter, as well as a significant destination for eco-tourism.

Tasmania was sometimes referred to as "Dervon", as mentioned in the Jerilderie Letter written by the notorious Australian bushranger Ned Kelly in 1879.

Tasmania is colloquially shortened to "Tas", mainly when used in business names and website addresses.

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Tasmania has the world's largest areas of dolerite, with many distinctive mountains and cliffs formed from this rock type.

In 1901 the Colony of Tasmania united with the five other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Tasmania was the first place in the southern hemisphere to have electric lights, starting with Launceston in 1885 and Zeehan in 1900.

The 1910 foundation of what would become Hydro Tasmania began to shape urban patterns, as well as future major damming programs.

The MS Princess of Tasmania began her maiden voyage in 1959, the first car ferry to Tasmania.

Tasmania is the only Australian state that is not located on the Australian mainland.

Much of Tasmania is still densely forested, with the Southwest National Park and neighbouring areas holding some of the last temperate rain forests in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tasmania is in the shape of a downward-facing triangle, likened to a shield, heart, or face.

The most famous and most visited waterfall in Tasmania is Russell Falls in Mount Field due to its proximity to Hobart and stepped falls at a total height of 58 metres.

Tasmania has a large number of beaches, the longest of which is Ocean Beach on the West Coast at about 40 kilometres.

Tasmania's insularity was possibly detected by Captain Abel Tasman when he charted Tasmania's coast in 1642.

Tasmania reported that the strong south westerly swell and the tides and currents suggested that the island was in a channel linking the Pacific and southern Indian Ocean.

Tasmania has a relatively cool temperate climate compared to the rest of Australia, spared from the hot summers of the mainland and experiencing four distinct seasons.

Tasmania became known as the "Apple Isle" because for many years it was one of the world's major apple producers.

Tasmania has extremely diverse vegetation, from the heavily grazed grassland of the dry Midlands to the tall evergreen eucalypt forest, alpine heathlands and large areas of cool temperate rainforests and moorlands in the rest of the state.

Tasmania has a number of native edibles, known as bush tucker in Australia.

Tasmania has a large percentage of endemism whilst featuring many types of animals found on mainland Australia.

The island of Tasmania was home to the thylacine, a marsupial which resembled a fossa or some say a wild dog.

Tasmania was one of the last regions of Australia to be introduced to domesticated dogs.

Tasmania is home to the world's only three migratory parrots, the critically endangered Orange-bellied parrot, the Blue-winged parrot, and the fastest parrot in the world, the swift parrot .

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The importance of fungi in Tasmania's ecology is often overlooked, but nonetheless they play a vital role in the natural vegetation cycle.

In Tasmania, there are about 90 endangered, vulnerable, or threatened vertebrate species classified by the state or Commonwealth governments.

Tasmania's population is more homogeneous than that of other states of Australia, with many of Irish and British descent.

Form of the government of Tasmania is prescribed in its constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then.

Since 1901, Tasmania has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian Constitution regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth and prescribes which powers each level of government is allowed.

Tasmania is represented in the Senate by 12 senators, on an equal basis with all other states.

The anti-dam sentiment was shared by many Australians outside Tasmania and proved a factor in the election of the Hawke Labor government in 1983, which halted construction of the dam.

Tasmania is on Australia's electrical grid and in the 1940s and 1950s, a hydro-industrialisation initiative was embodied in the state by Hydro Tasmania.

Favourable economic conditions throughout Australia, cheaper air fares, and two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries have all contributed to what is a rising tourism industry.

Tasmania has a long history of scientific and technological innovation.

Tasmania is home to two winners of the prestigious Archibald Prize—Jack Carington Smith in 1963 for a portrait of Professor James McAuley, and Geoffrey Dyer in 2003 for his portrait of Richard Flanagan.

Tasmania is home to a vibrant community of composers including Constantine Koukias, Maria Grenfell and Don Kay.

Tasmania is home to one of Australia's leading new music institutions, IHOS Music Theatre and Opera and gospel choirs, the Southern Gospel Choir.

Tasmania has been home to some early and prominent Australian composers.

Films set in Tasmania include Young Einstein, The Tale of Ruby Rose, The Hunter, The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce, Arctic Blast, Manganinnie, Van Diemen's Land, Lion, and The Nightingale.

The Kettering Incident, filmed in and around Kettering, Tasmania, won the 2016 AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Mini Series.

For example, in basketball Tasmania has not been represented in the National Basketball League since the demise of the Hobart Devils in 1996.

Tasmania now has a wide range of restaurants, in part due to the arrival of immigrants and changing cultural patterns.

King Island off the northwestern coast of Tasmania has a reputation for boutique cheeses and dairy products.

Music events held in Tasmania include the Falls Festival at Marion Bay, the Festival of Voices, a national celebration of song held each year in Hobart attracting international and national teachers and choirs in the heart of Winter, MS Fest is a charity music event held in Launceston, to raise money for those with multiple sclerosis.

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Tasmania is perceived within Australia and internationally as an island with pristine wildlife, water and air.

In more recent times, references to insults against Tasmania are more sarcastic and jovial, but angst against the island still exists.