Tasmania is the smallest of Australias six states and lies 240 km off the south-east corner of the Australian mainland. More than 40 per cent of the triangular island is protected as national parks and reserves and is home to some of the worlds rarest animals.
| Capital city | Hobart |
| Population | 500 000 approx |
| Land mass | 68 401 km2 |
| Temperature | Summer median: 20 degrees Celsius Winter median: 7 degrees Celsius |
| State emblems | Tasmanian Blue Gum (flora) Leafy Seadragon (aquatic) Crocoite (mineral) |
| Major industries | Agriculture |
The state is separated from the Australian mainland by Bass Strait. Hobart, Tasmanias capital city, is in the south of the state which functions as the main administrative and commercial centre of the state.
Tasmania's population is divided almost equally between the north and south. The population pattern has resulted from geographical, historical and commercial factors which have led to the development of a number of relatively large centres on the island's north coast. These serve as centres for the agricultural and industrial activities typical of the region and include Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
The Tasmanian House of Representative electorates are Bass, Braddon, Denison, Franklin and Lyons.
Tasmania's economy is better placed than ever before to weather the current global recession and has, to date, been relatively less affected than most other economies in Australia.
Economic growth is expected to contract slightly in 2009-10 as the full impact of the global financial crisis is felt.
- A return to trend growth is expected by 2012-13.
- Unemployment is expected to peak at 8.25 per cent in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
(Source: Tasmanian Budget, 2009-10)
