Tasmania is the smallest of Australia's six states and is an island lying to the south of the south-east corner of the mainland. It is also second oldest Australian colony. The smaller islands that surround Tasmania are King, Flinders and Bruny Islands and these are part of the total area of Tasmania which is 65,331 square kilometers. It has a heart-shape to it and is about the same size as Ireland. The Bass Strait separate Tasmania from the mainland Australia.
In 1642 when Dutch explorer Abel Tasman explored the island he named it Van Diemans Land. The British then settled it in 1803 as a penal colony. Parliament then changed the name to Tasmania in 1856.
On the Derwent River at the south-east coast, Hobart, the capital, was established in 1803. In Hobart's infancy was a major ship building center and whaling port. Approximately 40% of Tasmania's population live in and around Hobart and the rest divided between Devonport, Burnie and Launceston areas.
Tasmania adopted their flag on the 29 November 1875. The flag of Tasmania is a British Blue Ensign defaced with the state badge. The badge depicts a red lion passant on a white disc.
The exact symbolism of the badge is unknown, other than to indicate historical ties with England. The badge was approved by the British Colonial office in 1875 and the design of the Tasmanian flag has remained unchanged since then, save for a slight alteration in the rendition of the lion in 1975 when the flag was officially proclaimed as the "Tasmanian Flag".
Tasmania is predominately mountains and none of which reach a height of more than 1500 meters. The climate is a temperate climate, warm in the summer months with an average temperature of 21C to snow in the mountains during the winter months and an average of 12C. The annual rain differs from 3600 mm in the west and 500mm in the east.
COAT of ARMS
The Tasmanian Coat of Arms was granted in 1917 by King George V and published in March 1919.
The Arm supporters are two Tasmanian Tigers which have in modern times only been found in Tasmania and are now thought to be extinct.
The State Motto Ubertas et Fidelitas means Fertility and Faithfulness.
The various sections represent Tasmania's industries of apples, hops and wool etc. Under the lion's paw is a spade and pick axe to represent the the mining industry.
FLORAL EMBLEM of the State of Tasmania is the TASMANIAN BLUE GUM (Eucalypts globulus)
On the 27th November 1962 the Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalypts globulus), was proclaimed as the floral emblem. The Tasmanina Blue Gum is a fast growing and strong tree with smooth bark. It can grow to a height of over 225 feet. The name comes from the appearance of the young leaves of a bluish grey color. They are very strong in scent more so than a mature leaf and contain large quantities of essential oils cineole and phellandrene. The flowers are the largest of all the Tasmanian eucalypts trees and the buds can be up to three-quaters of an inch in diameter.
Bees collect both pollen and nectar and an amber colored honey is produced. These trees have been introduced in many other countries around the world including Africa, India, California, Argentina and New Zealand. The trees also produce oil and the seasoned timber is also used for building bridges, railway sleepers and wharves.
Tasmania does not have a Faunal Emblem.
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