Lyla Lindsey
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres. It is home to a diverse range of climates, from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. With a population of 2.965 million as of June 2024, Western Australia is a thriving and diverse state, boasting a range of cities and towns. The state is known for its capital, Perth, which is famed for its serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood. In addition to Perth, Western Australia is comprised of several other cities and towns, each with its own unique charm and attractions. Some of the notable cities and towns in Western Australia include Rockingham, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Karratha, Broome, and Port Hedland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cities | 412 |
| State | Western Australia (WA) |
| Country | Australia |
| Directional location | West |
| Bodies of water | Indian Ocean to the north and west, Southern Ocean to the south |
| Neighbouring territories | Northern Territory to the north-east, South Australia to the south-east |
| Land area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) |
| Population | 2,965,000 (as of June 2024) |
| Percentage of national population | 10.9% |
| Population centres | Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Karratha, Broome, Port Hedland |
| Industries | Mining (iron ore, gold, petroleum, natural gas), primary industries (agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, fishing), shipbuilding, cement and building product manufacturing, food processing |
| Tourist attractions | Kimberley Region, Rottnest Island, Margaret River, beaches, parklands, fresh seafood |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's population and demographics
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. As of the 2021 Australian census, Western Australia was the country's fourth most populous state, with 2,660,026 people. By June 2024, the state's population had risen to 2.965 million people, accounting for 10.9% of Australia's total population.
The state has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior (such as the Great Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert), and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. Over 90% of Western Australia's population resides in the south-west corner of the state, with around 79% living in Perth's metropolitan area (including Mandurah). Perth is also a major centre for mining-related services, particularly those related to the state's significant iron ore mining industry.
The Western Australian gold rushes of the late 19th century, particularly the discoveries in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, resulted in a significant population influx. The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, completed in 1903, transported water 530 km (330 mi) from Perth to Kalgoorlie and is considered an important factor in the state's population and economic growth.
In recent history, Western Australia has experienced a high rate of immigration from Britain, with Perth having the highest proportion of British-born residents of any Australian state: 10.3% in 2011, compared to a national average of 5.1%. Other significant sources of immigrants include Italy, Croatia, and Macedonia, with many arriving after World War II.
Western Australia is divided into local government areas, which are classified as Cities, Towns, or Shires, depending on population size. While there are 412 cities in Western Australia, the state also has many towns and smaller communities.
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The economy of Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, or 975,685 square miles. It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. As of June 2024, the state had 2.965 million inhabitants, accounting for 10.9% of the national total. Western Australia is the nation's fourth most populous state, with 2.6 million inhabitants as per the 2021 census.
The state's major export commodities include iron ore, alumina, crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), nickel, gold, ammonia, wheat, wool, and live sheep and cattle. Western Australia has become known as the engine room of the Australian economy, providing 46% of the nation's merchandising exports in 2018-19. The gross state product during that period was A$260.6 billion (17.5% of Australia's GDP), making it the nation's most productive state, and one of the wealthiest places on Earth with a GDP per capita of A$135,479.
Outside of mining, primary industries such as agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, and fishing also contribute significantly to the state's economy. Western Australia has a significant fishing industry, with products for local consumption and export including western rock lobsters, prawns, crabs, shark, and tuna, as well as pearl fishing in the Kimberley region. Agriculture, including pastoralism, is a major contributor to the state and national economy, with wheat being a key export commodity. Other agricultural products include barley, meat, animals (especially sheep and cattle), wool, and crops such as lupines and oilseeds.
Tourism is also a strong economic driver in many of the smaller population centres outside of Perth, especially in coastal locations. International tourism to Western Australia has been increasing above the national average, with a total expenditure of A$1.94 billion in the year ending June 2011, up 9.4% from the previous year.
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Climate and geography of the state
Western Australia covers nearly one-third of the country and has a diverse range of climates and geographical features. The state is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, west, and northwest, and the Timor Sea to the north. To the east lie the Northern Territory and South Australia, with their vast deserts. Western Australia is divided climatically into two halves by a belt of descending dry high-pressure system airflow, generally along the Tropic of Capricorn. The northern half experiences summer rainfall and is characterised by monsoonal circulation, warm dry offshore winds, and occasional cyclones, while the southern half experiences winter rainfall.
The northern region, including the Kimberley, has tropical conditions, while the interior is dominated by deserts such as the Great Sandy Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, and Great Victoria Desert. The southwestern portion, including the capital city of Perth, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall. This region is known for its tall-tree forests, amazing caves, wild coastline, and small towns. The southwestern section is also a significant wine-producing region, with areas such as Margaret River, Swan Valley, and smaller districts like Blackwood Valley and Perth Hills contributing to Western Australia's reputation for wine quality.
The geography of Western Australia has been of interest since the 17th century when Dutch explorers from the East India Company first visited its western shores. The coastline of Western Australia is rugged, with few bays or natural harbours, and strong currents. The southern coast, in particular, has no rivers entering the sea for about 600 miles from the eastern boundary. The western coast, in contrast, boasts several significant rivers, including the Murchison, Gascoyne, Ashburton, and Fitzroy. The interior of Western Australia is a mix of sandy and stony deserts, with some areas covered in acacia scrub and spiny grass, while other sections are barren and lack surface water.
The state features a variety of landscapes, including low mountain ranges in the southwest, such as the Stirling and Darling Ranges. The highest mountains are found in the Hamersley Range in the northwest, with Mount Meharry reaching a height of 4,104 feet (1,249 or 1,253 meters) above sea level. The Yalgoo Region serves as an interzone between southwestern bioregions and Murchison, characterised by low woodlands of Eucalyptus, Acacia, and Callitris. The Victoria Bonaparte Phanerozoic strata of the Bonaparte Basin in the northwestern part features red earth plains and black soil plains with open savannas of high grasses.
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Cities and towns in Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. As of June 2024, the state is home to 2.965 million people, making up 10.9% of the national population. Over 90% of the state's population lives in the southwest corner, and around 79% live in Perth's metropolitan area (including Mandurah).
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is known for its serene, uncrowded beaches, parklands, and fresh seafood. It is also a major centre for mining-related services, as Western Australia has a significant mining sector that drives the state economy. The state's other significant population centres include Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Karratha, Broome, and Port Hedland.
The state has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior (such as the Great Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert), and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and southern coastal areas. The Kimberley Region, Rottnest Island, and the Margaret River wine and surf region are some of the notable attractions in Western Australia.
Western Australia has a rich geological history, with Hadean zircons formed around 4.4 billion years ago and the earliest direct-known life on land, stromatolites, created by microbes around 3.48 billion years ago. The state also boasts a significant fishing industry, with products such as western rock lobsters, prawns, crabs, shark, and pearl fishing in the Kimberley region.
There are various urban centres and localities in Western Australia, with sources listing data on around 412 cities in the state. These cities and towns fall under different local government areas, which are responsible for maintaining roads, providing waste collection services, parks, and libraries, among other duties.
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The history of Western Australia
Western Australia, the westernmost and largest state in Australia, has a long and complex history dating back thousands of years. The region was first inhabited by Indigenous Australians, who arrived in the area "over 50,000 years ago and possibly as much as 70,000 years ago". These early inhabitants, known as Aboriginal Australians, slowly expanded across the landmass, and by the time of European arrival, they were well-established in Western Australia.
The first recorded European contact in Western Australia occurred in 1616 when Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog landed on the west coast after being blown off course en route to Batavia (present-day Jakarta). Over the next two centuries, various European expeditions visited the coast, with the Dutch charting much of the western and southern coasts of Australia. However, due to the harsh conditions and perceived lack of trade opportunities, there were no attempts to establish permanent settlements during this period.
In the late 18th century, British and French explorers began to show increased interest in the region, particularly in the context of colonial expansion. In 1770, the British annexed New South Wales, but Western Australia remained unoccupied by Europeans until 1826. That year, an expedition led by Major Edmund Lockyer on behalf of the New South Wales colonial government founded what became the port city of Albany. On 21st January 1827, Lockyer formally took possession of the region for the British Crown, claiming the portion of New Holland (as named by Abel Tasman in 1644) west of the 129th meridian east.
The establishment of the Swan River Colony in 1829, which became the present-day capital, Perth, marked a significant step in the colonisation of Western Australia. However, the harsh conditions faced by the early settlers resulted in slow population growth until the discovery of gold in the 1880s, which triggered a gold rush and a significant increase in population. Western Australia gained the right of self-government in 1890 and officially became a state on 1st January 1901, joining the Commonwealth of Australia.
The 20th century saw further population growth in Western Australia, particularly after World War II, with significant contributions from immigrants, especially from Britain, Italy, Croatia, and Macedonia. The state's economy was primarily driven by its mining sector, with iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, and gold mining industries thriving. Additionally, primary industries such as agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, and fishing contributed significantly to the state's economic development.
In recent decades, Western Australia has continued to evolve politically and economically. The state government has changed hands multiple times, and policies have been implemented, such as the historic ban on uranium mining being reversed in 2008. The COVID-19 pandemic also significantly impacted the state, with Western Australia closing its borders to other states in 2020 to control the spread of the virus.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 412 cities in Western Australia, according to Travelmath.
Perth is the largest city in Western Australia, with a metropolitan area population of 2,043,138 as of June 2017.
Perth is also the capital of Western Australia.
Other cities in Western Australia include Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Karratha, Broome, and Port Hedland.
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