Lexi Webster
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-third of the country. It is the fourth most populous state, with around 2.5 million citizens, 90% of whom live in the south-west corner, leaving the rest of the state sparsely populated. The state capital is Perth, which is home to over 2 million people. Western Australia has 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. The state has a significant mining industry, with valuable minerals such as gold, diamonds, and iron ore, as well as major deposits of oil and natural gas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) or 2,529,875 square kilometres |
| Population | 2.6-2.965 million |
| Population percentage | 10.9% or 11% of the national total |
| Population density | Low |
| Capital | Perth |
| Indigenous population | 3% |
| Economy | Mining, agriculture, fishing, pearling, tourism, aquaculture, viticulture |
| Industries | Iron ore mining, petroleum, natural gas, gold mining, sandalwood oil, incense |
| Geological history | 4.4 billion years old |
| Highest point | Mount Meharry (4,104 ft above sea level) |
| Climate | Tropical, Mediterranean, desert |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia covers nearly one-third of the country
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-third of the country. It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. Western Australia accounts for 33% of the Australian continent and is bigger in size than Western Europe, four times the size of Texas, twelve times bigger than the UK, and twenty times bigger than England.
The state covers an area of 976,790 square miles (2,529,875 square kilometres) and has a land border of 1,862 kilometres and a coastline of 20,871 kilometres. Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. The state is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east.
The capital of Western Australia is Perth, located on the southwestern coast. While Western Australia is the largest state in Australia by area, it is only the fourth most populous, with around 2.965 million inhabitants as of June 2024, representing 10-11% of the Australian population. Over 90% of the state's population live in the south-west corner, with around 80% living in Perth, leaving the remainder of the state sparsely populated.
The economy of Western Australia is largely driven by resource extraction and the processing of minerals and petroleum. The state is rich in valuable minerals, including gold, diamonds, nickel, iron, coal, tin, uranium, and bauxite, and also has major deposits of oil and natural gas. Primary industries, including agriculture, pastoralism, and fishing, also contribute significantly to the state's economy.
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The state has a low population density
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering the entire western third of the continent. It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. The state covers an area of 2,529,875 square kilometres (975,685 square miles) and accounts for 33% of the Australian continent. To put it into perspective, Western Australia is bigger than Western Europe, four times the size of Texas, twelve times bigger than the UK, and twenty times bigger than England.
Despite its vast size, Western Australia has a low population density. As of June 2024, the state had a population of 2.965 million people, representing 10.9% of the national total. This low population density means that most of the land remains sparsely populated. Over 90% of the state's population is concentrated in the south-west corner, particularly in the state capital, Perth, which is home to around 80% of the state's inhabitants. This leaves the remainder of the state with a very low population density.
The low population density in Western Australia can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the state has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, vast deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. These varying climatic conditions may make certain regions less habitable or attractive for settlement.
Additionally, the state's economy has been largely driven by resource extraction and processing, with mining and petroleum industries dominating. As most mining projects are located in regional and remote areas, this has likely contributed to the population being concentrated in urban centres like Perth, where associated services and industries are based.
However, efforts have been made to address the low population density and promote regional development. The Royalties for Regions (RfR) scheme, introduced in 2009, has channelled 25% of mining royalty payments into regional communities. This has resulted in infrastructure renewal and service improvements, potentially making these areas more attractive for population growth and the introduction of new industries.
In conclusion, Western Australia, as the largest state in the country, exhibits a low population density due to various factors, including climate, industry specialisation, and historical patterns of settlement. While most of the population resides in the south-west corner, initiatives like the RfR scheme aim to encourage development and population dispersal throughout the state.
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WA's economy is largely driven by mining and resources
Western Australia (WA) is the largest state in Australia, covering the entire western third of the continent. It has a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), making it the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. The state has a diverse range of climates, from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior, including the Great Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert.
The primary industry is another significant contributor to the state's economy, including agriculture in the Wheatbelt and temperate southern coastal regions, pastoralism in marginal grassland areas, and forestry in the south-west. WA also has a notable petroleum and natural gas industry, with most resources being offshore.
While WA has a diverse range of industries, the economy remains largely centred on mining resources, making the state susceptible to boom-and-bust mining cycles. In recent years, there have been increasing calls to redirect government spending to rural and remote communities, particularly those involved in mining and associated industries. This led to the development of the Royalties for Regions (RfR) scheme, which reinvests 25% of mining royalty payments into regional communities, facilitating economic, business, and social development.
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The state has a diverse range of climates
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-third of the country. It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. The state has a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) or 976,790 square miles (2,529,875 square kilometres). Western Australia accounts for 33% of the Australian continent and is bigger in size than Western Europe, four times the size of Texas, twelve times bigger than the UK, and twenty times bigger than England.
Western Australia has little freshwater and poor soil, making it difficult to grow crops. Farmers mainly produce grains, wool, and mutton (sheep meat). They also grow grapes for wine. Western Australia's economy is largely driven by the extraction and processing of minerals and petroleum, followed by agricultural commodities and a range of more marginal industries such as tourism and aquaculture. The state's mining sector is a key driver of the economy, with significant iron ore, gold, and nickel deposits, as well as offshore petroleum and natural gas resources.
The state's population is concentrated in the southwestern quarter, with over 90% living in the southwest corner and around 80% in the state capital, Perth. The rest of the state is sparsely populated. As of June 2024, the state had a population of 2.965 million people, representing about 10-11% of Australia's total population.
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Indigenous Australians have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering the entire western third of the continent. It is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). The state has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas.
Despite this history, Indigenous Australians in Western Australia, such as the Noongar people, have persevered and continue to assert their rights and identity. The Noongar people, in particular, have a strong cultural presence and constitute one of the largest Aboriginal cultural blocs in Australia. They have unique spiritual beliefs that govern their worldview, with mythical creatures and stories associated with geographical features in their landscape.
The preservation of Indigenous history in Western Australia has been facilitated through oral traditions and stories. Aboriginal coastal dwellers in both the south and north of Western Australia have preserved stories about extinct Australian megafauna, rising sea levels, and the loss of lands due to the Flandrian transgression at the end of the Pleistocene Ice Age. Additionally, advances in archaeology have contributed significantly to our understanding of Indigenous history in the region.
In recent times, there has been a growing recognition of the need for reconciliation and addressing past injustices. In 1992, the High Court's Mabo decision overturned the notion that Australia was 'terra nullius', recognising Indigenous people's legal rights to land. This was a significant step towards acknowledging the deep connection that Indigenous Australians have with their land and their long history in what is now Western Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-third of the country.
Western Australia has a population of over 2.6 million people, with over 90% of its citizens residing in the south-west corner of the state.
The state capital of Western Australia is Perth, a city on the southwestern coast.
