Lexi Webster
Western Australia (WA) is the largest state in Australia, covering an area of 2,529,875 square kilometres (or 975,685 square miles) and situated on the western third of the continent. It is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, after Yakutia in Russia. WA has a diverse range of climates, from tropical conditions in the north to deserts in the interior and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west. The state is bordered 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. Its capital, Perth, is one of the largest metropolitan regions in Australia and is considered one of the most isolated cities in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) or 2.5 million km2 (970 thousand sq mi) |
| Population | 2.92 million (2023) or 2.965 million (June 2024) |
| Capital | Perth |
| Other major cities | Bunbury, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany |
| Rivers | The Fitzroy, The Ord, The De Grey, The Fortescue, The Ashburton |
| Lakes | Lake Argyle (Australia's largest freshwater lake) |
| Mountain ranges | Stirling Range, Porongurup Range, Wongan Hills, Salmon Gums, Hamersley Range, Kimberley |
| Deserts | Great Sandy Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, Great Victoria Desert |
| Climate | Tropical, semi-arid, desert, Mediterranean |
| Flora | 10,162 native vascular plant species, 1,196 unpublished species, 1,276 invasive species |
| Fauna | 630 bird species, 25 biogeographic regions, 80 IBRA regions |
| Geology | Yilgarn Craton, Pilbara Craton, Deccan Plateau, oldest soils |
| Economy | Mining (iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, gold), primary industry (agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, fishing) |
| Tourism | Whitest beach, largest outback, UNESCO World Heritage sites, surfing, wines |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Western Australia's geography
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia, occupying roughly one-third of the country's total area. It is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of around 2,500,000 square kilometres. 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 total length of its eastern border is 1,862 kilometres, and it boasts a lengthy coastline of 20,781 kilometres, including 7,892 kilometres of island coastline—the longest in the country.
The landscape of Western Australia varies from broad plateaus articulated by mountain ranges in the north and west to immense deserts in the east. The Kimberley region in the far north is a multisectioned plateau with a rugged coastline, and the interior is covered by several deserts, including the Great Sandy Desert, the Great Victoria Desert, and the Gibson Desert. The Pilbara region to the southwest of the Great Sandy Desert is a rugged, arid landscape of ancient folded and uplifted rocks, including the spectacular red gorges of the Hamersley Range. The Western Plateau, which covers much of the interior, and the semi-desert Pilbara shrublands, Carnarvon xeric shrublands, and Western Australian mulga shrublands to the southwest are also notable features of the state's geography.
The climate of Western Australia is diverse, ranging from tropical conditions in the Kimberley to deserts in the interior and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. The northern section of the state falls within a tropical zone, while almost two-thirds of the state lies within a temperate zone. Rainfall varies across the state, with much of the interior receiving between 50 and 300 millimetres per year and coastal areas receiving between 400 and 1,500 millimetres per year. Forested areas generally experience higher rainfall, and the southern half of the state is significantly affected by the depletion of atmospheric ozone. Snow is rare in Western Australia, typically occurring only in the Stirling Range near Albany, and the nearby Porongurup Range.
Western Australia is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with around 630 species of birds and 11,358 native vascular plant species. The south-west region is known for its abundant plant species, and the state's ecoregions include the sandstone gorges of the Kimberley and the drier Victoria Plains tropical savanna inland. The state's geology also has some of the oldest components in the world, dating back 4.4 billion years with the formation of Hadean zircons. The Yilgarn craton, which makes up most of the state, has been above sea level for over 2.5 billion years.
Risk Game: Australia's Countries and Territories
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Population and demographics
Western Australia is the fourth most populous state in Australia, with a population of 2,660,026 as per the 2021 census. As of June 2024, the state's population was recorded to be 2.965 million, accounting for 10.9% of the national population. The capital, Perth, is the state's population centre, with around 80% of Western Australia's population living in the city. Perth is also a major hub for mining-related services, particularly gold and iron ore.
The population of Western Australia has historically been centred in the greater Perth area. The British settler population in 1832 was around 1,500, and the population grew slowly until the 1890s, when significant gold discoveries in Kalgoorlie led to a population boom. The Western Australian gold rushes of the late 19th century resulted in a significant influx of people, and the state's population grew further with the development of the mining sector in the late 20th century. The mining industry remains a key driver of Western Australia's economy and population growth.
The Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, completed in 1903, is another example of how water infrastructure has influenced the population distribution in Western Australia. The scheme provided water to the goldfields region, supporting the growing population in that area.
The majority of Western Australia's population lives in the southwest corner of the state, where the climate is Mediterranean and the population density is high. This area is known as the "comfortable zone" due to its favourable climate and agricultural potential. The southwest region is also a biodiversity hotspot, with a high number of plant species and bird-watching areas.
Outside of Perth and the southwest, Western Australia is sparsely populated. The landscape is diverse, ranging from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior, including the Great Sandy Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, and the semi-desert Pilbara shrublands. The state's northern and western regions consist primarily of broad plateaus and mountain ranges, with rugged coastlines and sparse woodland. Snow is rare in Western Australia, typically occurring only in the Stirling Range near Albany.
Phillip Island: A Small Island with Big Attractions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Climate and weather
Western Australia's climate varies significantly across the region, from arid to semi-arid and Mediterranean. The northern and southern parts of the state have contrasting climates. The north experiences a tropical climate with summer rainfall, while the south has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The temperature in the north can reach as high as 37ºC during the summer months, while in the south, the temperature ranges from 8°C to 16°C during winter.
The capital city of Western Australia, Perth, is located in the south-west and has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. February is typically the hottest month, with an average high of 31.7 °C (89.1 °F), and July is the coldest, with an average low of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F). Perth experiences a significant amount of sunshine, with an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day and around 3,200 hours of sunshine annually, making it the sunniest capital city in Australia.
The weather in Western Australia is largely influenced by the movement of an anticyclone, which produces winds in an east-west direction across the continent for about half the year. During the winter, this system moves northward, resulting in clear skies and sunny days in the tropical regions. To the south of this anticyclonic system, westerly winds and cold fronts bring cool, cloudy weather, rain, and gales along the southern coast.
Western Australia has experienced notable changes in its climate over the last century, particularly in the last 50 years. The average temperature has risen by about 1°C, and rainfall patterns have shifted. While rainfall has increased in the north and interior, it has declined along the west coast and the lower south-west, with a decrease of up to 20% in some areas. These changes have impacted various aspects of life, including agriculture and the natural environment.
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have also increased in Western Australia. Tropical cyclones, although rare in Perth, can bring heavy rainfall to the region, with the highest one-day rainfall total recorded in Perth being 114.4 millimetres in February 2017. Additionally, the risk of fire weather has increased across the state, with a significant rise in extreme fires in certain areas.
Transfer Money Australia to USA: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Flora and fauna
Western Australia is known for its diverse flora and fauna. It is home to 41 of Australia's 207 mammal species, 439 reptile species, 1,600 fish species, and over 12,000 species of wildflowers, making it the largest collection of wildflowers in the world. The region boasts pristine coastlines, towering forests, ancient river gorges, beehive-like rock formations, red-rock cliffs, glittering caves, and coastal paradises.
The first scientific collection of flora from Western Australia was made by William Dampier near Shark Bay and in the Dampier Archipelago in 1699. Notable botanists who have studied the region's flora include Robert Brown, who collected over 600 specimens from Western Australia between 1801 and 1803, and Ludwig Preiss, who collected approximately 200,000 plant specimens from December 1838 to January 1842. The Western Australian Herbarium provides an interactive resource called Florabase, which offers information about the state's extraordinary botanical diversity. Some unique plant species in Western Australia include the Physarum pusillum, a slime mould characterised by a globose sporotheca; the Dictyota cyanoloma, an unusual brown alga that appears blue underwater; and the Albany Pitcher Plant (Cephalotus follicularis), an insectivorous perennial herb.
Western Australia is also known for its fascinating fauna. The quokka, often referred to as the happiest marsupial on Earth, is a notable resident of the region. Other unique fauna in Western Australia include the western ground parrot, which is rare and elusive, and the western swamp tortoise, which has a long lifespan of at least 80 years. The region has experienced high rates of terrestrial mammal extinction, with 10% of endemic species becoming extinct over the past 200 years, mainly due to introduced species such as feral cats and European red foxes.
The biodiversity of Western Australia's subterranean fauna is also remarkable, with more than 4,100 species estimated to occur in the region. Recent discoveries include 24 new species of microcrustacean (Parabathynellidae) in the Pilbara region, representing 22% of the world's diversity. At least three fish species occur in groundwater systems, including the blind cave gudgeon (Milyeringa veritas) and the blind cave eel (Ophisternon candidum), which are both listed as vulnerable freshwater fish species.
Buddhism's Growth in Australia: A Cultural Shift
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$30.75 $32.99
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
History
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia, covering an area of more than 2.5 million square kilometres. It is the largest state in Australia, and the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, occupying roughly one-third of the total area of the continent. The state is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the northeast, and South Australia to the southeast.
The human history of Western Australia dates back "over 50,000 years ago and possibly as much as 70,000 years ago" with the arrival of Aboriginal Australians on the northwest coast. The first recorded European contact was in 1616 when Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog landed on the west coast. The Portuguese may have sighted the Western Australian coast during the 1520s, but this is not authenticated. The first English vessel to visit was in 1622, under the command of John Brookes. However, despite many expeditions to the coast over the next 200 years, there was no lasting attempt to establish a permanent settlement until December 1826, when an expedition led by Major Edmund Lockyer landed at King George Sound, founding what became the port city of Albany. On 21 January 1827, Lockyer formally took possession for the British Crown of the portion of New Holland not yet claimed by the crown—the portion west of the 129th meridian east.
In 1829, the Government of Western Australia Act was passed, allowing the Crown to appoint three or more people to jointly make laws for the colony. In 1830, the first exploration beyond the Darling Range took place to search for suitable farming land, leading to the settlement of the Avon Valley and the foundation of York in 1831. The main settlement was officially named Perth, after Sir George Murray's seat in Perthshire, Scotland. Sheep farming was the most successful early agricultural activity and the basis of all expansion until the 1850s.
In the late 19th century, a series of major gold finds brought a massive influx of migrants from the economically depressed eastern colonies, with the population quadrupling to nearly 180,000 in 1900. In 1890, the new Western Australian Parliament was formed, with the first premier being the native-born explorer, surveyor, and local hero Sir John Forrest.
In 1950, Western Australia saw the worst civil aircraft accident in Australian history when all 29 people on board the Douglas DC-4 Amana died after it crashed near York. In 1952, the first nuclear bomb was exploded on Australian soil at the Montebello Islands as part of Operation Hurricane, Britain's first nuclear weapon test. In 1961, Western Australia experienced some of its worst bushfires, with many small communities destroyed, including 132 houses in Dwellingup. In the same year, Aboriginal people were granted full rights to vote, and a minerals boom began with the removal of the iron ore export ban.
In 1997, the Western Australian parliament issued a formal apology to the stolen generation. In 2020, Western Australia closed its borders to all states of Australia to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Founding of the Australian Army: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Western Australia covers an area of around 2.5 million square kilometres.
Western Australia occupies nearly one-third of the Australian continent, making it the largest state in Australia.
Western Australia is one of the largest states in the world, roughly the size of Western Europe. It is also the second-largest administrative territory in the world, after Yakutia in Russia.
As of 2023, the population of Western Australia is approximately 2.92 million.
The capital of Western Australia is Perth, which is located on the southwest coast.
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
