Ruqayyah Snyder
South Australia (SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, covering 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 sq mi) and is home to around 1.77 million people. SA is known for its thriving arts scene and is often referred to as the 'Festival State', hosting over 500 events and festivals annually. Adelaide, the capital of SA, is located on the southern coast and is known as the City of Churches. The state offers diverse landscapes, from coastal towns to deserts, and is a popular tourist destination known for its relaxed atmosphere and natural environment.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
South Australia's geography and climate
South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia. Covering a total land area of 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 sq mi), it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories. The state shares borders with all the other mainland states. It is bordered to the west by Western Australia, to the north by the Northern Territory, to the north-east by Queensland, to the east by New South Wales, to the south-east by Victoria, and to the south by the Great Australian Bight and the Southern Ocean.
The geography of South Australia is characterised by vast plains, low uplands, and extensive salt- or clay-encrusted lake beds that rarely contain water. More than four-fifths of the state lies less than 1,000 feet (300 metres) above sea level. The highest point in the state is Mount Woodroffe, in the Musgrave Ranges of the northwest interior, which rises to 4,708 feet (1,435 metres). The coastline includes cliffs against the Great Australian Bight, including the western side of the Eyre Peninsula. The coast is less rugged on Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent, which are separated by the Yorke Peninsula. The southern areas of the state have a Mediterranean climate, with mild to cool wet winters and hot, dry summers. By contrast, the rest of the state has a drier arid or semi-arid climate. The state's mean temperature range is 29 °C in January and 15 °C in July. Daily temperatures in parts of the state in January and February can be as high as 48 °C, and the temperature in Adelaide, the state capital, often exceeds 35°C during the summer. South Australia receives most of its rainfall during the winter months, with temperatures hovering around 15.9°C.
Three deserts are contained within South Australia's borders: the Great Victoria Desert, the Strzelecki Desert, and the Sturt Stony Desert. The Great Victoria Desert extends into Western Australia and consists of west-east-trending sand dunes. The Nullarbor Plain, a flat limestone plateau dotted with sinkholes, adjoins the eastern portion of the Great Victoria Desert. The northern and western parts of the state are extremely arid, dominated by Lake Eyre and Lake Torrens, mostly dry salt lakes. This arid area is sparsely populated, with many large cattle stations, and significant areas protected as national parks, or as Aboriginal lands.
The Murray River is the only large, permanent river in the state and is a major water source for Adelaide and its surrounding regional communities. The southern coastal zone of the state has been characterised as having a “Mediterranean” climate, influenced by maritime climatic influences drawn inland by Spencer Gulf and Gulf St. Vincent. The higher rainfall occurs along the southern coasts and the north-south-trending Mount Lofty and Flinders ranges, with the highest falls occurring near Mount Lofty (47 inches [1,200 mm]). The lowest rainfall occurs in the vicinity of Lake Eyre (6 inches [150 mm] or less).
The Prison State of Australia: Is It True?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The history of SA
South Australia (SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, covering 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 sq mi) or 379,725 square miles. SA is home to around 1.8 million people, making it the fifth-largest state/territory in terms of population. More than 77% of South Australians live in the capital, Adelaide, or its surrounding areas.
Following the discovery of Kangaroo Island, lawless sealers known as "Straitsmen" began occupying the island. In 1829, another free settlement, the Swan River colony, was established. However, Western Australia later sought convict labour and became a penal colony in 1849. In contrast, South Australia was constituted such that convicts could never be transported there, making it the only Australian state to have never received British convicts.
The South Australia Act of 1834 imposed financial obligations on the colonists that had to be met before the province could be established. George Fife Angas and his banker, Raikes Currie, contributed significantly to meeting these obligations, particularly through the sale of property. By 1835, negotiations were completed for the founding of the new colony of South Australia. In January 1836, Royal Navy Rear-Admiral John Hindmarsh was appointed Governor. Various other officials were also appointed to positions, including James Hurtle Fisher as Resident Commissioner and Registrar, and Robert Gouger as Colonial Secretary.
In early 1836, nine ships carrying a total of 636 people set sail for South Australia. After an eight-month voyage, most of the ships arrived at Kangaroo Island, landing at Kingscote. They awaited official decisions on the location and administration of the new colony.
Throughout its history, SA has had a strong focus on reform and religious freedom. The province was intended as an experiment to address the problems perceived in British society. Land sales to colonists created an Emigration Fund to finance the transfer of a poor young labouring population to South Australia. Additionally, the Letters Patent, which fixed the boundaries of the Province of South Australia, guaranteed land rights for the indigenous inhabitants under the force of law. However, these rights were often ignored by the South Australian Company authorities and squatters, leading to conflicts and deaths in the Australian Frontier Wars.
In terms of transport, ocean transport was the major form of transportation in SA after settlement. Limited land transport was provided by horses and bullocks. The state began developing a widespread rail network in the mid-19th century, and roads improved with the introduction of motor transport. By the late 19th century, road transport dominated internal transportation in SA.
In the 1950s, Woomera played a significant role in the development of space technologies. With US assistance, Australia launched its first satellite, Wresat 1, from Woomera in November 1967. This project made Australia the fourth country to launch a satellite from its own territory.
Today, SA is known as the "Festival State", hosting over 500 events and festivals annually. It is also recognised for its thriving arts scene and is home to research institutes such as the Royal Institution of Australia and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
Applying for Dual Citizenship: Italy and Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
SA's population
SA, or South Australia, is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, occupying about one-eighth of Australia's total land area. However, it is only the fifth-largest by population, with 1.8 million people as of December 2021, making up less than 8% of the Australian population.
South Australia has a land area of 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 square miles) and includes some of the most arid parts of the continent. Its population is the second-most centralised in the nation, with more than 77% of South Australians living in the capital, Adelaide, or its environs. Adelaide, known as the "'City of Churches', is located on the southern coast. Mount Gambier, the state's second-largest centre, has a population of 26,878. Other population centres in the state are relatively small.
The average number of people living in each household in SA was 2.4 in 2021, a decrease from 3.3 people in 1971. In 2021, 68.4% of households were family households, a slight decrease from 68.0% in 2016. The most common type of family in SA was families with no children. In 2021, 41.0% of families were couples with no children, and 16.6% were one-parent families.
The bulk of the South Australian population depends wholly or partly on piped water from the Murray River, which also provides irrigation water for agriculture. Groundwater accounts for about one-third of the total water used in the state, with two-thirds of this amount used on farmlands, mainly in the extreme southeast.
Corporal Punishment: Australian Schools' Dark History
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The state's politics
South Australia, commonly abbreviated as SA, is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, covering 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 sq mi) or 379,725 square miles (983,482 square km). With a population of around 1.8 million, it is the fifth-largest state by population. Adelaide, known as the "City of Churches", is the capital of South Australia and is home to more than 77% of South Australians.
Historically, South Australia was established as a free settlement, with governance divided between the Governor, responsible to the British Crown, and Colonisation Commissioners, who sold land to colonists. In 1842, the British Parliament reorganised the governance structure by abolishing the Colonisation Commission and establishing a Legislative Council to exercise legislative power. The Australian Constitutions Act 1850 further empowered the Legislative Council, leading to the creation of a bicameral parliament and an executive responsible to it.
Today, the South Australian Government, also known as the SA Government, is the executive branch of the state. It is modelled on the Westminster system, with the highest-ranking executive members drawn from an elected state parliament. The South Australian Cabinet, comprising 15 ministers, plays a crucial role in policy determination and implementation.
Local government in South Australia is established by the Constitution Act 1934 (SA), the Local Government Act 1999 (SA), and the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999 (SA). The state is divided into 68 councils and 6 Aboriginal and outback communities, with local councils elected every four years.
Remitting Money from India to Australia: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$23.94 $27.99
Education in SA
South Australia (SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, covering 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 sq mi). Adelaide, known as the "City of Churches", is the capital of SA and is home to a thriving arts scene.
Primary school in SA typically ranges from reception to grade 6 (ages 5 to 12), while high school covers ages 13 to 18. It is compulsory for children to be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday and for all people under the age of 17 to participate in full-time schooling, training, or work for at least 25 hours per week.
In their final two years, students at secondary school must complete the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). School education is funded jointly by the South Australian Government and the Commonwealth Government, with the former providing 89% of the total funding.
Tertiary education in SA includes both higher education, such as universities, and vocational education and training (VET). The state's three main public universities are the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and the University of South Australia. TAFE SA, funded by the state government, is the largest public provider of vocational education, with colleges throughout the state offering a range of specialised courses.
Australian Dollars or Vietnamese Dong: Money in Vietnam
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
SA stands for South Australia.
The capital of South Australia is Adelaide.
South Australia is known for its diverse landscapes, from coastal towns to deserts. It is also known for its thriving arts scene and is often referred to as the "Festival State", hosting over 500 events and festivals annually.
