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Tasmania, an island state of Australia, became a part of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 through the process of federation. Tasmania was initially a part of the Colony of New South Wales, but in 1825, it became a separate colony under the name Van Diemen's Land. The name was changed to Tasmania in 1856, and the state was granted self-government. Tasmania is Australia's smallest and least populous state, with Hobart as its capital and largest city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Tasmania became a state of Australia | 1901 |
| Previous name | Van Diemen's Land |
| Year the previous name was changed | 1856 |
| Year Tasmania became a separate colony | 1825 |
| Tasmania's population in 1901 | 172,475 |
| Tasmania's population in 2021 | 557,571 |
| Tasmania's population in June 2023 | 573,479 |
| Tasmania's rank in terms of population | Least populous state |
| Tasmania's rank in terms of economy | Second smallest |
| Tasmania's rank in terms of size | Smallest state |
| Tasmania's capital | Hobart |
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What You'll Learn
Tasmania's history and colonisation
Tasmania, a island state of Australia, has a rich and complex history that dates back thousands of years. The original inhabitants of Tasmania were the Aboriginal Tasmanians, who are believed to have arrived on the island via a land bridge from the Australian mainland during the last ice age, over 40,000 years ago. These indigenous people established a diverse and thriving culture, with a deep connection to the land and a rich oral history.
European colonization of Tasmania began in the early 17th century when Dutch explorers first sighted the island. However, it was not until the late 18th century that the British began to show interest in the region. In 1772, Captain James Cook sailed past Tasmania and named it 'Van Diemen's Land' after a Dutch official. The first European settlement was established in 1777 by the British, who sent a group of convicts and soldiers to set up a penal colony at Risdon Cove, on the Derwent River. This date marks the beginning of Tasmania's recorded history and the start of a dark chapter in the island's colonial past.
The British colonization of Tasmania was marked by conflict and tragedy for the indigenous population. The Tasmanian Aboriginal people resisted the invasion of their land, and this led to a period of violent conflict known as the 'Black War' from 1824 to 1832. The colonial government's response to this resistance was brutal, and it is estimated that over one-third of the Aboriginal population was killed during this time. The remaining Aboriginal people were forcibly relocated to Flinders Island in the 1830s, where many died from introduced diseases and malnutrition.
In the early 19th century, Van Diemen's Land was established as a separate colony from New South Wales, and it became a place of secondary punishment for convicts who reoffended in Australia. This era saw the construction of many penal colonies, including the notorious Port Arthur, which became a symbol of the harsh convict system. Despite the harsh conditions and reputation, the colony also attracted free settlers, lured by the promise of land and opportunity.
It was on New Year's Day in 1804 that Tasmania was officially declared a separate colony from New South Wales, and Lieutenant-Governor David Collins established the first permanent European settlement at Hobart Town (now Hobart), on the estuary of the Derwent River. The colony was initially called 'Hobart Town,' but in 1856, it formally changed its name to Tasmania, and Hobart became a city.
In the mid-19th century, Tasmania began to transition from a penal colony to a self-governing state. The transportation of convicts to Tasmania ended in 1853, and the colony established its own elected parliament and gained responsible government in 1856. This marked a new era of growth and development, with the emergence of industries such as agriculture, mining, and forestry. Tasmania officially became a state of Australia on January 1, 1901, when the colonies of Australia federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
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Federation and the Commonwealth of Australia
Tasmania officially became a state of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Commonwealth of Australia was inaugurated. This was the result of a process of federation, which saw six colonies unite to form a nation sharing common laws and goals.
The idea of federation was that nationhood would make the whole country stronger. The colonies would all be subject to the same federal laws and they would all be represented in a federal parliament. At the Australasian Federal Conventions held in the 1890s, representatives from the colonies debated the issue of federation and drafted an Australian Constitution, which outlined how a federal parliament would work. In 1898, Tasmanians voted in favour of a referendum on federation with mainland colonies. However, there were not enough 'yes' votes in New South Wales, so federation could not go ahead at that time. After changes to the Constitution were negotiated, another referendum was held in 1899, with all colonies except Western Australia taking part. This time, all colonies voted 'yes' to federation. A successful referendum in Western Australia followed in 1900, confirming that all six colonies would unite.
The transition from separate colonies to a united nation was peaceful and marked a significant milestone in Australia's democracy. On 'Commonwealth Day', Tasmanians, along with other Australians, celebrated their unity and shared identity as part of a larger national life.
Tasmania's history and path to becoming a state of Australia are unique. It was first inhabited by Aboriginal peoples, who today generally identify as Palawa or Pakana. The island was joined to the Australian mainland for thousands of years, allowing Aboriginal peoples to travel back and forth. Around 12,000 years ago, rising sea levels separated Tasmania from the mainland, forming the Bass Strait. The first Europeans to discover the island were the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman and his expedition in the 1640s, who named it Van Diemen's Land. British colonisation of Tasmania began in the 19th century, and it became a separate colony under the name Van Diemen's Land in 1825. In 1853, the transportation of convicts to the island ceased, and in 1856, the colony officially changed its name to Tasmania.
Tasmania played an important role in the process of federation, and its small but diverse economy, including farming, whaling, and mining industries, contributed to the united nation. Today, Tasmania is the smallest and least populous state in Australia, known for its natural beauty and protected areas, as well as its significant agricultural and eco-tourism industries.
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The island's name change
The island of Tasmania was first inhabited by Aboriginal peoples, who today generally identify as Palawa or Pakana. It is believed that Aboriginal Tasmanians became isolated from mainland Aboriginal groups around 11,700 years ago when rising sea levels separated Tasmania from the Australian mainland. The first humans arrived in Tasmania around 40,000 years ago.
The first European name for Tasmania was Van Diemen's Land, named after Anthony van Diemen, the governor of the Dutch East Indies. The name was given to the island by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in the 1640s. When Britain began settlement in eastern Australia in 1788, its claim extended to Van Diemen's Land, which became part of the colony of New South Wales.
In 1825, Van Diemen's Land became a separate colony from New South Wales. Approximately 80,000 convicts were sent to Van Diemen's Land before this practice ceased in 1853. The island's history as a convict island tarnished its reputation, and so in 1856, the name 'Tasmania' became official, and the colony was granted self-government.
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The state's economy
Tasmania has the second smallest economy of the Australian states and territories. The state's economy is diverse, with major industries including opium, aquaculture, forestry, mining, construction, and tourism. Tasmania's economy has traditionally been based on its mineral, forest, water, and tourist resources. The state has a relatively small resource base and restricted local markets, which has impacted its economic development. However, in recent years, the Tasmanian economy has been performing strongly, with record-low unemployment rates and a significant increase in its worth.
The state's fresh produce and agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the economy, particularly in regional areas, with an economic impact of $336.7 million in the 2018-19 period. The sector employs a substantial number of people, with 2,708 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions directly linked to fresh produce activities. The processing and production of minerals and metals are also vital to the economy, accounting for nearly half of the total value of Tasmania's exports. The state has a diverse range of mineral deposits, including iron ore, lead, zinc, silver, copper, and gold.
Forestry and its associated processing have long been significant to Tasmania's economy. The state's forests contain valuable hardwoods and pulpwoods, and the industry has regained strength in recent years, accounting for a large portion of the country's hardwood yield. Softwood timber and wood-chip production have also expanded, with Tasmania being a significant exporter of these products.
Tasmania is a significant exporter, with a large trade surplus. In 2015-2016, the state's exports were valued at $2.853 billion, with processed metals and metal products being the top category. The top five export destinations were China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the US, and Japan. Tourism is another essential contributor to the state's economy, with 1.19 million visitors in the year ending September 2016, an increase of 4% from the previous year.
The energy supply industry is also fundamental to Tasmania's economy, with hydroelectric generators supplying most of the state's energy needs. The state has been notably active in renewable energy production, with these sources constituting up to nine-tenths of its total power supply. Tasmania has a relatively small population compared to other Australian states, with 573,479 residents as of June 2023, and is the most decentralised state, with the lowest proportion of residents living in its capital city, Hobart.
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Tasmania's population
Tasmania became a state of Australia in 1901 through the process of the federation of Australia. It is Australia's smallest state in terms of both area and population. The state capital and largest city is Hobart, with around 40% of the population living in the Greater Hobart area.
By 1819, the Aboriginal and British populations reached parity with about 5,000 each, although among the colonists, men outnumbered women four to one. The colonial population continued to grow, and by 1824, it had swelled to 12,600, while the island's sheep population reached 200,000. The influx of settlers led to rapid colonisation, transforming traditional kangaroo hunting grounds into farms and introducing grazing livestock.
In the 19th century, Tasmania, then known as Van Diemen's Land, received approximately 75,000 to 80,000 convicts through the practice of transportation, which ceased in 1853. By 1901, the state population had grown to 172,475. In the following decades, Tasmania experienced major urbanisation, and towns like Ulverstone began to grow. The state's economy was riding on mining prosperity until World War I, after which the focus shifted to hydroelectric power development and the establishment of Hydro Tasmania.
As of the 2021 Australian census, Tasmania's population was 557,571, with an average of 2.4 people per household. The population continued to grow, reaching 573,479 residents as of June 2023. The capital city of Hobart remains the largest locality within Tasmania, with a population of 197,451 in the 2021 census and growing to 226,653 in the 2023 census. The City of Launceston is the largest local government area, with a population of 70,055 as of the 2021 census.
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Frequently asked questions
Tasmania became a state of Australia in 1901 through the process of the federation of Australia.
Tasmania was initially a part of New South Wales. In 1825, it became a separate colony under the name Van Diemen's Land. In 1856, the name 'Tasmania' became official, and the island was granted self-government.
Tasmania was named after the Dutch navigator-explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, who in 1642 became the first European to discover the island.
In 1901, the state population of Tasmania was 172,475.
