Leslie Massey
Western Australia (WA) is a state located in the western part of Australia. Covering a total land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres, it is the largest state in Australia and the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. Western Australia is bordered 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 capital of Western Australia is Perth, which is also the state's largest city and the sunniest capital city in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State | Western Australia (WA) |
| Country | Australia |
| Capital | Perth |
| Population | 2.66 million (2021) to 2.965 million (June 2024) |
| Area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) or 2.5 million km2 (970 thousand sq mi) |
| Geography | Divided into five distinct regions: the Kimberley, the Pilbara, the Mid West, the Wheatbelt, and the Southwest |
| Climate | Diverse, including tropical, desert, and Mediterranean |
| Economy | Mining (iron ore, gold, petroleum, and natural gas), agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, and fishing |
| History | First Europeans arrived in 1616 with the Dutch Dirk Hartog expedition; gold discoveries in the 19th century led to population and economic growth |
| Culture | Isolated from major cultural centres, with Perth closer to Jakarta and Singapore than to Sydney |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Western Australia's geography and climate
Western Australia occupies nearly one-third of the Australian continent, making it the country's largest state. It is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, after Yakutia in Russia. Western Australia is bordered 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 capital city, Perth, is considered one of the world's most isolated cities, being closer to Jakarta, Indonesia, than to the Australian capital of Canberra.
The geography of Western Australia is diverse, ranging from dusty desert plains to lush and wet regions. The Nullarbor Plains, the Outback, and landmarks like the Pinnacles are wild and rugged, featuring spectacular gorges, waterfalls, and rivers. The state also boasts vast wheat fields, forests, and several national parks. Wolf Creek Crater, in the northwest, is an immense hole left by a meteorite 50,000 years ago, while Bungle Bungles is an ancient sandstone massif covering 3,000 square kilometres.
The climate of Western Australia varies significantly, with the northern and southern parts of the state having contrasting climates. The north experiences tropical weather with summer rainfall, while the south has a Mediterranean climate. The Kimberley region in the far north is extremely hot and monsoonal, with average annual rainfall ranging from 500 to 1,500 millimetres, followed by a long dry season from April to November. Eighty-five percent of the state's runoff occurs in the Kimberley, but development has been limited due to violent floods and poor soil quality.
The southern regions, including Perth, experience hot summers from December to February and mild winters from June to August. The southwest coast, in particular, benefits from sea breezes, known locally as the "Fremantle Doctor," which provide relief from high temperatures. In winter, temperatures can drop below freezing inland, and frosts are most frequent in July and August. Snow is rare in Western Australia, typically occurring only in the Stirling Range near Albany and occasionally in the nearby Porongurup Range.
The diverse climate of Western Australia supports a wealth of flora and fauna. The state is home to around 150 species of mammals and several hundred species of birds and reptiles, including common marsupials such as kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats. Waterbirds are abundant in the wetlands of the southwest, while eagles and other raptors are prominent inland. The state's offshore islands are home to seal and penguin populations.
Obesity Crisis: Australia's Weighty Issue
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The history of Western Australia
Western Australia is the westernmost state of Australia. It is Australia's largest state, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). The human history of Western Australia dates back to "over 50,000 years ago and possibly as much as 70,000 years ago" with the arrival of Aboriginal Australians on the northwest coast. Over the next tens of thousands of years, various groups of Indigenous Australians slowly moved southward and eastward across the landmass.
The first recorded European contact was in 1616 when Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog landed on the west coast. Although many expeditions visited the coast during the next 200 years, there was no lasting attempt to establish a permanent settlement. In 1826, an expedition on behalf of the New South Wales colonial government, led by Major Edmund Lockyer, landed at King George Sound and founded 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, that is, the portion west of the 129th meridian east.
The establishment of the Swan River Colony in 1829, which ultimately became the present-day capital, Perth, followed this. The harsh conditions faced by the settlers resulted in minimal population growth until the discovery of gold in the 1880s. Since the gold rush, the population of the state has risen steadily, with substantial growth in the period since World War II. Western Australia gained the right of self-government in 1890 and joined with the five other states to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate on the south-west and southern coastal areas. The state's economy is driven mainly by its mining sector, including gold mining, iron ore mining, and petroleum and natural gas resources. Other significant contributors to the state's economy include primary industries such as agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, and fishing. Western Australia has a rich migration history, with millions of migrants arriving by sailing ship, steamship, naval vessel, and ocean liner. The state has also experienced a period of mass immigration after World War II, with people displaced by the war seeking a new life.
Intimate Photography in Australia: Where to Find It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Western Australia's economy
Western Australia's mining sector is a key driver of the state's economy. The late 20th century saw the development of the state's significant iron ore mining industry, which is now the world's largest, as well as offshore petroleum and natural gas resources. Gold mining also retains a significant presence, and Perth is a major centre for associated services.
Agricultural production in Western Australia is a major contributor to the state and national economy, despite constituting only a tiny fraction of the state's economy and employing a relatively small portion of the state's labour force. In the period 2010–2019, wheat production in Western Australia averaged nearly 10 million tonnes, valued at $2.816 billion in 2019, accounting for half of the nation's total and providing $2–3 billion in export income. Other significant farm output includes wool, beef, lamb, barley, canola, lupins, oats, and pulses.
There has also been strong growth in the services (finance, insurance, and property) and construction sectors. Additionally, revenue from tourism is a strong economic driver in many of the smaller population centres outside of Perth, especially in coastal locations.
Hard Yakka: Australian-Made or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The landscape and wildlife of Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia, occupying roughly one-third of the continent. It is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). It 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 landscape of Western Australia consists primarily of broad plateaus articulated by several mountain ranges, with immense deserts in the interior and to the east. The Kimberley region in the far north is a multisectioned plateau, and the coastline is rugged and dangerous, with strong currents and tidal ranges of up to 39 feet (12 metres). The rolling inland areas are sparsely wooded and scattered with grasses.
The Yilgarn Craton of the Great Western Plateau, which occupies most of the state, has been above sea level for over 2.5 billion years, giving it some of the oldest soils on Earth. The Yilgarn block, a stable granite-gneiss shield area, lies in the southwestern segment of Western Australia. It is a gently undulating, weathered plateau that lies between 1,000 and 2,000 feet (300 and 600 metres) above sea level. To the west of the Yilgarn block runs the scarp of the Darling Range, separating it from the coastal plain of the Perth Basin.
To the southwest of the Great Sandy Desert is the Pilbara region, a rugged, arid landscape of ancient folded and uplifted rocks. The region includes the spectacular red gorges of the Hamersley Range in Karijini National Park and Mount Meharry, Western Australia's highest point at 4,111 feet (1,253 metres) above sea level. On the coast, limestone ranges and gorges make up the arid Cape Range on the peninsula to the west of Exmouth Gulf.
Western Australia has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley, deserts in the interior (including the Great Sandy Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert, and Great Victoria Desert), and a Mediterranean climate in the south-west and southern coastal areas. The state also experiences a variety of weather patterns, with warm, dry winters and humid, tropical summers in the north, and winter rainfall and summer thunderstorms in the south.
Western Australia is also known for its unique and diverse wildlife. The Ningaloo Coast, where the desert meets the sea, is home to an array of underwater life, including corals, fish species, manta rays, dolphins, whales, turtles, and sea snakes. The Ningaloo Reef is a popular spot for swimming with whale sharks and humpback whales, and for snorkelling among clouds of colourful fish and coral. The Cape Range National Park, located beside Ningaloo, is home to the endangered black-flanked rock-wallaby, which was once abundant across central WA and the Northern Territory. Other endangered species in Western Australia include the numbat and the quenda, which can be spotted in the Dryandra Woodland National Park a few hours south of Perth.
Amazon Australia: Shipping to China?
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)
Western Australia's capital, Perth
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is the largest state in Australia, with a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), and is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. Western Australia has a varied climate, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and southern coastal areas. As of June 2024, the state has 2.965 million inhabitants, with over 80% of the population living in the state capital, Perth.
Perth is Western Australia's capital city. It is a dynamic city that balances its natural beauty with a lively after-dark scene. Perth is safe, friendly, clean, and easy to get around, with accessible facilities and experiences for visitors of all abilities. The city is served by Fremantle Harbour and Perth Airport, which is just a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Cycling is the most popular mode of transport for residents, but the city also offers an efficient and affordable public transport system.
Perth has a consistent climate all year round, with a hot, dry summer between December and February and a mild winter between June and August. From September to November, it is the perfect time to spot whales migrating along the coast as the females with newborn calves make their way back from the nursery grounds. The city is home to many parkland areas and nature reserves, the most visited being Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the world's largest inner-city parks. Other popular natural features include Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island.
Perth has a rich history, initially established as a free settlement and later accepting transported convicts from 1850 to supply labour for public works and construction. The name Perth is derived from Perth, Scotland, honouring Sir George Murray, the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, and Member for Perthshire in the British House of Commons. Queen Victoria proclaimed Perth a city in 1856, and the city experienced substantial population growth during the late 19th-century Western Australian gold rushes. Today, Perth is one of the largest metropolitan regions in Australia, with over 350 suburbs and a diverse population, including individuals of British, Southern European, and Asian descent.
Perth is a major centre for mining-related services and has played a crucial role in Western Australia's significant iron ore, petroleum, and natural gas industries. The city has a diverse economy, with primary industries such as agriculture, pastoralism, forestry, and fishing contributing significantly to the state's economic growth. Perth is also a cultural hub, boasting bustling art galleries, historic neighbourhoods, and epic events, as well as many Aboriginal cultural sites and experiences.
The British Penal Colony in Australia: A Dark History
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Western Australia is located in the western part of Australia. It is the westernmost state of Australia.
Western Australia covers a total land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres, making it the largest state in Australia and the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth.
Western Australia is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the northwest and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the northeast, and South Australia to the southeast.
The capital of Western Australia is Perth, which is located in the southwestern corner of the state.
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
