Australias Concentrated Population - Dilshan
Australia’s Concentrated Population Distribution
Australia’s concentrated population distribution may seem haphazard at first glance. However, the population is weighted in certain coastal regions for a multitude of reasons. Picture 1 shows that Australia’s population is concentrated in two coastal regions. By far the largest of these is located in the East and South-east. The smaller region is located in the south west of the continent. In fact, half the area of the continent contains only 0.3% of Australia’s population, and the most densely populated 1% contains 84% of the population. Why do Australian’s live in specific regions? Out current settlement pattern was influenced by a variety of factors, including: Historic reasons, potential land usage, water resources, power, transport, industry and trade.
Historical past
The historical past of Australia strongly influenced the settlement patterns of today. In 1788, Captain James Cook landed in Botany Bay. The settlement he created went on to become the largest and most populous city in Australia: Sydney. Contrary to popular belief, Captain Cook did not land at Sydney for no productive reason. The decision was made after finding Sydney had the resources to sustaining a population of any sort. Sydney had fresh water – a requirement of human survival. The land in the area was relatively flat with good clearing, allowing for the easy productions of farms. Importantly, Sydney was located in an ideal coastal area, with a harbor. In Cooks time, everything was done by boat and ship. This meant that the settlement must be near the coast. Also, the harbor meant that ships would be protected from bad weather and attack. The decision to stop in Sydney came from a variety of factors which make it the ideal place to settle.
Land Use
The Europeans regarded land as a resource. Settlements were created where land was suitable to produce food. The highly fertile soils in the south-east coast attracted farming. Take Sydney as an example. Sydney has flat land, making it ideal for farming purposes. The soil is not salty, eliminating a potential barrier to the growing of plants. There is also food and space for cattle to roam. Without certain land characteristics, food may not be grown and settlements would not form. Land use resulted in concentrated populations near the coasts. Picture two (below) shows the modern day land use of Australian regions.
Water Resources
Water is vital to sustain any kind of population. It is for this reason that all settlements must have access to fresh water of some kind. This contributed heavily to Australia’s concentrated population distribution. Towns such as Perth and Darwin were formed in coastal areas due to the easy access to water. Coastal regions received moderate rainfall, excellent for growing plants and for catchments. Coastal regions are also relatively flat, reducing runoff.
Power
Major cities were created near possible power sources, to supply the city with energy. Early energy sources were mainly running water and coal, and settlements were created in these areas. Cities such as Newcastle developed due to its abundance of coal.
Transport
Australia’s population is also distributed accordingly to transport facilities. Early settlements developed due to their naval transport opportunities. For example, Sydney was colonised partly due to its harbour, which would protect ships from bad weather and attack. Coastal towns from Sydney are located about a two hour drive away. This is not coincidence. Settlements were created where explorers set up camp after one full day’s horse ride – two hours of driving. An example is Wollongong, a two hour drive away from Sydney. Some towns were also created as they were an intersection between transport routes, such as Albury.
Industry
Industrial opportunities also created various towns and settlements, contributing to Australia’s population distribution. The abundance of resources in various parts of Australia meant that towns were formed to provide for the workers and miners who were excavating the site. For example, Mt Isa and Newcastle developed to provide for its miners. Also, small towns developed near farms to provide the farmers with basic necessities such as bread. In the middle of several of these farming regions, a large town formed, providing the small towns and farmers with larger items, such as tractors and tools. Coffs Harbour was created in the middle of agricultural regions for this purpose.
By Dilshan
Australia’s concentrated population distribution may seem haphazard at first glance. However, the population is weighted in certain coastal regions for a multitude of reasons. Picture 1 shows that Australia’s population is concentrated in two coastal regions. By far the largest of these is located in the East and South-east. The smaller region is located in the south west of the continent. In fact, half the area of the continent contains only 0.3% of Australia’s population, and the most densely populated 1% contains 84% of the population. Why do Australian’s live in specific regions? Out current settlement pattern was influenced by a variety of factors, including: Historic reasons, potential land usage, water resources, power, transport, industry and trade.
Historical past
The historical past of Australia strongly influenced the settlement patterns of today. In 1788, Captain James Cook landed in Botany Bay. The settlement he created went on to become the largest and most populous city in Australia: Sydney. Contrary to popular belief, Captain Cook did not land at Sydney for no productive reason. The decision was made after finding Sydney had the resources to sustaining a population of any sort. Sydney had fresh water – a requirement of human survival. The land in the area was relatively flat with good clearing, allowing for the easy productions of farms. Importantly, Sydney was located in an ideal coastal area, with a harbor. In Cooks time, everything was done by boat and ship. This meant that the settlement must be near the coast. Also, the harbor meant that ships would be protected from bad weather and attack. The decision to stop in Sydney came from a variety of factors which make it the ideal place to settle.
Land Use
The Europeans regarded land as a resource. Settlements were created where land was suitable to produce food. The highly fertile soils in the south-east coast attracted farming. Take Sydney as an example. Sydney has flat land, making it ideal for farming purposes. The soil is not salty, eliminating a potential barrier to the growing of plants. There is also food and space for cattle to roam. Without certain land characteristics, food may not be grown and settlements would not form. Land use resulted in concentrated populations near the coasts. Picture two (below) shows the modern day land use of Australian regions.
Water Resources
Water is vital to sustain any kind of population. It is for this reason that all settlements must have access to fresh water of some kind. This contributed heavily to Australia’s concentrated population distribution. Towns such as Perth and Darwin were formed in coastal areas due to the easy access to water. Coastal regions received moderate rainfall, excellent for growing plants and for catchments. Coastal regions are also relatively flat, reducing runoff.
Power
Major cities were created near possible power sources, to supply the city with energy. Early energy sources were mainly running water and coal, and settlements were created in these areas. Cities such as Newcastle developed due to its abundance of coal.
Transport
Australia’s population is also distributed accordingly to transport facilities. Early settlements developed due to their naval transport opportunities. For example, Sydney was colonised partly due to its harbour, which would protect ships from bad weather and attack. Coastal towns from Sydney are located about a two hour drive away. This is not coincidence. Settlements were created where explorers set up camp after one full day’s horse ride – two hours of driving. An example is Wollongong, a two hour drive away from Sydney. Some towns were also created as they were an intersection between transport routes, such as Albury.
Industry
Industrial opportunities also created various towns and settlements, contributing to Australia’s population distribution. The abundance of resources in various parts of Australia meant that towns were formed to provide for the workers and miners who were excavating the site. For example, Mt Isa and Newcastle developed to provide for its miners. Also, small towns developed near farms to provide the farmers with basic necessities such as bread. In the middle of several of these farming regions, a large town formed, providing the small towns and farmers with larger items, such as tractors and tools. Coffs Harbour was created in the middle of agricultural regions for this purpose.
By Dilshan
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