AUSTRALIA'S NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory has an area of about 1 346 200 square km, and a population of less than 200 000. About a third are Aborigines living on reservations that cover 20% of the territory. The population density is one of the lowest in the world. Cattle raising and the mining of metallic ores such as uranium, iron, manganese, copper, lead, and zinc are the mainstays of the economy. Tourism is becoming more important.

The landscape, from the relatively level coast bordering the Arafura and Timor seas, gradually rises to a plateau with an average height of 457 m. The highest point in the territory is Mount Zeil, with 1510 m. Most of the area is arid, with less than 255 mm of rainfall annually, except for the Top End, the northern monsoonal fringe, where rainfall averages 1525 mm each year.

The Territory is, as the slogan on car number plates says, Outback Australia. A land of contrast, with lush Kakadu National Park in the north and the usually dry region around Ayer's Rock in the south. A land of Aboriginal communities, cattle stations and small towns. A land where nature runs riot and people are laid back and friendly.