Sam

=__South Australia__=

__**Native Plants and Animals**__
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__**Marble Gecko**__
The Marble Gecko is native to South Australia. Their natural habitat is provided by our own homes. They feed on insects but mainly flies and mosquitoes, you would often see them stuck to your fly wire or windows searching for food or sleeping.

__Aboriginal History__
Aborigines lived in South Australia for over one hundred and twenty five thousand years. They lived in 6 different tribes, Kaurna, they lived around Adelaide, Ngarrindjeri, they were the people of the Murray River. Pitjantjatjara, they lived around the North West of the state, Andyamathanha, there the people of Flinders Ranges, Narrunga, they were the people of Yorke Peninsula, Boandik, they were the people of the South East of the state.

__European History__
The first sighting of the South Australian coastline by Europeans took place in 1627. In 1792,the French began surveying the Great Australian Bight. In 1802 another French explorer Nicholas Baudin met up with English navigator Mathew Flinders and discovered some of the South Australian coastline. In 1830, Charles Sturt followed the Murray River, exploring as far South as Encounter Bay.

__**Capital City**__
The Capital City of South Australia is Adelaide, its population is over 1.1 million. Adelaide is the fifth largest city in Australia. The Kaurna tribe were the only Aboriginal tribe to live near Adelaide.

[[image:024_2.jpg width="148" height="98" align="right" caption="Sturt's Desert Pea"]]
The Floral emblem of South Australia is the Sturt’s Desert Pea and it became the emblem on the 23rd November 1961. William Dampier discovered the plant in 1699 on Rosemary Island and he described the plant as "a creeping vine that runs along the ground ... and the blossom like a bean blossom, but much larger and of a deep red colour looking very beautiful".



The Hairy-Nosed or Plains Wombat became the faunal emblem of South Australia on 27th August 1970. It is a marsupial mammal and is totally protected in South Australia.The Hairy-Nosed Wombat is a mammal with a wide head, small pointed ears, short muscular legs, strong clawed feet and a tail.

__**Population**__
The estimated resident population of South Australia at 30 June 2007 was 1.58 million, which was 7.5% of the Australian total.

__**Climate**__
South Australian has hot dry summers with mild nights and cool winters, with most rainfall occurring during May to August. Adelaide's average daily maximum temperature in January is 29°C, and in July 15°C. South Australia is the driest of the Australian States and Territories.

__**Time Zone**__
The Time Zone for South Australia is the Australian Central Standard Time they are half an hour behind us.

[[image:images-2.jpeg width="158" height="78" align="right" caption="South Australian flag"]]
The current state flag of South Australia was accepted by the Government in 1904. The flag has a British Blue Ensign with the state badge which is a gold disc featuring a Piping Shrike with its wings outstretched.

__**Major Industries**__
South Australia has the following major industries: meat and meat preparations, wheat, wine, wool and sheepskins, machinery,metal and metal manufactures, fish and crustaceans, road vehicles and parts, and petroleum products.

**__Landmarks and Tourist Attractions__**
South Australia attracts many visitors to its coastline and interior. Many people visit the opal fields and vineyards. The Flinders Ranges are also popular with campers. For those who enjoy the water, there are many popular deep sea fishing charters and Kangaroo Island is 45 minute ferry trip 30 minute plane trip from Adelaide.

**__Government and Laws__**
South Australia is governed by the Australian Government. The state of South Australia is governed by a Premier which is voted for by the public.

__**Mapping and Directions**__
[]. South Australia is located west of Victoria, east of Western Australia and south of the Northern Territory.

**__References__**
//South Australia// author Gott,R 1997 melbourne Reed Libary Aboriginal History European History []Capital City []floral emblem []faunal emblem []population []flag []climate []major industries