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[[File:Coat of arms of Tasmania.png|right|150px]]

[[File:Tasmania Coat of Arms.svg|right|150px]]

[[File:Flag of Tasmania.svg|right|200px]]

[[File:Flag of Tasmania.svg|right|200px]]

[[File:Tasmania in Australia map.png|thumb|Tasmania in Australia]]

[[File:Tasmania in Australia map.png|thumb|Tasmania in Australia]]

'''Tasmania''' is a large [[island]] off the southern [[coast]] of mainland [[Australia]]. It is a [[state]] of Australia. Its [[Capital (city)|capital]] and the largest city is [[Hobart]]. The island was joined to the mainland until the end of the most recent [[ice age]] approximately 10 000 years ago.

'''Tasmania''' is a large [[island]] off the southern [[coast]] of mainland [[Australia]]. It is a [[state]] of Australia. Its [[Capital (city)|capital]] and the largest city is [[Hobart]]. The island was joined to the mainland until the end of the most recent [[ice age]] about 10,000 years ago.

It is the home of rare animals such as [[thylacine]]s and [[tasmanian devil]]s.

It is the home of rare animals such as eastern quolls and [[Tasmanian devil]]s.

== History ==

== History ==

Tasmania is a state of Australia. Unlike the other states, it is an island. The [[Bass Strait]] separates it from the Australian mainland. The first people to come to Tasmania were the [[Indigenous Australians|Australian aboriginals]]. Aboriginals are the native people of Tasmania and have lived there for a very long time. [[Abel Tasman|Abel Janszoon Tasman]] was the first European to discover the island in 1642. He called it "Van Diemen's Land". It was later called Tasmania. Much later, people came from [[Europe]], mostly from the [[United Kingdom|British Empire]], to live on the island.

Tasmania is a state of Australia. Unlike the other states, it is an island. The [[Bass Strait]] separates it from the Australian mainland. [[Indigenous Australians|Australian aboriginals]] were the native people of Tasmania. The last Tasmanian Aboriginal died in 1905. [[Abel Tasman|Abel Janszoon Tasman]] landed on the island in 1642. He called it "Van Diemen's Land". It was later called Tasmania. Much later, people came from [[Europe]], mostly from the [[United Kingdom|British Empire]], to live on the island.

== Cities and towns ==

== Cities and towns ==

Tasmania has four cities: capital city Hobart, [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]], [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]] and [[Burnie, Tasmania|Burnie]].

Tasmania has four cities: capital city [[Hobart]], [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]], [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]] and [[Burnie, Tasmania|Burnie]].

== Population ==

== Population ==

Tasmania is the smallest state in Australia because it takes up a small amount of area. It also has the smallest population. The total population of Tasmania is just over 500, 000 (May 2008).

Tasmania is the smallest state in Australia. It also has the smallest population. The total population of Tasmania is just over 500,000 (September 2014).

== Places to visit ==

== Places to visit ==

* [[Errol Flynn]] - actor, best known for his role in the 1930s as [[Robin Hood]].

* [[Errol Flynn]] - actor, best known for his role in the 1930s as [[Robin Hood]].

* [[Ricky Ponting]] - Former Australian Cricket Captain

* [[Ricky Ponting]] - Former Australian Cricket Captain

* [[Peter Crumpton]] - Prolific Filmmaker based in Sydney

* [[Peter Crumpton]] - Author

* David Boon - Cricket Player

* David Boon - Cricket Player

* [[Don Kay]] - Composer

* [[Don Kay]] - Composer