Portal:South Australia
 The South Australia Portal
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of 984,321 square kilometres (380,048 sq mi), it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which includes some of the most arid parts of the continent, and with 1.8 million people it is the fifth-largest of the states and territories by population. This population is the second-most highly centralised in the nation after Western Australia, with more than 77% of South Australians living in the capital Adelaide or its environs. Other population centres in the state are relatively small; Mount Gambier, the second-largest centre, has a population of 26,878. South Australia shares borders with all the other mainland states. It is bordered to the west by Western Australia, to the north by the Northern Territory, to the north-east by Queensland, to the east by New South Wales, to the south-east by Victoria, and to the south by the Great Australian Bight. The state comprises less than 8% of the Australian population and ranks fifth in population among the six states and two territories. The majority of its people reside in greater Metropolitan Adelaide. Most of the remainder are settled in fertile areas along the south-eastern coast and River Murray. The state's colonial origins are unique in Australia as a freely settled, planned British province, rather than as a convict settlement. Colonial government commenced on 28 December 1836, when the members of the council were sworn in near the Old Gum Tree. As with the rest of the continent, the region has a long history of human occupation by numerous tribes and languages. The South Australian Company established a temporary settlement at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, on 26 July 1836, five months before Adelaide was founded. The guiding principle behind settlement was that of systematic colonisation, a theory espoused by Edward Gibbon Wakefield that was later employed by the New Zealand Company. The goal was to establish the province as a centre of civilisation for free immigrants, promising civil liberties and religious tolerance. Although its history has been marked by periods of economic hardship, South Australia has remained politically innovative and culturally vibrant. Today, it is known for its fine wine and numerous cultural festivals. The state's economy is dominated by the agricultural, manufacturing and mining industries. (Full article...) Selected ArticleDon Dunstan (21 September 1926 – 6 February 1999) was an Australian politician. He was Labor Premier of South Australia between 1 June 1967 and 17 April 1968, and subsequently between 2 June 1970 and 15 February 1979. A reformist, Dunstan brought profound change to South Australian society: his progressive reign saw Aboriginal land rights recognised, homosexuality decriminalised, the first female judge appointed and anti-discrimination legislation introduced. He is recognised for his role in reinvigorating the social, artistic and cultural life of South Australia during his nine years in office, remembered as the Dunstan Decade. Entering politics as the Member for Norwood in 1953, he became infamous in Parliament for his vigorous debating skills and for his unique flair. Dunstan rose through the Labor Party to become leader of the opposition, and then, in 1967 and after elections in 1970, premier. Selected Picture Blue Lake is a large lake located in an extinct volcanic caldera in Mount Gambier. It is known as Waawor in the local Aboriginal language. During summer and the surrounding months, the lake takes on a vibrant blue colour, returning to a colder steely-grey colour for winter. The exact cause of this phenomenon is still a matter of conjecture but it is generally considered likely that it revolves around the warming of the surface layers of the lake during the summer months to around 25 degrees celsius, causing calcium carbonate to precipitate out of solution and enabling micro-crystallites of calcium carbonate to form. This results in a scatter of the blue wavelength of sunlight. The movement of planktonic life-forms within the lake during the seasons and during the day may also play a part in the visibility changes. Did You Know...
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WikiProjectsMajor TopicsGeography – Adelaide Hills • Adelaide Plains • Barossa Valley • Clare Valley • Coonawarra • Eyre Peninsula • Fleurieu Peninsula • Flinders Ranges • Kangaroo Island • Limestone Coast • Mid North • Nullarbor Plain • Riverland • Yorke Peninsula History – Kaurna Indigenous people • European settlement • History of Adelaide • Proclamation Day • Australian Overland Telegraph Line • Timeline of South Australian history Towns and Cities – Adelaide • Coober Pedy • Mount Gambier • Murray Bridge| Port Augusta • Port Lincoln • Port Pirie • Victor Harbor • Whyalla Economy and Politics – Premiers • Governors • Parliament • House of Assembly • Electoral districts • Legislative Council • State elections Culture – Croweater • Pie floater • Wine • The Advertiser • Adelaide Festival Centre • Adelaide Entertainment Centre • WOMADelaide • Adelaide Fringe • Elder Park • The Crows • The Power • The Reds • Redbacks • Hindmarsh Stadium • AAMI Stadium • Rundle Mall People – Kaurna Indigenous people • Matthew Flinders • William Light • Charles Sturt • Edward Gibbon Wakefield • John Hindmarsh • George Gawler • Playford family • Don Dunstan Related Portals
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