Thursday 22 September 2016

The Outback


In Australia the vast desert areas inland are called coloquilly "The Outback" which takes up much of the country with all the major settlements clinging to the coast line in states that were established separately as British colonies until they united into one country in 1901. This inland is sometimes called the dead centre although that is far from true as even the desert areas support a variety of wildlife with birds, marsupials, reptiles and insects who make this most inhospitable area home as water can be found particularly from the condensation on plants at night.

It is home too for many native Aboriginal tribes who developed separately and still use their unique languages who used to trade (or stole) items including women with each other to ensure that inbreeding did not take place. Another outback inhabitant is the camel who though not native to Australia was brouight over from India in the late 1800's together with local handlers known as Afghans. These were used as beasts of burden that could endure the harsh climate until proper roads and railways were built in the 20th century. Many camels still survive and roam free and at Alice Springs the town in the centre of the continent they still have a camel cup carnival where races are held just as in the Middle East.



Image 1 found at www.abc.net.au
Image 2 found at www.thefiscaltimes.com

9 comments:

  1. Thank you, you've made me want to visit your country even more!

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  2. Such interesting information. My knowledge of the Outback is vague. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I had no idea there were camels roaming in the Outback!

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  4. I'd never heard about the camels before! It would be an interesting area to visit, not too sure I'd want to live in the outback though!! :-)

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  5. Crocodile Dundee, waltzing Matilda, and the Outback restaurant have created a false
    Conception of what's down under. I need to get there and rectify that!

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  6. I'm with everyone else on this... gots to be a very nice country. (My first requirement for a country to be 'nice' is lots of coastline!...)
    really need to figure out how to visit down there

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  7. Now I want to visit too! I never knew there were camels in Australia. Thank you!

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  8. Another one for "who knew?" on the camel topic. I guess it makes sense, though. Fascinating!

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