Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island is located in the Southern Ocean, about halfway between Australia and Antarctica. It is part of the state of Tasmania.
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Geography
The island is located at at 54°30′ S 158°57′ E. It is the Southernmost Point of Australia (including islands).
The island is about 34 km long and 5 km wide, with an area of 128 sq km.
History
The island was claimed by Britain and annexed to the colony of New South Wales in 1810. It was named after Colonel Lachlan Macquarie (1762-1824), a colonial governor regarded by many as the real founder of Australia. The island was transferred to Tasmania in 1890 and leased to Joseph Hatch in 1902. In 1933, the island was declared a wildlife sanctuary and was eventually transferred to Australia under the administration of Australian Antarctic Territory in 1947. The island is now part of the state of Tasmania.
The island became a nature reserve in 1978 and in 1997 it became a world heritage site. It is also a Tasmanian State Reserve.
On December 23 2004 the island was rocked by an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale, one of the largest ever recorded. There was, however, little damage. It was considered part of the prelude of earthquakes prior to the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, but this theory has been largely discounted.
Demographics
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) maintains a permanent base on the island. The base's residents are the island's only inhabitants, ranging from 20 to 40 people throughout the year.
Fauna
Fauna found on the island includes: Subantarctic Fur Seals, Antarctic Fur Seals, and Southern Elephant Seals - over 80,000 individuals. It is the breeding place of Royal Penguins - which breed only on this island, Rockhopper Penguins, and Gentoo Penguins. Rabbits are also found on the island.
See also
- Administrative Heads of Macquarie Island
- List of islands of Australia
- List of sub-antarctic islands
- List of islands of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
External link
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