Far North Queensland
| Far North Queensland Queensland |
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 Map of Far North Queensland |
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| Population: | 275058 (2010) |
| Area: | 273147.6 km² (105,462.9 sq mi) |
| LGA: | Aurukun, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook, Hopevale, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw, Tablelands, Torres, Torres Strait Islands, Weipa, Wujal Wujal, Yarrabah |
| State electorate: | Electoral district of Cook, Electoral district of Cairns, Electoral district of Barron River, Electoral district of Mulgrave |
| Federal Division: | Division of Kennedy, Division of Leichhardt |
Far North Queensland, or FNQ, is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland. The region, which contains a large section of the Tropical North Queensland area, stretches from the city of Cairns north to the Torres Strait. To the west lies the Gulf Country and North Queensland is the region to the south.
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[edit] Extent
Various Government Departments and agencies have different definitions for the region. The Queensland Government Planning Department's Population Growth - The Far North Queensland Region 2005 document defines the region as an area comprising the Cairns Region, Tablelands Region and two Aboriginal Councils (Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah).[1] The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines the region as containing most of Cape York Peninsula (excluding the south western quarter, half way up the Gulf of Carpentaria coast) and the Torres Strait Islands and extending as far south as Hinchinbrook Island and the town of Cardwell, but excluding the city of Townsville. This larger definition is also used by other State Government agencies[2][3][4][5] and also encompasses the local government areas of Aurukun, Cook, Croydon, Etheridge, and Lockhart River, as well as the Northern Peninsula Area Region and Torres Strait Islands Region. It has a total area of 273147.6 km².[6]
[edit] Settlements
The main population and administrative centre of the region is Cairns. Other key population centres include Cooktown, the Atherton Tableland, Weipa, Innisfail and the Torres Strait Islands. The region also consists of many Aboriginal and farming communities. The Bruce Highway links southern coastal parts of the region with the rest of the state.
[edit] Industry
Significant industries include tourism, cattle grazing, agriculture (sugar cane and tropical fruits) and mining of both sand and bauxite. Over the past few years, Far North Queensland has become increasingly known for its artistic and creative offerings, with experimental and contemporary projects happening through the work of The Upholstery, Merchants of Fine Objects, Cupcake Studio, KickArts, On Edge Festival, New Move Dance Network, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, and Cairns Festival. As the major urban centre in Far North Queensland, Cairns is home to cultural influences from Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands, to inland communities and the Gulf of Carpentaria and South Pacific islands. Active arts organisation include End Credits Film Club, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Civic Theatre, UMI Arts, JUTE Theatre, Centre of Contemporary Arts, Rondo Theatre, Reggaetown, and Cairns Regional Gallery.
[edit] Demographics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the region's population at 275,058 in 2010.[6] The region contains 25.6% of the state's Indigenous population, or 28,909 people, making up 11.8% of the region's population.[7]
[edit] History
The region suffered Queensland's worst maritime disaster at Princess Charlotte Bay. On the 4 March 1899, the entire North Queensland pearling fleet was in the bay where they regularly collected supplies and unloaded shells. Around 100 Aboriginals who were assisting survivors ashore and 307 men from the pearling fleet were drowned.[8]
Far North Queensland is the location of the first amber fossils to be found in Australia. The four million years old fossils were found on a beach in Cape York Peninsula but were probably washed ashore after drifting with the currents for about 200 km.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Population Growth - Far North Queensland Region. Department of Local Government and Planning. 2004. p4.
- ^ Queensland police Far Northern region.
- ^ Department of Education map
- ^ Queensland State Library map
- ^ Queensland Fire and Rescue map.
- ^ a b National Regional Profile: Far North (Statistical Division). Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved on 27 January 2012.
- ^ Office of economic and statistical research
- ^ Shilton, Peter (2005). Natural areas of Queensland. Mount Gravatt, Queensland: Goldpress. pp. 16, 17, 29, 32. ISBN 0-9758275-0-2.
- ^ Anna Salleh (29 November 2006). "Amber fossils a first for Australia". ABC Science Online (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2006/11/29/1796778.htm. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
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