South Australia: an overview
South Australia (SA) is the driest and most urbanised state in Australia, containing many semi-desert areas. The majority of the population resides in
Adelaide, with 80% of all people living in this city. The population of South Australia is approximately 1.5 million people. In the south, the climate is temperate and fairly mild. In the north however, summers can get extremely hot, and therefore towns like
Coober Pedy are underground to avoid the unbearable heat.
South Australia enjoys a reputation as the major wine and food state of Australia, with 13 wine regions and the largest ratio of cafes and restaurants to residents than any other state in Australia. The main wine regions are near Adelaide, and include the Barossa Valley, Clare, Coonawarra and McLaren.
Tourist attractions include bushwalking in the Flinders Ranges and the Adelaide Hills. Whale watching is popular at the Head of Bight along the Great Australian Bight. Kangaroo Island is also very popular, attracting approximately 150,000 tourists every year, although it only has a population of 4500 people. There are also national parks and world heritage listed areas to discover.
Agricultural regions in South Australia include Fleurieu, Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas. These places are beach towns and have great places to surf, relax and unwind. The Murray River is a necessary water supply for 90% of the population of South Australia. Running through the Australian Alps and joining the sea at Lake Alexandrina in a web that is 650 kilometres in length, it is piped to a number of towns, to make up for the lack of water in the state.
After Adelaide, Mount Gambier is the second most populated city in South Australia, with approximately 30,000 people. It is located on the slopes of the maar volcano, which contains many craters. Murray Bridge, with about 20,000 people, is a major farming area, especially for dairy, pigs, chickens, cereal crops and vegetables. The two natural harbours of Port Augusta and Port Lincoln both have populations of about 15,000 people. Port Pirie has a slightly larger population of about 18,000 people and contains the world's largest lead smelter. Whyalla is a city and seaport which is on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Victor Harbor, located on the coast with approximately 13,000 people has an economy based on agriculture and fisheries.
Running a business in South Australia?
Own a business in SA? Be sure to add a
business directory listing and get extra coverage for your business in the South Australia Business Directory listings on Local Business Guide.
>Close the South Australia infobox
