Western Australia by Jonathan

Western Australia is the Largest state in Australia, and the second largest state in the World, after the Sakha REpublic in Russia. If Western Australia broke away from the Commonwealth of Australia (as some Western Australians think we should), where would Western Australia rank in the world in terms of land area as a Country?

The Swan River Colony was founded on the first of June, 1829, when Charles Fremantle, captain of the HMS Challenger planted the flag on the Beach at Walyalup (the Noongar name for the location today known as Fremantle. Captain Fremantle was not the governor designate. WHo was?

The ENglish were not the first Europeans to explore Western Australia. In 1697, Captain Willem De Vlamingh of the Dutch East India company explored the Area, giving names to various landmarks in the region, including Rottnest Island and the Black Swan River (now called simply The Swan River). Both of these names have to do with certain animals located in these two places. THe Black Swans are obvious, but to what did Rottnest refer?

Western Australia's Economy, which covers about 17.5% of Australia's GDP is largely dependant on MIning. At 900 million Metric Tons, Western Australia is the world's largest producer of this commodity. What is it?

There's Gold in them thar pits. Not to be outdone by the previous commodity, at least not in Dollar Value, Western Australia's Fimiston Gold Mine, at Kalgoorlie, is the World's Fifth largest open cut mine of any description and the second largest gold mine. The Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah is the largest open cut mine in the World. What is mined from Bingham Canyon? Fun Fact: Western Australia produces nearly 7 million Troy ounces of gold per year.

Mining is not the only massive export commodity in Western Australia. Agriculture makes up a large portion of W.A.'s annual export market. From Sheep, Cattle to Root vegetables, the list goes on. There is a region of Western Australia covering an area of nearly 155,000 square kilometres, which annually produces more than 20 million metric tonnes of what?

Another product for which Western Australia is famous comes from the Sea. It is mostly exported to China, with an annual income to the state of more than three hundred million dollars. What is this shell fish, which is endemic to the coastline of Western Australia.

People often balk at coming to Australia due to the possibility of dying here,(snake bites, crocodiles, shark attacks, etc) but the last snake bite death in Western Australia was in 2018. Even though Australia by toxicity has nine of the top ten most venomous snakes in the world, what reptile is thought to be responsible annually for more than 30,000 deaths, more than all other snakes combined?

Perth is the capitol city of Western Australia. However established two years previously, this town in Western Australia's Great Southern might have been the capitol. It has a better harbour, and sits directly on the seacoast, as opposed to Perth, which sits quite a ways inland and has no sea port per se. (Fremantle and Kwinana are the two major ports serving Perth) THe deciding factor was a reliable source of fresh water. What is the name of this town, which has namesakes in Oregon and Georgia as well as sharing its name with a State Capitol in a different US State?

Western Australia has produced many word wide pop culture stars, including Heath Ledger and Hugh Jackman ( a Sydney Boy but educated at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts). By far the most notorious Western Australian product might be this band, whose founding lead singer is buried in Fremantle Cemetary, and has his own designated gate for "pilgrims" to visit his grave.

Perth is called the World's sunniest Capitol City, Experiencing 138 clear days in a year and probably another 138 partly cloudy days. However we do receive around 700 mm (28inches) of rain per annum, which is actually more than London, and only 10 inches less than what reputedly constantly raining city? (Which also happens to be my birth town).

In order not to be left out completely I've included a sports question. Perth has teams in several national sports leagues, including two Australian Rules (AFL) sides, a National Basketball League team, the Wildcats, an Australian Baseball League team, The Heat, and teams in both Major rugby codes (Union and League). Perhaps Perth's most famous sportsperson is a women's tennis star who still holds the all time record for wins in Grand slam events (24 singles, 19 doubles and 21 mixed doubles) as well as 192 Career Singles titles. Today she is a pastor of a Christian Church in Perth. Who is she?