| Pilbara Region Of Western Australia |
Website Links For Pilbara |
Information AboutPilbara Region Of Western Australia |
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The Pilbara region covers an area of 507,896 km2 (including offshore islands). It has a population of just under 40,000 people, most of whom live in the western third of the region. Most Pilbara residents live in the region's towns, which include Port Hedland , Karratha , Newman and Marble Bar . A substantial number of people also work in the region on a fly-in/fly-out basis. The Pilbara consists of three distinct geographic areas. The western third is coastal sandplain, and supports most of the region's population and much of its industry and commerce. The eastern third is almost entirely desert, and is sparsely populated by a small number of Aboriginal peoples. In between is a vast area of inland ranges, which contain a number of mining towns, and natural attractions in the form of Gorges . The region contains some of the world's oldest surface rocks, including the ancient fossilized remains known as Stromatolites and Granite s that are more than three billion years old. Climate The climate of the Pilbara is semi-arid, with high temperatures and low rainfall. During the summer months, maximum temperatures exceed 32°C (90°F) almost every day, and temperatures in excess of 45°C (113°F) are not uncommon. The Pilbara town of Marble Bar is claimed by some to be the world's hottest place, having once recorded 161 consecutive days in which the maximum temperature reached or exceeded 100°F (37.8°C). Marble Bar Historical Temperatures, bom.gov.au Economy The Pilbara's economy is dominated by Mining and Petroleum industries. Most of Australia 's Iron Ore is mined in the Pilbara, with mines mostly centred around Tom Price and Newman . The first reserves were first discovered by Lang Hancock , later to become one of Australia's richest men. The region also has a substantial tourist sector, with popular natural attractions including the Karijini and Millstream-Chichester national parks, the Dampier Archipelago and the Ningaloo Reef . The WA Gas Industry {Link without Title} claims that the region takes its name from ''pilbarra'', an Aboriginal word for the Mullet and that the name was derived from the Pilbara Goldfield, discovered in 1885 , which was itself named after Pilbara Creek (originally spelt "Pilbarra") a tributary of the Yule River . Alternatively, Wangka Maya ( Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre ) says in its publication ''Bilybara'' (p. ii) that it derives from the name for the Pilbara region in Nyamal and Banyjima , ''bilybara'' meaning 'dry'. |
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