Location : Mid North Mainland Australia.

Capital City : Darwin.

Size : 1,346,000 Square Kilometres (519,691 Square Miles).

Length Of Coastline : 6,200 Kilometres (3,853 Miles)

Highest Point : Mount Zeil (1,510 Metres or  4,954 Feet)

Average Annual Temperatures - Darwin :

January:- Maximum - 31.8 Degrees Celsius or  89.3 Degrees Fahrenheit.
July:- Maximum - 30.4 Degrees Celsius or 86.7 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Average Annual Rainfall - Darwin : 1,651 Millimetres or 66.0 Inches.

I suppose the first question that must be asked is why the Northern Territory was proclaimed a Territory upon Federation in 1901, and not simply declared another State that made up the Commonwealth of Australia.  I simply do not know the answer to that and at the best could only speculate.  In fact, after Federation, what is now the Northern Territory was actually split into two, with the Southern half being called "Central Australia" with its capital city as Alice Springs, and the Northern half being called "North Australia" with its capital city as Darwin.  That lasted for five years. Before this period, the area was actually under the administration of the South Australian State government, (until 1922) but in the late 1920's, the two (North and Central Australia) were again merged into one and called the "Northern Territory".  Administration of the Northern Territory was the responsibility of the Commonwealth government.

Since that time, (I believe it was in the 1970's) the Northern Territory has been granted self government, and has elections for its parliamentarians in the same manner as all the other States.  The only difference is that the Leader is known as the Chief Minister instead of the Premier.  The Northern Territory also has its own legal system and Police Force, and is slowly moving towards total independent Statehood in its own right.

Apart from the major towns of Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine, the Northern Territory is very sparsely populated, and much of it is actually desert or basically useless dry land.  In the Northern parts large cattle stations (ranches) exist, as these areas are more fertile, and have much more natural feed, due to the heavier rainfall.

There was some gold mining at a town called Tennant Creek, but I am unsure as to the current status of those mines nor if they are still operating.  I do know that during the 1980's, when there was a world wide increase in the price of gold, there was an attempt to re-establish gold mining in that area.

Apart from cattle, there have been attempts to grow crops in the North Western areas, but in a similar fashion to what occurred in Western Australia, the natural wildlife has proved far too large an obstacle to overcome and cultivation has basically been abandoned.

Within the Northern Territory, (and Queensland and Western Australia)   you will find some of Australia's largest road transport vehicles.  In America they are called eighteen wheelers.  If you can imagine an eighteen wheeler, with an extra four wheels on the rear of the first trailer, then another two trailers behind that, each with twenty wheels, making a total of sixty two wheels.  These are called "Road Trains" and are a fairly common sight.  They are an incredible length and to pass one in either direction really tests your driving skills as the rear trailers sway from side to side.  These are used to move hundreds of head of cattle from the stations (ranches) to the markets.

Also located in the Northern Territory, is another top secret United States of America/Australia joint facility known as Pine Gap, but the details are not known to the public.  There are of course those who oppose its existence, but generally nothing much is ever said about it.

The other large industry for the Northern Territory is tourism.  Depending on where you go, you will find things that you will see no where else in the world.

Up until 2003, the railway line ran only from Adelaide (South Australia) as far as Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.   Since then a railway line has been completed and Adelaide is now joined to Darwin by rail, on what is hoped to become another of the great train trips of the world.  The train that runs North/South is known as "The Ghan".   Initial responses seem to indicate that this venture will be a success.

Kakadu National Park  (in the North East area) is world famous for its wildlife and scenery, and a trip through that park should be high on the agenda for any visitor.  However it may be prudent to warn potential visitors that the rivers are full of Salt Water Crocodiles, and one should never attempt swimming in any river.  One of the world's best fresh water fish (Barramundi) are caught in these waters, (and also in North Queensland rivers), and should you ever get the opportunity to taste one, then I suggest you do so.  Katherine Gorge, is as unique as it is beautiful, so once again, it is well worthy of taking the time to visit.

Probably the best known tourist destination within the Northern Territory is Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock), a huge single stone that rises out of the middle of the desert to the West of Alice Springs.  Uluru is the world's largest monolith (single rock), and is very sacred to the original inhabitants.  Along with Uluru, there are also other large rock formations known as "The Devil's Marbles" and once again, they are certainly worth the time it takes to visit.

Uluru is very unique as it seems to change colour throughout the day, depending on the position of the sun.  Although it is surrounded by desert, when the rains do fall, the rock is surrounded by the most beautiful wildflowers.

Like the rest of Northern mainland Australia, the Northern Territory is home to a large proportion of Australia's original inhabitants.  In fact most of them live in either North Queensland, Northern Territory or Northern Western Australia.   (There are exceptions, with some communities elsewhere but they are few)

The Northern Territory is unique, it is large and open and you can travel for hours without seeing another human being.   One final comment, those who come from the Northern Territory, consider themselves to be amongst the highest beer drinkers in the world.  They even produce what is called a "Darwin Stubbie".   A normal "Stubbie" of beer holds 375 cc or 13 Ounces of beer.  A "Darwin Stubbie" holds 2000 cc or 68 Ounces of beer.  I would advise that you never accept the challenge to drink a "Darwin Stubbie"  alone, it might be the last drink you have that night.

The Northern Territory is usually called "The Top End".