Tasmanian Wilderness, Australia

Abstract

These scenic parks and reserves are mixed cultural and natural World Heritage site. It comprises a contiguous network of reserve lands extending over much of west-central and southwest Tasmania. The site is geologically and geomorphologically complex, representing the product of at least three major glaciations, and covers an area of more than 1 million hectares. It constitutes one of the last expanses of temperate rainforest in the world. The altitude goes from sea level to 1617 m, and the area is characterized by the presence of steep gorges. Remains found in caves attest to human occupation of the area for more than 35,000 years. The Aborigines who lived there represent the longest isolated human group in world history, surviving hundreds of generations without outside influence.