1362.7 - Regional Statistics, Northern Territory, 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/10/2007   
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Environment


ENVIRONMENT

The Northern Territory has an area of 1 346 200 square kilometres, comprising approximately 17% of Australia's land mass. The NT sits within two main climatic zones: monsoon-tropical in the north; and semi-arid to arid desert moving south towards the centre of Australia.


The tropical northern region of the NT has a distinctive wet and dry season. The 'wet season' which officially runs from 1 October to 30 April, and the 'dry season' which runs from 1 May to 30 September. Relative humidity is highest in the wet season (averaging between 61% to 87% at 9.00am during the wet season in Darwin in 2006). During the dry season a much lower monthly average of 50% was observed in Darwin for June 2006. Humidity levels drop as the location moves further from the coast.

Mean Relative Humidity at 9 am, Selected regions: 2006
Graph: Mean Relative Humidity at 9 am, Selected regions: 2006

In 2006 all recorded locations in the Northern Territory, except for Alice Springs, received lower than average rainfall.

Annual Rainfall, Northern Territory: 2006
Graph: Annual Rainfall, Northern Territory: 2006

Further information on the Northern Territory's environment is available through the following sources:


Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts


Bureau of Meteorology