Gove Peninsula
| Gove Peninsula | ||
 Coastal landscape of the Gove Peninsula |
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| Geographical location | ||
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| Coordinates | 12 ° 16 '48 " S , 136 ° 48' 58" E | |
| Waters 1 | Gulf of Carpentaria | |
| Waters 2 | Arafura lake | |
 Aluminum refinery on the Gove Peninsula |
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The Gove Peninsula (ger .: Gove Peninsula ) is located in the far northeast in Arnhem Land . It is located on the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria , about 600 kilometers east of Darwin , in the Northern Territory in Australia . The economic center of the peninsula is the place Nhulunbuy , which was founded because of the exploitation of one of the largest bauxite deposits in the world. Today's Gove Airport on the Gove Peninsula was an important location for the RAAF during World War II , as a Japanese invasion was feared. The name of the peninsula goes back to Air Force Officer Pilot Officer William Gove , who died in a plane crash on Milingimbi Island during World War II .
history
The Aboriginal clans of the Gumatj, Rirratjingu, Djapu, Madarrpa and Dhalwanguder of the Yolngu Aboriginal tribe have lived in the area of the Gove Peninsula for thousands of years .
The first European to come to the sea area of the Gove Peninsula in 1623 was the Dutch Willem van Colster . In 1803 Matthew Flinders came there on his circumnavigation of Australia and gave a detailed account of the peninsula in his notes.
Northwest of the Gove Peninsula, Macassars and then the Japanese fished for Trepang , the latter also catching pearls. In 1907 foreigners were banned from fishing in the local waters.
In the early 19th century, the Yolngu came into contact with European prospectors and ranchers on the peninsula . In the course of European colonization, there were conflicts with the Aborigines. In 1931 a reserve of 96,000 km in size was proclaimed in Arnhem Land, the Arnhem Land-Aboriginal Reserve . Today, Aboriginal Land Trusts hold approximately 100,000 km² as Aboriginal freehold land . In 1935 the Methodists established their first Aboriginal mission station at Yirrkala .
In the 1950s, resource exploration began in the eastern Northern Territory and the large bauxite deposit on the Gove Peninsula was discovered. The bauxite deposit extends over an area of 65 km² and contains approximately 250 million tons. When the liberal-conservative government of Robert Menzies allowed bauxite mining on the peninsula in 1963 , the Yolngu resisted mining on their land and submitted the Yolngu Bark petition in the Australian Parliament, which was unsuccessful but of great importance for the uptake of human rights indigenous population had in Australia's constitution . In addition, it is considered a historical document of this democracy and the starting point for the Aboriginal land rights movement . This petition was signed by 13 leading representatives of the Yolngu Aboriginal clan . Mining began in 1973 by the Nabalco company and has been operated by Rio Tinto Alcan Gove since 2007 . In order to operate the bauxite mining, the place Nhulunbuy was built with a port facility, an aluminum refinery for the production of aluminum oxide and a plant for power generation. The Gove bauxite mine began operations in July 1972 and today has an annual capacity of 8.5 million tons of ore.
Culture
The traditional owners of the land look back on a rich cultural history and traditions. They have strong spiritual ties to their country. The culture and lifestyle of the Yolngu, which is documented on their bark painting, were also influenced by the seafaring Macassars . For example, the Yolngu were familiar with iron axes before the arrival of the Europeans.
There are two arts centers on the Gove Peninsula: Nambara Arts and Crafts at Nhulunbuy and Buku Larrngay Mulka in Yirrkala .
The Garma Festival has been held on Gulkula near Nhulunbuy for years and is attended by around 2000 people. The festival features performances of dance, song, music and art.
The musical culture in Arnhem Land, especially that on the Gove Peninsula, is strongly influenced by the didgeridoo , with the Yolngu in particular producing important artists who play and build this instrument. The musical performances of the band Yothu Yindi from Yirrkala are well known.
landscape
There are extensive dune fields on the coastline . Rocky headlands are widespread and granite is partially exposed, some rocks off the coast are overgrown and mangroves spread out in inlets. Inland there are lateritic plateaus and some outcrops of granite. The vegetation ranges from sparse grass cover that covers dunes to relatively large open forests of eucalyptus on sandy plains and plateaus. There are also small monsoon forests behind the coastal dunes.
The beaches, bays and islands are characterized by white sands. The beaches that are visited by those seeking relaxation are mainly Nanydjaka ( Cape Arnhem ), Lurrupukurru (Oyster Beach), Rangura (Caves Beach), Baringura (Little Bondi), Ngumuy (Turtle Beach), Garanhan (Macassan Beach) and Daliwuy ( Daliwoi Bay).
Flora and fauna
Barrier reef turtles , hawksbill turtles , olive ridged turtles and, above all, green turtles lay their eggs on the beaches and offshore islands . The islands are an important breeding ground for sea birds, especially the rose tern . In addition to other animals that are protected in the Northern Territory, there are 18 endangered species in the peninsula, including three plants, 14 vertebrates and one butterfly.
climate
The climate on the peninsula is subtropical, hot and humid. It is characterized by two seasons, the dry season from April to November and the rainy season from December to March. The monsoons blow dry, often strong southeast winds in winter and rain-bringing northwest winds in summer over the peninsula. Most of the precipitation falls during the rainy season, which lasts two to three months. There are also cyclones on a regular basis .
reachability
The peninsula can be reached on the 682 kilometers long Central Arnhem Road , which branches off 52 kilometers south of Katherine . The first 30 kilometers of the road are paved, then the road can only be driven on with all-wheel drive vehicles. Sufficient fuel must be taken with you to cover the route, as there is no petrol station on the route. A permit is required to enter, as the land of the Yolngu clans is being crossed. The peninsula can also be reached by boat. Most travelers, however, come to Gove Airport by Qantas and Airnorth planes from Cairns and Darwin.
Individual evidence
- ↑ awm.gov.au : Roll of Honor - William Julius Henderson Gove , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ a b ealta.org ( Memento of the original from June 27, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. : History of Gove and East Arnhem Land , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ foundingdocs.gov.au : Documenting a Democray. Yirrkala bark petitions 1963 , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ aboriginalart.com ( Memento of the original from March 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. : Aboriginal Art & Culture Center in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ yyf.com.au ( Memento of the original from April 9, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. : Location Gulkula: the festival site , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ govefestival.org.au ( Memento of the original from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. : Gove Peninsula Festival 2012 , accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ North-east Arnhem Land Didgeridoos ( Memento of the original from August 14, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ a b nretas.nt.gov.au ( Memento of the original from March 25, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 638 kB): Gove Peninsula and north-east Arnhem coast , in English, accessed on February 21, 2013
- ↑ ealta.org : East Arnhem Land Beaches , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
- ↑ totaltravel.com.au ( Memento of the original from June 3, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. : Australia Total Travel Guide - Accommodation, Tours, Flights & Maps , in English, accessed February 20, 2013
