Northern Territory

Territory of north-central Australia, bounded on the north by the Timor and Arafura seas, on the east by Queensland, on the south by South Australia, and on the west by Western Australia; area 1,346,200 sq km/519,770 sq mi; population (2001 est) 200,000. The capital is Darwin. The main products are beef, bauxite, gold, copper, uranium, manganese, tropical fruits, and fish. Tourism is important.

History
The area was part of New South Wales from 1827, it was annexed to South Australia in 1863, and was under the control of the Commonwealth of Australia government 1911–78. Self-government was introduced in 1978. Mineral discoveries on land occupied by Aborigines led to a royalty agreement in 1979.