Australian Territories

[paulhopps22]

Can anyone tell me ( and my 10 year old who has homework on this !! ) WHY are the borders of Australias Territories , straight lines??? Thanks guys! I know SOMEONE will know the answer

[paulz]

Try searching in Jeeves, it seems generally that the state lines went along the lines of longitude, though with some errors. It looks like they were drawn up in the UK and perhaps that could explain it?

[paulz]

Sorry Jeeves site is http://www.ask.co.uk/ there's one link to an Official Australian Gov't site, who you can e-mail, so for the definative answer [if you've got time] e-mail them. Or try Google

[Gef]

Probably because there were no cities etc. to get in the way. You will find something similar for some of the scarcely populated states in the USA.

[Cetti]

It's such a vast country I shouldn't think there would be enough space to put in all the curvy bits and pieces, so probably paulz is right with the lines of Longditude.

I have found a very large site that may help in your quest - I do hope so.

http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/dimensions/ce
ntre.htm

[Janetex]

Australia has only two territories, the border of the capital territory has no straight lines, the borders of the other are three straight lines and one not. Get your kid to look at a map, give relevant facts in his homework and tell the teacher to smarten up.

[Janetex]

Darn it, I'm sure I'm wrong there. I think that Australia has other territories such as PNG, pitcairn, christmas & other islands and another in the antarctic. However, I'd be surprised if the borders of any of these is straight.

[Janetex]

Paul, it is difficult to be sure what info you want, but I can assure you that the majority of the borders of Australian States and Territories are not straight lines. Here is a good website for you - www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/dimensions/borders.htm