Question

Which geographic feature prevents many Australians from living too far inland

Answer 1

The outback, with its harsh desert and semi-arid climates, prevents many Australians from living too far inland. The Great Dividing Range also impacts the distribution of precipitation, influencing where people can live. Despite the arid conditions, underground water resources like the Great Artesian Basin support some inland farming.

Step-by-step explanation:

The geographic feature that prevents many Australians from living too far inland is the extensive dry interior known as the outback. Characterized by vast deserts and semi-arid plateaus, the outback forms a large part of central and western Australia. With a climate classified as Type B, these regions experience high temperatures, low annual rainfall, and significant diurnal temperature variation. Most Australians reside along the coast in areas with a moderate Type C climate, leading to a distinctive core-periphery spatial pattern where coastal regions are densely populated and the inland outback remains sparsely inhabited.

The Great Dividing Range and the lack of precipitation it causes within the interior further hinder settlement in the region. This low-lying range of highlands influences Australia's climate and the distribution of its rivers, including the Darling-Murray River system, which is the country's largest. However, thanks to the Great Artesian Basin and its underground water resources, extensive farming operations are possible, even with the limited rainfall.

Answer 2

Cold ocean currents off the west coast means there is little evaporation to form rain clouds, while the Great Dividing Range that runs down Australia's east coast prevents rain from penetrating far inland.

Credits - National Geographic