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Dampier
Western Australia
Burrupmap.png
Map of Dampier, Western Australia and surrounding area.
Population: 1,371 (2006)
Established: 1965
Postcode: 6713
Elevation: 48 m (157 ft)
Location:
LGA: Shire of Roebourne
State District: North West
Federal Division: Kalgoorlie
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall
30.6 °C
87 °F		 22.7 °C
73 °F		 310.3 mm
12.2 in

Coordinates: 20°39′47″S 116°42′29″E / 20.663°S 116.708°E / -20.663; 116.708

Dampier is a major industrial port in the north-west of Western Australia. The Dampier Port is part of the Dampier Archipelago. The port services petrochemical, salt, iron ore and natural gas export industries.

Contents

History

William Dampier
(1651–1715)

Aboriginal people, including the Yaburara and Ngarluma tribes, have lived in the area for many thousands of years. The town derives its name from the nearby Dampier Archipelago, named after the English buccaneer William Dampier, who visited the area in 1699.[1]

The town was built from 1965 onwards, to serve the railway transporting iron ore from Tom Price and Paraburdoo. By 1968, the further expansion of Dampier had been constrained by geographical factors and the new town of Karratha was established as a result.[2]

Environment

The nearby Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula) which means "Hip Bone Sticking Out" in the Ngarluma/Yaburara language, is home to what is believed to be the largest collection of petroglyphs (ancient rock art) in the world.[3]

There are 42 islands within the Dampier Archipelago.[4] There is a hugely diverse marine ecosystem around these islands where the fauna includes whales, dugongs, turtles, coral and sponges.[4] Green turtles, (Chelonia mydas) are also known to nest in the Dampier Archipelago.[5]

Attractions

At the entrance to the town is a statue of "Red Dog", a red kelpie/cattledog well known for roaming the area in the 1970s and hitching rides to nearby towns. The statue reads "Erected by the many friends made during his travels".[6] Other attractions include the fishing not far off the coast, the most commonly targeted species being barramundi (Lates calcarifer).

Photos

Salt Field

Iron Ore

"Red Dog" statue

Panoramas

Dampier panorama, November 2006
Dampier Port panorama, November 2006

References

  1. ^ "Dampier." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 3 December 2006 http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9028661
  2. ^ Dampier The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 3 December 2006.
  3. ^ Save Dampier rock art Retrieved 3 December 2006.
  4. ^ a b D-day for Dampier 19 December 2005. The Wilderness Society. Retrieved 3 December 2006.
  5. ^ Marine turtles in Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  6. ^ Dog deserves a pat The West Australian. 12 October 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2006.

External links

See also








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