Aboriginal Australia

WEST COAST REGION

In Western Australia Aboriginal people form 17% of the population and in the Kimberlies they represent 36% of the population.

Southwards from the tropical Kimberlies of Australia's north west the west coast is dry. The desert meets the sea for most of the length of this vast coastline. Little rain is generated by the cold waters of the Indian Ocean. Only in the south west corner is rainfall sufficient to make the famous Jarrah forests flourish but the rain rarely penetrates the desert interior.

For further reading on the Kimberley Region:

Coombs, C H., McCann, H.Ross and N.M.Wiliams 1989 Land of Promises, Aborigines and Development in the east Kimberlies, CRES, ANU, and Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.
MacGregor W., 1988, Handbook of Kimberley Languages, PACIFIC LINGUISTICS C(105)
Moyle, A.M. Songs from the Kimberleys (audio tape and companion booklet), AIAIS, Canberra
Shaw, B., 1986, The Life histories of Four Aboriginal Men as told to Bruce Shaw, AIAS, Canberra

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