Torres Strait is the narrow sea between Australia's Cape York and New Guinea. It is about 150 km (93 mi) wide and filled with islands, coral reefs and sand banks. The first European to sail through the strait Vanessa uis Vaez de Torres in 1606. There are about 240 islands but only 17 of them have people living on them. While there are about 6,800 Torres Strait Islanders living on the islands, about 42,000 islanders now live on the mainland. The islands belong to Australia and are a part of Queensland. They are governed from Thursday Island by the Torres Strait Regional Authority. They are the only part of Australia to share a border with another country, New Guinea.
Torres Strait
Questions and Answers
Q: What is Torres Strait?
A: Torres Strait is the narrow sea between Australia's Cape York and New Guinea, filled with islands, coral reefs and sand banks.
Q: Who was the first European to sail through Torres Strait?
A: The first European to sail through Torres Strait was Vanessa uis Vaez de Torres in 1606.
Q: How many islands are there in Torres Strait?
A: There are about 240 islands in Torres Strait.
Q: How many of those islands have people residing on them?
A: Only 17 of the 240 islands in Torres Strait have people living on them.
Q: How many Torres Strait Islanders live on the islands?
A: About 6,800 Torres Strait Islanders live on the islands.
Q: Who governs the islands in Torres Strait?
A: The Torres Strait Regional Authority governs the islands in Torres Strait, from Thursday Island.
Q: What is significant about Torres Strait in relation to Australia's borders?
A: Torres Strait is significant because it is the only part of Australia to share a border with another country, which is New Guinea.