In the last 100 years, rainfall has changed. Rain increased in North America, South America, northern Europe, and northern and central Asia, but decreased in the Sahel, Mediterranean, southern Africa and parts of Asia. 9.4.5 Dry, variable and evaporated Rainfall is uneven across Australia with very little fresh water available. Australia is the driest inhabited continent (only Antarctica is drier). • The Lake Eyre Basin is the driest region. • North-east Queensland and western Tasmania are the wettest. Water availability depends on climate, rainfall and evaporation. FIGURE6 shows that 75 per cent of Australia’s water comes from surface water and 20 per cent from groundwater.
FIGURE6 Sources of water used in Australia, 2019–20
75% Surface water
14 270 GL Total water sourced
20% Groundwater
4% Desalinated water 1% Inter-region water
9.4.6
Australia’s climate
Weather is the daily changes in the atmosphere, while climate is the average weather over a long time. FIGURE7 shows Australia’s climate pattern. Notice how it changes with latitude and distance from the coast. Rainfall variability means how much rain changes each year. Coastal areas get similar rain every year. Desert areas in central Australia get little rain, but it changes a lot from year to year. See FIGURES4 and 5 to compare rain and variability.
SkillBuilder discussion Concluding and decision-making 1. Look at FIGURE7 .What are the climate zones of Australia? 2. Name the two climate zones that cover most of the country. 3. How do temperate and tropical climate zones differ in location?
262 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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