People
The Northern Territory has the sparsest population of any state or territory in Australia, with approximately 211,000 people and two percent density. The region has a youthful and multicultural population, of which 30 percent are Aboriginal people and 15 percent were born overseas.
Darwin alone is home to people from more than 60 different nationalities and more than 70 different ethnic backgrounds. A large proportion of the Aboriginal population lives in remote communities throughout the NT, from the Red Centre, through to Arnhem Land and across to the Tiwi Islands. Many of these communities boast thriving art centres, where you can visit to purchase works and meet the artists. Hundreds of different Aboriginal languages are spoken by the indigenous people in the, including Yolgnu Matha in Arnhem Land, which is the second most spoken language in the NT after English.
Permits are required to visit many of these communities. The largest Aboriginal groups are the Pitjantjatjara, Arrernte, Luritja and Warlpiri in the Red Centre, and Yolngu in east Arnhem Land.
The average age of Northern Territory residents is 32 years, compared with the national average of 37 years.
The Northern Territory is close to Asia and has a large Asian culture including language and food that is mostly seen in Darwin.
Climate
The Northern Territory is so large it covers two very distinct climate zones: The Red Centre and the Tropical North.
The Top End, which includes Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, has a tropical climate. Darwin has an average temperature of 32°C all year, with varying humidity. The tropical summer, from December to March, is considered by many to be the region's most beautiful time of year.
The summer rains bring the natural landscape to life and deliver the picturesque storms and sunsets the Northern Territory is renowned for. The dry season, from May to October, has warm, sunny days and cool nights. At the end of the year, the build up, or pre-monsoon season, begins and humidity levels start their rise.
The following chart outlines Darwin's monthly climate averages as an indicator for the whole northern region.
Jan - Feb Min average temperature - 24C 75F Max average temperature - 31C 88F
Mar - Apr Min average temperature - 24C 75F Max average temperature - 32C 90F
May - Sept Min average temperature - 21C 69F Max average temperature - 31C 88F
Oct - Dec Min average temperature - 25C 77F Max average temperature - 32C 91F
Central Australia
Central Australia, which includes Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, the Barkly Tablelands and Uluru/Kata-Tjuta regions, has a semi-arid climate. It experiences Australia's four typical seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. The Red Centre has hot summer days from December to February and surprisingly cold nights from June to August. Spring and autumn are warm throughout the day and cool at night.
The following chart outlines Alice Springs' monthly climate averages as an indicator for the Red Centre.
Mar - May Min average temperature - 12C 55F Max average temperature - 27C 82F
Jun - Aug Min average temperature - 3C 37F Max average temperature - 20C 68F
Sept - Nov Min average temperature - 14C 57F Max average temperature - 30C 86F
Dec - Feb Min average temperature - 20C 69F Max average temperature - 35C 95F