Regions of Queensland

Due to its large size and decentralised population, the state is often divided into regions for statistical and administrative purposes.

Each region varies somewhat in terms of its economy, population, climate, geography, flora and fauna.

Cultural and official perceptions and definitions of the various regions differ somewhat depending on the government agency or popular group by which they are being applied.

Various Queensland state government departments adopt different definitions of regions for administrative purposes.

The Gold and Sunshine Coasts, located south and north of Brisbane respectively, are two of the Queensland's most popular tourist regions, containing many hotels and resorts.

The remaining parts of the region are located inland, west of Brisbane, and are primarily rural.

Other key population centres include Cooktown, the Atherton Tableland, Weipa, Normanton, and Thursday Island.

[4] Significant industries include tourism, cattle grazing, agriculture (sugar cane and tropical fruits) and mining of both sand and bauxite.

The state also contains smaller regions within those discussed above which are not necessarily used for statistical purposes, but which are distinct in terms of their geography, economy or demographic characteristics.