[1] The Shire of Carpentaria covers an area of 64,121 square kilometres (24,757.3 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1883.

[3] However, the divisional board appeared to be completely inactive, perhaps because the division was so large (being the area surrounding the southern part of the Gulf of Carpentaria) and was very sparsely settled.

[8][16] Prior to 2005, two Aboriginal communities (Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw) administered under Deed of Grant in Trust by community councils since the mid-1980s, were part of the Shire's area, but they were formally excised and given a new status as Aboriginal Shires.

The Shire of Carpentaria includes the following settlements: Prior to 1971, Aboriginal people who form a majority of the population were not counted in census statistics.

Information for the reduced Shire back to 1996 has been provided on the ABS website through the Time Series Profile.