Tasmania, Australia's largest island, has an area of 68.5 thousand km2, including a thousand adjacent islands. It is the only Australian state not located on the Australian mainland. Its population is 530,000. The capital and largest city is Hobart. Tasmania is located 240 kilometers south of the Australian mainland, from which it is separated by the Bass Strait. About 2,500 kilometers south of the island of Tasmania is the coast of Antarctica. The most mountainous region is the Central Highlands. Thanks to its geographical diversity, Tasmania has a large number of rivers and waterfalls. It is known for its unique endemic flora and fauna. It is home to some of the last remaining temperate rainforests in the southern hemisphere. About 42 % of the country's area is protected by some form of reservation. The island is an important destination for ecotourism.