Have you ever heard of such a stunning place like the Botanical Gulf? Honestly, despite all the uniqueness and uniqueness of this corner of the planet, it is difficult to call it a favorite and popular place for Russians to relax. Why so? Most likely, due to its some distance from famous tourist destinations. In fact, getting here is not very easy. Although there are positive aspects to this. Arriving on the coast, you can enjoy the peace and quiet.
This article will not only talk about where the Botanical Gulf itself is located, but will also introduce readers to the characteristic features of this place, its history, climate.
General description of the object
First of all, it should be noted that you will not be able to find the Botanical Gulf on the map of Eurasia. It is located 8 km south of the center of Sydney, on the eastern coast of Australia, and belongs to the
Tasman Sea. The bay is modest in size.
As you know, the Botanical Gulf was opened in 1770 by the famous sea explorer James Cook. This place got its name due to the many plants unknown to Europeans growing off its coast.
It was in Botany in 1787 that the first settlement of immigrants from Europe in Australia was formed. However, the following year it was moved to Port Jackson Bay, where Sydney's center is currently located.
The depth of the Botanical Gulf is 18-31 m, and the width is 2.2 km. The Georges and Cook rivers flow into it. Also on the territory of the bay is the port of Botany, and about 35 thousand people inhabit it.
Discovery story
So, we figured out where the Botanical Gulf is, but I would like to know more about the nuances of its past.
On April 29, 1770, a ship called Endeavor dropped anchor in the waters of Botany Bay. It was here that the British first descended to the shore of an uncharted continent, and in the same period of time the bay was called Botanical.
Captain James Cook's team, which set off in search of a previously unknown southern mainland, consisted of a botanist named Joseph Banks. The picture of dozens of plants that had not been known to science of the time, which had struck him, struck him that he had persuaded Cook to give this beautiful place such a name without much effort. And since then, the bay has been called Botanical, which in the English version sounds like Botany Bay.
Eighteen years later, ships of the first English fleet under the command of Arthur Philip anchored at this place. It was here that the first batch of convicts was delivered, and a few days later the marquis de Laperouz, then famous, appeared here. But since he sailed from these places, no one has ever seen him alive.
Gulf of Botany: tragic events
In 1788, the first so-called British settlements appeared in New South Wales on the territory of the future Sydney. The colony was mostly inhabited by soldiers and convicts.
One day, one of the convicts went in search of herbs and moved far enough away from the brick stoves located in Rose Hill. It later turned out that he was killed by Australian Aborigines. Sixteen members of the gang to which the murdered belonged armed with sticks and went to Botany Bay to take revenge.
Upon arriving at the bay, they stumbled upon a multitude of gamaraigal aborigines who attacked them with spears. As a result, one person was killed and six or seven were injured. A day later, the governor of the colony, known as Captain Arthur Philip, sent marines there to restore order. At the battlefield, the infantrymen discovered the body of one killed exile and one wounded. All the exiles were punished for not following Philip’s order to treat local Aborigines well. They received 150 lashes immediately after recovery.
The climate of the area
The climate in this corner of the globe is warm, reminiscent of the Mediterranean.
The Botanical Bay, the map shows this is the best possible way, famous for its characteristic warm summers and mild winters. The number of sunny days per year is more than 340.
Throughout the year, a uniform amount of rainfall occurs. The average summer temperature is approximately 26 ° C. High humidity is also possible at this time of the year - an average of 65%.
In winter, the average temperature is approximately 16 ° C. The rainiest period in the bay occurs between March and June.
What does the Botanical Gulf live today?
Today, the Sydney Airport is located on the northern shore of this place, with the airport runway facing the bay. Also here is the port of the same name.
The tides here are semidiurnal and amount to about 2.3 m.
The population is only 35,000 people, most of whom earn their living either in fisheries or in tourism. There are enough people wishing to visit this place. As a rule, they are attracted to the Gulf of Botany by an amazing flora and fauna.