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The Pilbara is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples, its ancient landscapes, the red earth, its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore and as a global biodiversity hotspot for subterranean fauna. It is one of nine regions of the ''Regional Development Commissions Act 1993'', and is also a bioregion under the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA).〔(IBRA Version 6.1 ) data〕 The region has an estimated population of 48,610 . The Pilbara covers an area of 502,000 km2,〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Regional Development Australia Pilbara )〕 which includes some of Earth's oldest rock formations. It includes landscapes of coastal plains and mountain ranges with cliffs and gorges. The major settlements of the region are Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman. The area is known for its petroleum, natural gas and iron ore deposits, which contribute significantly to Western Australia's economy. Other than mining, pastoral activities as well as fishing and tourism are the main industries. ==Etymology== The Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre Wangka Maya says that the name for the Pilbara region derives from the Aboriginal word ''bilybara'', meaning 'dry' in the Nyamal and Banyjima languages.〔() Book ''Bilybara'' (p. ii)〕 Alternatively, The Western Australia Gas Industry claims that the region takes its name from ''pilbarra'', an Aboriginal word for the mullet (fish). The Pilbara Creek (originally spelt "Pilbarra") is a tributary of the Yule River, a significant river in the region. ''Pilbarra'' (Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus)) and ''barramundi'' (Lates calcarifer) can still be caught in the Yule River today.〔() fishes in groundwater dependant pools of the Fortescue andYule Rivers, Pilbara, Western Australia〕 This Pilbara Creek lent its name to the Pilbara Goldfield, discovered in 1885, after which time the name was used to refer to the region.〔(WA Gas Industry: Interesting Facts )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pilbara」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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