The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia. The capital city is Darwin; the other two sizable settlements are Alice Springs (in the desert interior, 1500km to the south) and Katherine (near the base of the Top End). Residents of the Northern Territory are often known simply as 'Territorians'.

The Northern Territory contains 95 separate Protected Areas with a total area of 53,505 km² (land area: 51,269 km² – 3.81% of the territory’s area). Ten of these are National parks, totalling 19,622 km² (1.46% of the territory’s area). Four are Aboriginal National Parks, totalling 5,315 km² (0.39% of the territory’s area). Another four are Commonwealth National Parks (managed by the Australian National Parks & Wildlife Service – Commonwealth Government), totalling 21,143 km² (1.57% of the territory’s area).

Geography

There are many very small settlements scattered across the Territory but the larger population centres are located on the single sealed road that links Darwin to southern Australia, the Stuart Highway, known to locals simply as "the track".

The Northern Territory is also home to two spectacular natural rock formations, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which are sacred to the local Aborigines and which have become major tourist attractions.

In the northern part of the territory lies Kakadu National Park, which features breathtaking wetlands and native wildlife. To the north of that lies the Arafura Sea, and to the east lies Arnhem Land, whose regional centre is Maningrida on the Liverpool River delta.

Demographics

The population of the Northern Territory is only about 1% of the total population of Australia. Population centres include the capital, Darwin, nearby Palmerston and Alice Springs.

Australian Aboriginal people make up 27 per cent of the Northern Territory's population and own some 49% of the land in the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory's alcohol consumption is one of the highest in the world, and certainly the highest in Australia. In 2001 the alcohol consumption rate was estimated at 1120 standard drinks per person per year.