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The Pilbara is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It the situated in the north west of Western Australia, south of the Kimberley. The Pilbara is made up of the local government areas of Ashburton, East Pilbara (the largest shire in the world), Port Hedland and Roebourne.
The Pilbara region covers an area of 507,896 km2 (including offshore islands). It has a population of just under 40,000 people, most of whom live in the western third of the region. Most Pilbara residents live in the region's towns, which include Port Hedland, Karratha, Newman and Marble Bar. A substantial number of people also work in the region on a fly-in/fly-out basis.
The Pilbara consists of three distinct geographic areas. The western third is coastal sandplain, and supports most of the region's population and much of its industry and commerce. The eastern third is almost entirely desert, and is sparcely populated by a small number of Aboriginal people. In between is a vast area of inland ranges, which contain a number of mining towns, and natural attractions in the form of gorges.
The climate of the Pilbara is semi-arid, with high temperates and low rainfall. During the summer months, maximum temperatures exceed 32°C (90°F) almost every day, and temperatures in excess of 45°C (113°F) are not uncommon. The Pilbara town of Marble Bar is claimed by some to be the world's hottest place, having once recorded 161 consecutive days in which the maximum temperature reached or exceeded 100°F (37.8°C).
The Pilbara's economy is dominated by mining and petroleum industries. Most of Australia's iron ore is mined in the Pilbara, with mines mostly centred around Tom Price and Newman. These reserves were first discovered by Lang Hancock, later to become one of Australia's richest men. The region also has a substantial tourist sector, with popular natural attractions including the Karijini and Millstream-Chichester national parks, the Dampier Archipelago and the Ningaloo Reef.
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