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Torres Strait

Discover a watery highway between two big lands, filled with islands and amazing stories!

Images

Dancers, Poid, Torres Strait Island, June 1931

Dancers, Poid, Torres Strait Island, June 1931

openverse
Aukam canoe belonging to Elu Family, Saibai, Torres Strait Island, June 1931
Torres Strait Islanders preparing Beche-de-mer - 1906-1908
Torres Strait Islander Ellen Jose at the Commemoration for Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner 2012
Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags outside the Australian Parliament House in July 2016
Hon J C Peterson Home Secretary and party, Badu, Torres Strait Island, June 1931
Speaker's chair with Australian, Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, JSchool visit to Parliament of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 100511
Darnley Island Court House, Torres Straits
Torres Strait Islander Languages used at home
Hon J C Peterson Home Secretary and party with councillors and police, Main Street, Mabuiag, Torres Strait Island, June 1931
Dauarti canoe belonging to Bamaga Family, Saibai, Torres Strait Island, June 1931
Face mask torres strait

Key Facts

Location
Between Australia and New Guinea.
Width
About 93 miles (150 km) at its narrowest.
Named After
Luís Vaz de Torres, a navigator.
Fun Fact
It's like a watery bridge connecting two countries!

Where the Ocean Meets Two Lands!

Imagine a giant blue ribbon of water connecting two huge places: Australia and a place called New Guinea. That's the Torres Strait! It's like a big watery playground, about 93 miles wide at its narrowest part.

On one side, you have the very tippy-top of Australia, called Cape York Peninsula. On the other side is the country of Papua New Guinea. It's a super important spot where the ocean waves play between these two big countries.

Island Hopping Adventures!

The Torres Strait isn't just one big stretch of water; it's dotted with lots of islands, like stepping stones in the sea! These islands are home to special communities. The weather here is usually warm and sunny, perfect for exploring. Think of it like a giant puzzle of blue water and green islands, all waiting to be discovered. It's a place where the sea and land meet in a very special way.

A Name from a Brave Sailor!

Did you know this amazing strait has a name that tells a story? It's named after a brave explorer named Luís Vaz de Torres. He was a navigator who sailed through this watery path way back in 1606!

Imagine sailing on a ship hundreds of years ago, discovering new places. He was one of the first to chart this important route, making it known to the world. His name is now forever linked to this special place.

What's Happening in the Strait?

People have lived in the Torres Strait for a very, very long time, long before Luís Vaz de Torres sailed through! They have their own unique ways of life, traditions, and stories that have been passed down through many generations. They are known for their deep connection to the sea and the islands.

It's a place full of culture and history, where people live and work, making the most of their beautiful island home.

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Based on content from Wikipedia · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0