5 Interesting Facts About Australian Uluru
In movies or documentaries, the Australian desert often appears as a large, hot, arid plain, but there are also rock formations that stand out. One is the Uluru monolith, a geological structure that is characterized by being a single rock massif.
With over 300 meters in height and 9.4 kilometers in circumference, its stature has made it considered sacred by aboriginal tribes that inhabited the region for over 10, 000 years, so much so that its name comes from this people.
When explorer William Gosse arrived in the region in 1873, he named the massif as Ayers Rock, named after Sir Henry Ayres, a prominent public figure at the time. Therefore, the formation has two names, Ayers Rock or Uluru, being the second most popular and known worldwide.
Check out 5 interesting facts about the amazing Uluru:
1. A holy place
The Uluru is considered a sacred place by the Anangu, aboriginal tribe that has inhabited the region for about 10, 000 years. According to the website Uluru Australia, “Aboriginal culture says that Uluru was formed by ancestral beings during their dreams. The various fissures and caves are indicated as evidence of this, and structures around the formation are pointed to as representation of the ancestral spirits. Rituals are still performed today in the caves near the base, where there are signs warning that photography is prohibited, out of respect for the sacred place.
The monolith is in the region of the geological formation of Kata Tjuta, which was turned into a national park a few years ago. As a result, the number of tourists who climbed to the top of the formation increased. There was a lot of discussion on the subject, as the Anangus would be the rightful owners of Uluru, and after years of legal disputes they obtained rights over the region.
Tourism was not barred, and that was not even the initial idea, but now the trip to the top of Uluru has been banned, as well as other activities that, in the tribe's view, disrespect the sacred area.
2. He is not the biggest in the world
Australia can be considered home to the largest monoliths in the world; The largest is Mount Augustus, located in the west of the country. Uluru comes in second, but still impresses with its stature in a flat region with little vegetation. Initially the whole region was mountainous, but because of its massive rock composition, it withstood rain and wind for millions of years, while the landscape around it became what it is today.
In addition to size, color is surprising. It is due to the high concentration of iron in the rock composition, which due to local atmospheric conditions oxidizes and generates the reddish tone we see in the photos.
3. He is an iceberg on earth
The great Uluru is 348 meters high above the surface and has an approximate circumference of 9.4 kilometers, but this is only a small piece of the formation. Below the surface, it is estimated to be 863 meters deep!
4. UNESCO World Heritage
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has been recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a natural and cultural heritage at the same time. In addition to its geological value, the culture present through Aboriginal people from its origins makes the region a place of great worldwide importance.
5. You can visit it over the internet.
A trip to Australia is not on a weekend, nor is it so cheap. Fortunately, some routes are available in Google Street View. The images were recorded by people walking with a specific camera, placed inside a backpack and showing the viewer's point of view. Through the internet you can view approximately 40% of the formation and its surroundings.
An interactive online map is also available, where you can navigate the paths used by tourists, while hearing from Anangus themselves the cultural significance of some of the trail's points (English only).
