Climate Rainfall varies from an average 1570 mm a year in the far north to less than 150 mm in the south. About two-thirds of the Territory receives less than 500 mm a year. The temperature in Darwin remains almost constant throughout the year. In 1977 - federal legislation enabled aboriginal descendants to claim traditional ownership of vacant Crown land and today Aboriginal land trusts hold title to about 40 per cent of the Territory. Claims covering a further 10 per cent of the Territory are yet to be determined.
Exporters supply Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.
Mining Mineral and hydrocarbon production have been a major contributor to the Northern Territory s economic development. In 1992-93 mining contributed 21 per cent of gross state product compared with an average of five per cent elsewhere in the country. The Northern Territory s energy resources include oil, natural gas and uranium. Oil and gas exploration and production occurs onshore as well as in three areas offshore which continued to dominate energy exploration during 1993. Defence and science Because of its strategic location, Darwin is an important base of the Australian defence services.