area: 984,000 sq km population: 1,496,800 people (1995) density of population: 1.52 people per sq km

South Australia is the driest of the states - even Western Australia doesn't have such a large proportion of desert. Nevertheless South Australia is renowned for its vineyards and wineries. The Barossa Valley is probably the best-known wine-producing area, but there are also the fine Clare and Coonawarra valleys and McLaren Vale.
Farther north, the rugged Flinders Ranges offer spectacular scenery and superb bushwalking, while the far north has some of the most inhospitable yet fascinating country in Australia.
source: lonely planet travel survival kit, Australia