Tasmania, an island state of Australia, has a rich history that dates back over 40,000 years, with the arrival of the Palawa people, the island's Indigenous inhabitants. They developed a unique culture and lived sustainably off the land, utilizing its diverse resources. In 1642, Abel Tasman became the first European to sight the island, naming it Van Diemen's Land. In the early 19th century, it became a penal colony for British convicts. Over time, free settlers arrived, leading to agricultural development and the establishment of towns, shaping Tasmania's modern identity.