Geography of Queensland and the Simpson Desert are partially located in Queensland. Drought has had a significant impact on Queensland rural communities, both socially and economically. The east coast of Australia, including what is now known as Queensland was first explored by James Cook but for thousands of years before it was occupied by Indigenous Australians. The capital of Queensland is Brisbane. Queensland uses the Australian Eastern Standard Time Zone, but does not adjust in summer for daylight saving. Mining and agriculture, particularly sugar cane harvesting, are the state's main industries. The Great Artesian Basin is an important water source for the state.
Tropical North Queensland Wet Tropics. Within the tourism industry, the phrase is used to mean varying areas of the tropical region of the state, usually within Far North Queensland. Different government departments also have varying definitions for what is meant by "Tropical North Queensland" and Tropical Australia. Tropical North Queensland Tropical North Queensland is the northern part of Queensland, Australia, an area from about the city of Mackay north to the tip of Cape York. The tropical region of Queensland covers 54% of the state's area some , and includes the whole area above the latitude 23.5 degrees south, taking in an area