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Australia - The Red Center - Uluru
Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock or The Rock) is a large rock formation in central Australia, in the Northern Territory. It is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 350 km southwest of Alice Springs.
Uluru rises 348 meters from the desert. It is the world's most famous monolith, yet it is estimated that at least two-thirds of the Rock lies beneath the surface. The spectacular landscape and fascinating plants and animals of Uluru are a source of wonder and inspiration.
The Rock is arkose, a course-grained sandstone rich in feldspar at least 2.5 km thick. Uplifting and folding between 400-300 millions
years ago turned the sedimentary layers nearly 90 degrees to their present position. The surface has then been eroded.
Depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions, the rock can dramatically change color, anything from blue to violet to glowing red !
Viewing is spectacular at sunset and sunrise as the arc of the sun casts the Rock in the most amazing shades and colors.
On 26 October 1985, the Australian government returned ownership of Uluṟu to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines, with one of the conditions being that the Anangu would lease it back to the National Parks and Wildlife for 99 years and that it would be jointly managed. The Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu (pop. approx. 300) is near the western end of Uluru. From Uluru it is 17 km by road to the tourist town of Yulara (pop. 3,000), which is situated just outside of the National Park.
The Aborigines believe that there it is hollow below ground, and that there is an energy source that they call 'Tjukurpa' the dream time.A variety of Aborigine legends account for the existence of Uluru and its many cracks and fissures. One tells of serpent beings who waged many wars around Uluṟu, scarring the rock. Another myth recounts that two tribes of ancestral spirits were invited to a feast, but were distracted by the beautiful Sleepy Lizard Women and did not show up. In response, the angry hosts sang evil into a mud sculpture that came to life as the dingo. There followed a great battle, which ended in the deaths of the leaders of both tribes. The earth itself rose up in grief at the bloodshed — this is Uluru.
The local Anangu do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance. They request that visitors not climb the rock, partly due to the path crossing a sacred traditional dreaming track, and also a sense of responsibility for the safety of visitors to their land. |
