County of Banks, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BanksQueensland |
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Location within Queensland
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The County of Banks is a special area in Queensland, Australia. It was one of the ways land was divided a long time ago, even before the year 1901. This county is found in a part of Queensland called Far North Queensland.
It was named after a famous scientist, Sir Joseph Banks. He visited this area in 1770 with Captain James Cook. Some towns you might know that are inside the County of Banks include Cooktown, Lakeland, and Laura.
What is a County?
A county is like an old-fashioned way of dividing up land. Before 1901, Australia used counties to help organize different areas. The County of Banks is one of these historical land divisions in Queensland. Even though we don't use them for everyday government now, they are still important for understanding history and land records.
Where is Banks Located?
The County of Banks is located in the northern part of Queensland, which is known as Far North Queensland. It stretches from the coast, next to the Coral Sea, inland. It shares its borders with other old counties like Melville, Mosman, Chelmsford, Dagmar, and Solander.
Who was Sir Joseph Banks?
The County of Banks is named after Sir Joseph Banks. He was a very important English scientist and botanist (someone who studies plants). In 1770, he sailed with Captain James Cook on the ship HMS Endeavour. They landed in an area that is now part of the County of Banks. Banks collected many new plants and animals during his journey, which helped people learn a lot about Australia's unique nature.
Towns and Parishes
Inside the County of Banks, you'll find a few interesting towns. These include Cooktown, which is a coastal town, and Lakeland and Laura, which are further inland.
Counties like Banks were also divided into even smaller areas called "civil parishes." These parishes were used to help manage land and keep records. For example, the town of Cooktown is located within the Cook Parish, and Laura is in the Deighton Parish. There are many parishes within the County of Banks, each with its own name and location.
