General Information about Bushwalking

Definitions of some of the terms used and their origins:

Bushwalk (Australia) – hike through the bush for pleasure

Trek (South Africa)- make a long journey

Safari – any long, hard journey

Hike – long walk in the country taken for pleasure or exercise

Bush – wild, uncultivated land with or without trees or bushes in Australia and Africa

Walk – a journey on foot for pleasure or exercise

Hike can also be substituted for ramble, tramp, march, trek, journey

Walk can also be substituted for hike, march, pace, tramp, trek, trudge

NORTH AMERICA:

Lying in the Western
Hemisphere, this is the third
largest of the continents with
an area of about 24 million
sq. kms/9 million sq. miles. It
is bordered on the west by
the Pacific Ocean, on the
north by the Artic Ocean, has
the Atlantic Ocean on the
east and is connected to
South America by the
Isthmus of Panama.

North America therefore
includes the whole of Central
America and the northern
most part of Latin America
as well as the islands of the
Caribbean Sea.

The vast diversity of
landscapes and climatic
regions provide a rich selection of wonderful hiking
and trekking choices.

SOUTH AMERICA:

Is the fourth largest of the
continents with an
approximate area of 18
million sq.kms/7 million sq.
miles or about one-eighth of
the world’s surface.

Is the fourth largest of the continents with an approximate
area of 18 million sq.kms/7 million sq. miles or about one
-eighth of the world’s surface. It is washed by the
Caribbean Sea (north-west), by the Atlantic Ocean (north
-east, east and south), by Drake Passage (south) and by
the Pacific Ocean (west). It is joined to North America by the Isthmus of Panama.

As this continent includes such a large number of countries,
cultures, weather patterns and landforms (tropical
rainforests, high mountains, deep gorges and valleys,
countless lakes), it is a haven for hikers and bushwalkers.

EUROPE:

Europe has an area of over 10 million sq. kms/4 million sq.
miles and encompasses such a vast and diverse region
ranging from Scandinavia in the north, the United Kingdom
and France in the west, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece in
the south and the Baltic and Balkan states and Russia in
the east.

Hiking, trekking and mountain climbing are very popular
activities amongst the varied populations contained within
this huge continent.

ASIA:

This, the largest of the world’s continents, has a mainland
area of about 44 million sq. kms/17 million sq. miles.  The
Pacific Ocean forms a natural boundary to the east and the
island arc which includes Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines
and Indonesia are also contained within Asia.

Hiking, forest and jungle trekking and mountain climbing
are becoming increasingly popular pastimes and
recreational activities, particularly as access to certain
areas becomes easier.

AFRICA:

Is the second largest of the continents with an area of
approximately 30 million sq. kms/12 million sq. miles.  It is
bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the
Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean
in the east and by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in the
south. In the north-east, Africa is separated from the Sinai
Peninsula of Asia by the Suez Canal.

A rich diversity of countries, cultures, landscapes, climates
ensure an interesting bushwalking experience for all those
who seek adventure.