Northern Territory of Australia

Approximately half of Australia lies above the Tropic of Capricorn or the Southern Tropic. But only 5% of the population of the mainland live here. It is an arid land inhabited by large herders, crocodile hunters and Aboriginal tribes. Geologists say that the Northern Territory, which is comparable in size to South Africa, is rich in deposits of diamonds, gold and uranium. But a fifth of this land is controlled by the natives, who oppose mining here. In recent years, environmentalists have actively joined their protests. Photographer David Gray took a series of bird's-eye shots of these lands.

(Total 11 photos)

1. Roads leading to the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/David Gray

2. The river winds around the peninsula of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013.

A small lake among sand dunes in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia on July 15, 2013.

4. Cloud shadows along the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013.

Rio Tinto Alcan Inc's bauxite mining dam in the Gove area known as Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia, on July 15, 2013.

6. Dirt roads intersect in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia on July 15, 2013.

7. Beach along the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013.

8. A small river flows among the sand dunes in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013.

9. The plane Boeing 767 casts a shadow over the bay near the peninsula of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013.

10. A dirt road and a river intersect in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia on July 15, 2013.

11. Streams and small rivers in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory, Australia, July 15, 2013.