Australia is prone to drought because of its geography and changeable rainfall patterns
Australia is the driest inhabited continent
Australia is located in a sub-tropical area (10-40 degrees south of the equator) that experiences dry, sinking air, leading to clear skies and little rain
Australia experienced 3 El Ninos within 7 years
In 2006 the annual rainfall was 40-60% below normal over the part of Australia south of the Tropic of Capricorn
The 2002-2003 El Nino caused Eastern Australia to receive very little rain. Weaker El Nino's continued in 2004-2005 and 2006-2007
