What is the role of the Great Dividing Range in relation to rivers?

The Great Dividing Range plays a significant role in shaping the flow of rivers in Australia by acting as a natural divide that separates rivers into two distinct regions: those that flow to the east and those that flow to the west. This mountain range runs along the eastern coast and influences rainfall patterns and the direction of river systems.

In the area to the east of the range, rivers typically flow towards the Pacific Ocean, benefiting from higher rainfall due to moisture-laden winds that rise and cool over the mountains. In contrast, rivers west of the Great Dividing Range generally flow towards inland areas, including the Murray-Darling Basin, and often experience drier conditions. The range, therefore, is crucial in determining not just the flow and course of rivers but also in creating distinct hydrological regions within the Australian landscape.

Other choices do not accurately capture the primary role of the Great Dividing Range in relation to rivers. While it may indirectly contribute to water sources and natural boundaries, its most defining characteristic in terms of river systems is its function as a divide, impacting the geographical and hydrological characteristics of regions on either side.