welcome to Australia the land down under

Australia Australia is… 1) a continent, a country and an island at the same time

Australia Australia is… 2) about the same size as the United States

Australia Australia is… 3) Not very populated and has a population equal to the population of New York state

Australia Australia Data… Land Area: 2,967,892 square miles Population: 21 million Population Density: 7 people per square mile

Australia Australia Basics… Official Name: Commonwealth of Australia Capital City: Canberra Gov’t Type: Parliamentary Democracy Prime Minister: Julia Gillard Official Language: English

Australia A bit more explanation needed! What is Parliamentary Democracy? Australia has a constitutional monarchy based on a mixture of the United States and United Kingdoms government systems with HM Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Even though Australia has long since left the zone of British influence, the country still appoints a governor general who "technically" reports to the monarch in Britain. (Queen has NO real power & In 1999, Australia voted to keep the tie to the British monarchy) Australia's government is a parliamentary democracy, where the head of government given the title of Prime Minister. The Australian Government is constituted of the House of Representatives (the Lower House) and the Senate (the Upper House). There are two main political parties: the Liberal Party and the Labor Party. Current Prime Minister: Julia Gillard (1 st Female PM of Australia)

Australia Iconic Australia… What makes Australia Unique! Aborigines: the original inhabitants (native people) of the Australian continent

Australia Iconic Australia… Kangaroo: a marsupial (pouched mammal) found throughout the Australian continent & use as the national symbol of Australia

Australia Iconic Australia… Uluru: also known as “Ayers Rock” is a large sandstone rock formation in the center of Australia that is sacred in the Aboriginal culture

Australia Iconic Australia… Sydney Opera House: a performing arts center situated on the edge of Sydney Harbor, thought be one of the 20 th Centuries most well known structures in the world

Australia Iconic Australia… Great Barrier Reef : a coral ecosystem that is equal to the size of Germany & considered the largest living organism on earth!

Australia A Glimpse at Australian History… 40,000 year Ago: 1 st inhabitants arrive from Asia (Aborigines) 1606: Dutch Ships Land at Gulf of Carpentaria…1 st Europeans in Australia 1616: Australia became known as New Holland

Australia A Glimpse at Australian History… 1688: British arrive in Australia 1770: Captain James Cook's voyage Great Britain claimed possession of the vast island, calling it New South Wales 1788: British establish penal colony at Port Jackson (now Sydney)

Australia A Glimpse at Australian History… 1839: British End Penal Colony Rule 1786 – 1859: former prisoners & free settlers establish 6 Colonies (New South Wales,Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland) 1901: Australia gains independence & the six colonies become states within Commonwealth of Australia

Australia A Glimpse at Australian History… 1915 – 1954: WWI & WWII Australia fights along side British and American Troops …strengthens bond with USA 1960’s: Aboriginal Movement…gain full citizenship & increased support for lower economic classes 2010: 1 st Female Prime Minister elected

Australia How to “Speak” Australian… The American would say… The Australian would say… Hello Friend/Buddy G’Day Mate Dork/Crazy Person/Idiot Nong an Australian person Aussie (Ozzie) The Country/Way out of the city Woop Woop or the Bush Country Small Child Ankle Biter Nosy Person Stickybeak Underwear Daks vs.