Australia Cultural Scrapbook By: Eduardo Salas

Population Facts Population of Australia is 21.8 million and is growing 1.2 percent a year. 4.3 million live in Sydney, 3.8 million in Melbourne. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide each have from one to two million people 89% live in urban areas, most major cities are located in the coast.

Population

Ethnic Makeup 92% of Australians are Caucasian Australian Aborigines make up only 1% Asian population is 7%.

Religion For the most part, religion does not play a big role in daily life for Australians Many attend church on special occasions 76% are considered Christian, 26% Anglican, 26% Roman Catholic, and 24% other denominations, the other 24% include other religions and people that are non-religious.

Religion A Graph of Australian religion according to a census A Catholic Cathedral Picture of a Cross

Greetings ‘Hi’ and ‘G-day’ (Good Day) are normal greetings people would use with friends, closer friends (female) or opposite sex friends also might greet each other with a light hug and maybe a kiss on the right cheek. Formal way of greeting would be saying ‘Hello’ or ‘How are you?’ A wave is also acceptable from a distance. Friends and peers call themselves with their first names, while older people others of high importance are addressed by their title and their last name.

Gestures When yawning, the person covers their mouth and then excuses themselves. Winking at a women is inappropriate, and so is pointing with the index finger. So people usually point with an open hand in the general direction instead of pointing. Men have a strong sense of personal space, and it is also impolite to walk in between people during a conversation.

Greetings/Gestures ‘Hi’ is a usual greeting Many greet each other with a wave from a distance Pointing is considered rude

Holidays Australia day, which is January 26, is celebrated as the day the first European Settlers reached Australia. Easter, New Years, Christmas, Easter, Labor Day, and many others are Celebrated. Boxing Day is another holiday which originated from the British, when small wrapped box gifts were given to employees or the poor, now used to visit friends and family.

Holidays Fireworks set on Australia Day, and New Years

Rites of Passage Dating usually starts at 15 Activities mostly include dancing and going to the movies. Average age of Marriage is 27. Growing number of couples have chosen to live with each other without being married.

Rights of Passage A church where a wedding is about to begin Movie theater, one of the activities that most couples do when dating Couple getting married

Food People commonly have three meals a day, most busy families only eat the afternoon meal together. ‘Tea’ may refer to afternoon refreshments, or dinner (afternoon meal) Everyone stays at the table until everyone finishes, Having elbows on the table is considered impolite, using a toothpick at the table is also considered impolite

Food Australian food includes a mix of European and Asian Food Table etiquette

Clothing Casual but not sloppy, tattered clothing is not acceptable People may wear hats and sunglasses year-round to protect from the sun Women wear fairly conservative pant suits or blouses with a skirt in the workplace

Clothing Sunglasses are often used to protect from the sun Women use similar clothing for their workplace Usually people dress Casually

Sports/Recreation Most Australian enjoy playing Cricket, which is the most popular sport. Australian-rules football is also popular, especially in the state of Victoria. Other things include fishing, hiking, camping, boating, cycling, picnicking, and going to the beach are a few.

Sports/Recreation People having fun playing Cricket Beach by Sydney Camping spot in Australia

Arts Paintings, dances, rock art, and musical stories which are called songlines are focused on creation legends. A Musical instrument; the Aboriginal Didgeridoo, is five feet long, which the player blows to make a distinctive resonating sound. The Sydney Opera House, is a symbol to the devotion of Australia to fine arts.

Arts The Aboriginal Didgeridoo Rock art from Australia The Sydney Opera House