AUSTRALIA
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere. LOCATION Because it is south of the equator, the seasons in Australia are the opposite of those in the U.S.: it’s winter in Australia when it’s summer in Europe. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Quick Facts - It is the 6th biggest country in the world. - It is an island, surrounded by water. - It is the smallest continent in the world.
Australia is composed of 7 territories: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria + Tasmania, and Papua New Guinea.
HISTORY James Cook discovered Australia in 1770. Originally planned to search Tahiti Britain sent prisoners and criminals to Australia. Because of U.S. fight for independence Many criminals were convicted of petty or political crimes Europeans sold the land of Aborigines and killed thousands of them.
Native Australians. The Aborigines have lived in Australia for over 40,000 years. Now they only represent 1% of the population. The total population of Australia is 22 million.
The capital city is Canberra. CITIES The biggest city is Sydney, where there is the famous Sydney Opera House. The capital city is Canberra.
OTHER IMPORTANT CITIES Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
Where are the majority of important cities in Australia?
GEOGRAPHY Uluru (Ayers Rock) is the world’s largest monolith. Monolith- a single great stone often in the form of a column It is sacred for Aborigines. It is very popular with tourists because of its beautiful colors. Created over 600 million years ago Once was at the bottom of the sea Circumference of 9.4 Kilometers (5.8 miles)
The Great Barrier Reef Located off the northeast coast of Queensland. It is the worlds largest reef system. Composed of 2,900 individual reefs. Roughly half the size of Texas. Can be seen from space! Home to 30 different species of whales/dolphins and 1,500 different species of fish Climate change is the biggest threat to the reef. Warmer ocean temperatures put stress on coral.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef
scuba-diving cricket surfing swimming In Australia it is usually very warm, so Australians love sports and other outdoor activities. The most popular are: scuba-diving cricket surfing swimming
TYPICAL ANIMALS Koala Kangaroo
Dingo Sugar glider Platypus
Australia has also some very poisonous snakes and spiders Australia has also some very poisonous snakes and spiders. At school children have to learn first aid for snake and spider bites.
Sydney Opera House built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon
A boomerang
SOME AUSTRALIAN SYMBOLS
The currency is the Australian dollar.
THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG Southern cross symbolizes the constellation. Union Flag 6th British colony. The Commonwealth 7 pointed star represents the 7 territories.