Where Australian’s Live… Location, Climate, & Natural Resources in Australia

Location Of Australia Both a continent & a country Lies about 2,000 miles southeast of Asia In the southern hemisphere Literally the “land down under”!

Location Coastal areas are the most populated Most people live along east coast Most populated city is Sydney, in New South Wales Another populated city: Brisbane, Queensland

Location Nearly 80% of Australians live in urban areas Australia is one of the world’s most urbanized countries 70% of all Australians live in cities of more than 100,000 people Sydney has 3 1/2 million people Melbourne has about 3 million people

Climate of Australia Varies across the continent It’s south of the equator, so climate is opposite North America: Summer: December through March Winter: June through September

Climate: North Australia Northern part of Australia is closest to the equator Tropical climate and is warm-to-hot all year round Gets more rain than any other part of the country Winter: wet and cool Summer: hot and dry

Climate: Central Australia Desert is the largest part of Australia OUTBACK!! Little rain falls here Most of this area gets less than 10 inches of rain per year!

Climate: Coasts Only the southeast and southwest corners have a temperate climate Summers aren’t too hot & winters aren’t too cold (similar to Georgia) Climate in these regions is the one that Australians prefer the most Most Australians live along southeastern coast

Natural Resources of Australia Outback refers to the dry interior Mainly open countryside, including vast expanses of grazing land Few widely scattered settlements in the outback Many of them grew up around mining operations…

Natural Resources: Mining Australians mine for coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, zinc, oil, and natural gas Lead the world in the production of diamonds, lead, & bauxite (used to make aluminum)!

Natural Resources: Mining Minerals are often found in areas that are difficult to reach Roads are expensive to build, but they are needed to get workers & equipment to remote locations Expensive equipment is needed to move minerals to populated cities to trade

Natural Resources: Arable Land Land that is good for farming Enough areas with good land and rainfall to make farming an important business in Australia Farmers here produce more than Australians can consume, so the food is traded and sold around the world

Questions to Consider: Where do most Australians live? What important business is done in the outback? Why do most Australians live in southeastern Australia? Most people live in cities mining Climate is not too hot or too cold

Postcard Directions: Front: Illustration of your favorite Australian destination (must be colorful!) Back: Write a greeting to one of your friends that describes Australia. Be sure to include: Location Climate Land Resources