Design & Society Chapter 13 By Vyvie, Thu, & Lindsey

“Mining” Australia The world's smallest continent but the sixth-largest country in the world.continent Located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.

Geography -Consist of the Western Plateau & the Eastern Highlands. -Between the two lies the Central Lowlands. -Largest part of Australia is desert. - Mountain ranges run from north to south along the east coast

Climate Map

History of Australia Today Australia consist of six states. -Aborigines, 40,000 years ago from Southeast Asia -Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish ships sighted Australia in the 17th century -The British arrived in 1688,Captain James Cook named east coast New South Wales

Economy -Prosperous, Western-style mixed economy. -However low productivity due to Australian soils causes economic problems. -Minerals, tourism, wool & other agricultural goods are main exports today. -Trade partners shifted in last half century.

Australia & Britain -Many Australian’s today feel strongly connected to their British heritage. -Over capitalization resulting from British cultural values (monetary values and belief systems). -According to the author Australia is more British than modern Britain itself in its architecture & attitudes.

Soil -low nutrients  affect farming  fisheries -high salt  Water supply  Farmland  infrastructure

Water shortage & Climate Changes Low rainfall or extreme desert Rainfall depends on El Niño Southern Oscillation.

Australia mining

Mining Minerals Key to Australia’s Economy today. Mining of coal, gold, iron, and aluminum. Overexploited resources. **Australia’s largest gold mine**

Gold Minerals Silver Coal Copper

Interactions with other societies -US remains Australia’s largest source of import & Japan export. -With in the last 25 years Australia became engaged with its Asian neighbors. 1] Accepted Asian immigrants. 2] Cultivated Asian trade partners. -The three top customer of mineral exports are Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Two thirds of Australia's exports energy and minerals goes to China. “tyranny of distance” is an important factor in Australia’s development.

Land Degradation Clear land of vegetation Sheep, Rabbits remove vegetation Government policy Overgrazing Soil nutrient exhausted Soil erosion Man-made drought

*5 Point Framework Analysis* 1] Damage to the environment: Yes, humans have obvious massive impacts on environment. i.e, land degradation, soils, water shortage... 2] Climate change: Definitely, it’s increasing the severity of those impacts today. 3] Hostile neighbors: Partially, it has been bombed recently in 2002 & ] Decreased support by friendly neighbors: Yes, relations with Britain as trade partners & model society. 5] The society responses to its own problems: Central question: Which of our traditional core values can we retain & which ones instead no longer serve us well.

The End :]