Australian Adventure 6 th grade geography

Introduction G’ Day Mate! We will be taking you on an adventure into the depths of the Outback, Australia of course! Bell Ringer: What do you already know about Australia?

Physical Geography Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent. It is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Ocean, making it an island. Australia gets its name from the Latin word australis, meaning “southern.” Also called “Down Under” because it is under the equator on a map. Australia is the second most arid (dry) continent in the world. The first is Antarctica. Australia is mostly desert.

Biodiversity Biodiversity: the variety of plants and animals living in one area Botanist: a scientist who studies plants Joesph Banks was one of the first botanists to study the unusual species of Australia. Native species: animals and plants that occur naturally in an area. 80% of Australia’s species occur nowhere else on Earth. DISCUSSION: Why do so many species only occur in Australia? What are some native species you know of?

Landforms Ayers Rock/ Uluru Lake Hillier Great Barrier Reef 10 major deserts

Great Barrier Reef One of the seven wonders of the natural world. Largest coral reef system in the world. Larger than the Great Wall of China. Only living thing on Earth visible from space. Tourist attraction and essential biodiverse ecosystem.

Outback Vast desert area of Australia. Called by locals “a sunburnt country” due to the brown, dry landscape. Does not have a specific size or location, does take up most of Australia. More than 90% of the Australian population live in urban areas on the coastal fringes – the Outback is therefore mostly uninhabited.