AUSTRALIA

An Introduction Full Name: Commonwealth of Australia Population: 19,200,00 Capital City: Canberra People: Original Inhabitants – Aborigines Colonized by Britain 1788 (Penal Colony-Punishment/Prison Colony) Immigration – European and Asian Currently - 94% European Decent 4% Asian 1.5% Aboriginal Languages: English Aboriginal Various European/Asian Languages Religions: 85% Atheism 10% Christian 1.5% Muslim 1.5% Buddhist 0.5% Jewish

An Introduction Government: Independent Member of British Commonwealth GDP: US$418 Billion GDP Per Head: US$22,000 Major Products/Industries: Minerals Oil, Coal, Gold Wool, Cereal, Meats Major Trading Partners: Japan SE Asia US & EU Environment: Vast Island Continent 6th largest country in the world Interior – barren & sparsely populated Unique flora and fauna (e.g. Kangaroos)

Arid & semi-desert landscapes of the ‘Outback’ PHYSICAL FEATURES 6th largest continent with an area of 7,682,300 sq kilometers. Flattest continent and lowest level of precipitation after Antarctica (mean annual rainfall is only 20 inches) Vast areas of arid or semi-desert landscapes unsuitable for settlement. Arid & semi-desert landscapes of the ‘Outback’ Desert

PHYSICAL FEATURES The Blue Mountains – “Three Sisters” Main mountain range travels North-South for 1900mile along the east coast (the Great Dividing Range) with the tallest mountains in the southeast (Australian Alps). The Great Dividing Range separates rivers that flow east to the coast from those that flow across the great plains to the interior.

REGIONS Has six states and the territories: 1 - New South Wales (NSW) 2 - Victoria (VIC) 3 - Queensland (QLD) 4 - South Australia (SA) 5 - Western Australia (WA) 6 - Tasmania (TAS) - Northern & Australian Capital Territory (NT & ACT)

REGIONS: New South Wales Capital City: Sydney (largest city in Australia) Land, People & Culture: Has most important rivers (Murray, darling and Murrumbidgee) to water the most productive farmland in the country Ethnically diverse with Europeans and Asians Have over half of the aboriginal population Many beaches & parks Sports & Entertainment important Meeting places are Pubs (bars) & Coffee shops Attractions: National Parks Blue Mountains Beaches Indigenous Australians – Aborigines Bondi Beach (Sydney) Sydney

REGIONS: New South Wales Sydney Harbor Bridge Industry & Economy: Cattle & sheep production for wool and meat Mining: Gold, Silver, Copper, Coal, Lead & Opals Agricultural producers of wheat & dairy Large-scale fishing & Seafood distribution Wholesale and retail trade Tourism Major seafood industry Sydney

REGIONS: Queensland Capital City: The Gold Coast Brisbane Land, People & Culture: Sprawling system of mountain ranges running north-south Rolling grasslands Fine beaches for water sports Over 80% of people were Australian born One-quarter of native Aborigines live in QLD Attractions: Great Barrier Reef Tropical Rainforests Sunshine & Gold Coast Beaches The Gold Coast The Great Barrier Reef Brisbane

High producer of Tropical fruits REGIONS: Queensland Sugarcane Farming High producer of Tropical fruits Industry & Economy: Australia’s largest producer of beef cattle World’s second largest producer of sugarcane Agricultural producers of Tropical fruits, wool and cotton Mining: Copper, coal, lead and zinc and bauxite (world’s largest deposit) Tourism Brisbane

REGIONS: Victoria Capital City: Land, People & Culture: Melbourne Land, People & Culture: Smallest mainland state Large European population Hosting large sporting events (Australian Open – Tennis; Grand Prix racing) Meeting places are Pubs (bars) & Coffee Shops Attractions: Historic Buildings Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles – Rock Outcrops Australian Open Tennis – Michael Chang The Great Ocean Road viewing the 12 Apostles Melbourne

REGIONS: Victoria Victorian Ship building yards Industry & Economy: Produces one-third of Australia’s manufacturing output Major industries of Shipbuilding and refining of Petroleum Production of metals, motor vehicles, textiles, printed materials and clothing Agricultural producers of field crops, vegetables and livestock Motor vehicle production in Melbourne Melbourne

REGIONS: South Australia Capital City: Adelaide Land, People & Culture: Consists of largely arid wasteland Most people are of British, Irish, or other European descent. City of churches – High migration of German Lutherans Arts & festivals Two-thirds of the state population live in Adelaide Attractions: Barossa Valley Wineries Nature & Wildlife Yearly festivals Adelaide – City of Churches Pelican colonies along the South Australian coast Adelaide

REGIONS: South Australia Industry & Economy: Smelting and production of lead and silver for export Quarrying of marble and granite and mining of coal & iron Large reserves of Uranium Agricultural producers and exporters of wheat, wine and wool Barossa Valley Wines Major industry of smelting lead and silver Adelaide

REGIONS: Western Australia Capital City: Perth (most isolated city in Australia) Land, People & Culture: WA is the largest state covering almost one-third of Australia Most of WA is sandy and dry with little vegetation World’s most sparsely populated region Attractions: Kimberly Wilderness Area Pristine coastline for boating and beaches Historical goldfields Beautiful scenic roads along the Western Australian coast Sparsely populated dry & sandy regions Perth

REGIONS: Western Australia Industry & Economy: Produces more than 10% of world’s iron ore World’s leading supplier of diamonds Production of gold, bauxite, nickel, petroleum, natural gas and coal Agricultural producers of wheat, oats, hay, potatoes, tobacco and orchard fruits Livestock production of sheep, cattle, pigs and horses. Forestry (timber production) and pearl farming are significant producers to the states economy Pearl Farming Diamond Mining Perth

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race REGIONS: Tasmania Capital City: Hobart Land, People & Culture: A mountainous island state More than one-fifth is National Park Half of the population live in Hobart Attractions: Fine Colonial architecture Nature & Wildlife Sailing Regattas Colonial Housing Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Hobart

Reliance on farming - vegetables REGIONS: Tasmania Industry & Economy: Reliant upon farming and natural resources Main products include: wool, hops, vegetables, beef, lambs and dairy Natural resources include timber, silver, copper, iron, lead and zinc Reliance on farming - vegetables Dairy farms Hobart

REGIONS: Australian Capital & Northern Territory Darwin REGIONS: Australian Capital & Northern Territory Northern Territory Capital City: Darwin Land, People & Culture: Population only 175,891. Largest concentration of native Aborigines Attractions: Kakadu National Park Uluru (Ayers Rock) Industry & Economy: Mineral deposits The Capitol Building - Canberra Australian Capital Territory Nations Capital: Canberra Land, People & Culture: Population of 281,125 with life revolving around the Federal Government Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Northern Territory Canberra