AUSTRALIA animals

DEFINITION OF AUSTRALIA Australia - officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area. Neighboring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north; the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.

ANIMALS koala kangaroo opossum Autor: Quartl CC-BY-SA-3.0

ANIMALS Tasmanian devilemukiwi I, KeresH, CC-BY-SA-3.0.

PLATYPUS – MY FAVOURITE ANIMAL The platypus is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record. John Gould, CC-BY-2.0.

The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.

The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive breeding programmes have had only limited success and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat.

CANBERRA – THE CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA Canberra is the center of economic, cultural (Institute of Art, National Library) and scientific (Australian Academy of Science, University est. 1946) of the country. He has developed printing industry, electronics, precision and food. It is an important tourist center (annually visited by more than 0.6 million tourists), the International Airport and road junction. Autor: Adz CC-BY-2.0

SYDNEY – ONE OF BIG CITIES IN AUSTRALIA Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia. It is on Australia's south-east coast, on the Tasman Sea. In June 2010 the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people. Inhabitants of Sydney are called Sydneysiders, comprising a cosmopolitan and international population. Autor: Diliff CC-BY-SA-3.0

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