Australia Presentation by M. Østensen

Oceania Australia is part of Oceania, the continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.

Australian History Some Europeans visited Australia in the 17th century. They sailed there with big ships. They wanted to discover new places. The Dutch were the first to discover Australia. The first British captain to discover Australia was James Cook. He claimed New South Wales for Great Britain.

More Australian History In 1770 the British claimed the Eastern part of Australia. It became a British colony. They wanted English people to live there, and to keep the colony as part of the British Empire. They sent people to live there as punishment for crimes.

The Flag of Australia Flag Description: In 1901 the British owned six colonies. They became a federation, the Commonwealth of Australia. The Australian flag has six stars all together, one for each of the colonies. The flag is blue with the flag of the United Kingdom in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven- pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star.

States and Territories Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories States: -Queensland -New South Wales -South Australia -Victoria -Tasmania - Western Australia Territories: -Australian Capital Territory -Northern Territory

Queensland Australia's second largest state 25% of Australia's land mass four times the size of Japan nearly six times the size of the UK more than twice the size of Texas in the US Off the coast of Queensland you find the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on Earth. It is so big that it can be seen from space. Most impressive is that it is built by living organisms. A coral is a small animal called a polyp. The polyps live together and form a reef. There are 400 different types of coral on the Great Barrier Reef.

Diving and Surfing Diving at the Great Barrier Reef is a great experience. Surfing is a very popular sport in Australia. Thousands of people come to Surfers Paradise to try the waves.

New South Wales A great holiday destination where you can get: –the big city buzz –great beaches –outdoor lifestyle –World Heritage national parks

The famous Sydney Opera House is designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The Opera House is appreciated by opera lovers and tourists.

The Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was established in 1911 to create a capital for the newly federated country of Australia.

Victoria The state of Victoria has something for everyone because of the diversity and beauty of Victoria's regions: –world-class wineries of the Yarra Valley –mineral springs of Macedon Ranges and Spa Country –coastal villages of the peninsulas –alpine towns in the High Country,

Tasmania Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometres (150 miles) stretch of Bass Strait Tasmania is a land apart; a place of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes A friendly, welcoming people Temperate climate Quality wines and food A spirited history

South Australia Take a morning dip with dolphins just 20 minutes from your hotel in Adelaide's city centre. Journey to the heart of the Outback, just a few hours north of Adelaide. Fly south to Kangaroo Island to get up close and personal with sea lions, kangaroos and koalas.

Western Australia Dive with the world's largest fish - the whale shark. Snorkel with manta rays. Swim with wild dolphins. Walk amongst the tree tops of ancient trees. Sleep under a canopy of stars in the desert. Explore the beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungles with the help of an Aboriginal guide.

Northern Territory Equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined. The Northern Territory is blessed with a variety of natural landscapes. One of the Northern Territory's wonders includes Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Ayers Rock.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is in the Northern Territory. It is a large rock of sandstone. Uluru is sacred to the Aboriginal people in the area.

The Aboriginal people were the first people to live in Australia. They came about 42,000 years ago. They came from South-East Asia. The Aborigines were hunters and gatherers. Australian Aboriginals

Aboriginal people

Didgeridoos

Didgeridoo The didgeridoo is one of the world’s oldest musical instruments. It is a unique wind instrument made from the trunk of trees which are hollow in the inside. The trees that are most commonly used are eucalyptus trees. It is a difficult instrument to play and your breathing is very important while playing it. The Aborigines invented the didgeridoo.

The Boomerang A boomerang is a flat curved object that spins when it is in flight. It is usually made from wood. Boomerangs were used by the Aborigines for hunting animals for food many thousands of years ago. They also used them in warfare. There are two types of boomerangs, the returnable and the non-returnable. Boomerangs that return to the thrower are toys, which many children in Australia play with today.

Aboriginal Rock Drawing

Aboriginal Art

Kangaroo

Hunting Kangaroo

Kookaburra

Crabs and turtles

Crocodiles

Dolphins

Platypus

Lizards

Snake