Australia By Chantell Williams

MAP OF AUSTRALIA

The Smallest Continent Australia is an independent member of the commonwealth of nations. It is surrounded by large bodies of water. Australia is an independent member of the commonwealth of nations. It is surrounded by large bodies of water. The total area is estimated at 2,966,151 square miles making Australia the largest country and the smallest continent The total area is estimated at 2,966,151 square miles making Australia the largest country and the smallest continent

The name “Australia” is derived from the Latin word Australis, meaning of the south. The first human habitation of Australia is estimated to have occurred between 42,000 and 48,000 years ago. The first Australians were the ancestors of the current Indigenous Australians; they arrived via land bridges and short sea-crossings from p Southeast Asia.land bridgesSoutheast Asia Most of these people were hunter-gatherers, with a complex oral culture and spiritual values based on reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime.hunter-gatherersoral cultureDreamtime

Geography : The Australian continent is located between the Indian Ocean and the south pacific Ocean. Climate : Generally dry to very dry. The northern areas are tropical while the south and east are usually temperate. Population : 20,434,176 (July 2007 est.)

The Flag The Flag The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition. It was approved by Australian and British authorities over the next few years. The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition. It was approved by Australian and British authorities over the next few years.AustralianBritishAustralianBritish The flag is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper hoist quarter, and a large white seven- pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist. The flag contains a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars - one small five- pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars The flag is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper hoist quarter, and a large white seven- pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist. The flag contains a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars - one small five- pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed starsdefacedBlue EnsignUnion FlagCommonwealth StarflagSouthern CrossdefacedBlue EnsignUnion FlagCommonwealth StarflagSouthern Cross

The Culture : Australian Aboriginal culture is complex and extraordinarily diverse. It is one of the world's longest surviving cultures, which goes back at least 50,000 years. Australian Aboriginal culture is complex and extraordinarily diverse. It is one of the world's longest surviving cultures, which goes back at least 50,000 years. There were over 500 different clan groups or 'nations' around the continent, many with distinctive cultures and beliefs. Hundreds of languages and dialects existed (although many are now extinct), as well as a variety of different customs and rituals, art forms, styles of painting, forms of food, and hunting habits. There were over 500 different clan groups or 'nations' around the continent, many with distinctive cultures and beliefs. Hundreds of languages and dialects existed (although many are now extinct), as well as a variety of different customs and rituals, art forms, styles of painting, forms of food, and hunting habits.