1. AUSTRALIA The kangaroo's kingdom

2. General Informations Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) is the sixth country in the world by extension(7,617,930 km²). It is formed by the Mainland, which is the continental part of the country, Tasmania and other smaller islands called Distant Lands, such as Cocos Islands, Keeling Islands and Christmas Island.

3. Generalities General: Official language: English Capital city: Canberra Political form of government: Federal parliamentary monarchy Queen: Elisabeth II First minister: Julia Gillard

4. Area: Total: 7,617,930 km² Population: Total: 22,618,521 ab. Economy: Currency: Australian dollar

5. Fauna The Australian fauna is characterized by particular species, such as the monotremes (the platypus), marsupials (kangaroos, koalas), crocodiles and the dingo. Among the birds there are the Emu, the budgies and Australian eagle. In Australia there are the most venomous snakes in the World.

6. Flora The Australian landscape has 4 types of vegetation: the bush, composed by trees up to 40m like the eucalyptus trees, the Mallee, the Mulga, made of acacia trees and then Scrub, characterize a flora in low bushes.

7. Curiosities Cinema & TV Among the TV series there are ‘H2O’, ‘Blue water High’ and ‘Neighbours’ Some famous films are ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’, ‘Crocodile Dundee’ and ‘Australia’ Music A great Australian hard rock band is AC/DC famous all over the world, and the songwriter Kylie Minogue

8. Curiosities Sport Some famous sports in Australia are Rugby, Cricket, Polo, Lacrosse, Tennis and Australian Football Gastronomy The most famous Australian sweets are: the Lamington sweet, Pavlova cake and Christmas Pavlova

9. Aboriginal Australians They have occupied the country for 50,000 or 60,000 years. There are about 600 different groups, but they have similar cultures and beliefs. Their spiritual belief in the land helps them to survive but however they continue to fight for their land today. Among the cultural heritage, storytelling occupies a very important part: it educates children about life, it teaches them about how to survive, about spirituality, their ancestors, heritage and dreamtime. Another part of the Aboriginal Australians’ cultural heritage is art: one of the oldest form of art is body painting for ceremonies and dances. Ceremonies are often accompanied with instruments like the digeridoo.