AUSTRALIA

By Ben
Facts
■ As of 2012, Australia has an estimated population of over 22 million people.
■ Australia is the world's 6th largest country by area.
■ Due to its large size and isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is sometimes known as the ‘island continent’.
■ The largest cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
■ A desert area known as the ‘outback’ covers much of the land.
■ The name ‘Australia’ comes from the Latin word ‘australis’, meaning southern.
■ It is estimated the humans have lived in Australia for around 45000 years.
■ The indigenous people of Australia are Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.
■ The highest mountain on mainland Australia is Mt Kosciuszko, standing 2228m (7310ft) above sea level.
■ The world's largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is found off the north-eastern coast of Australia.
■ Australia has a range of different landscapes, including urban areas, mountain ranges, deserts and rain forests.
■ Australia is home to a variety of unique animals, including the koala, kangaroo, emu, kookaburra and platypus.
■ Although they usually keep to themselves, there are a range of dangerous snakes in Australia, such as the Brown
Snake, Tiger Snake and Taipan.
Australia

■ Australia is a country, and continent, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its
major cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal, but its
capital, Canberra, is inland and nicknamed the "Bush Capital." The country is known
for its Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, the vast Outback (interior desert
wilderness) and unique animal species including kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.
Climate

■ Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year but the climate can vary
due to the size of our continent. The northern states typically experience warm weather
much of the time, with the southern states experiencing cooler winters.
Flag and Map

■ Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth or Federation star. It has seven points
representing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth
of Australia. The star is also featured on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. The
Southern Cross is shown on the fly of the flag in white
■
Wild life

■ More than 80 per cent of our plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia
and are found no-where else. Some of our best-known animals are the
kangaroo, koala, echidna, dingo, platypus, wallaby and wombat.
Cuisine

■ Snags and tomato sauce is an Australian foodstaple .N othing is more Australian than

getting friends or family together for a barbecue. And at the heart of any good barbie is
a selection of good Australian snags -- from the traditional pork or beef, to those
flavored with herbs and spices from around the world