AUSTRALIA

BASIC FACTS

• Australia is located in the eastern part of the Southern Hemisphere, between the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.
• It is the largest island and the smallest continent in the world.
• A large part of Australia is desert, so it has a small population.
• James Cook discovered Australia in 1770.
• The original inhabitants of Australia are the Aboriginal people, whose culture is one of the oldest on Earth. They traditionally paint their faces and bodies with white and red pigments.
• The capital city is Canberra.

STRUCTURE OF AUSTRALIA

Australia consists of 6 states and 2 territories:

• Western Australia – the capital: Perth
• South Australia – the capital: Adelaide
• Queensland – the capital: Brisbane
• New South Wales – the capital: Sydney
• Victoria – the capital: Melbourne
• Tasmania – the capital: Hobart

POPULATION

Australia is not densely populated, with over 26 million inhabitants, mostly of British origin. They are often called “Aussies.” The population density is approximately two people per square kilometer.

QUESTION TIME
Part 1

1. Where is Australia located?
2.  Who discovered Australia?
3. What is the administrative structure of Australia?
4. What is the capital of Australia, and what is its approximate population?
5. What are the original inhabitants called, and what is the nickname for present-day inhabitants?
6. Is Australia a lush, green country?

GEOGRAPHY

• Deserts: Major deserts include the Great Sandy Desert and the Victoria Desert.
• Rivers: The primary rivers are the Murray and the Darling.
• Lakes: Notable lakes include Lake Eyre, Lake Torrens, and Lake Gairdner.
• Mountains: The Australian Alps are the main mountain range, with the highest peak being Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 meters). The southeast region is covered with eucalyptus forests and other evergreen trees.

CLIMATE

• Australia has a hot climate with abundant sunshine. The average temperature in January (summer) is 24–30 degrees Celsius, and in July (winter), it is 5–10 degrees Celsius.
• The interior of Australia, known as “the Outback,” is extremely hot and dry, with minimal rainfall.

WILDLIFE

• Typical Australian animals include kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, and seals. These animals are unique to Australia.
• The platypus has venom strong enough to kill a small dog.
• Australia is home to 10 of the world’s 15 most venomous snakes.
• The Dingo Fence is the longest fence in the world (5,614 km), built to protect sheep flocks from dingoes.

ECONOMY

Because of the deserts, farming is difficult. Main exports include wool (Australia has more sheep than people), beef, wheat, and minerals (gold, silver, copper). The currency is the Australian dollar.

PLACES TO VISIT

• Canberra: The capital city.
• Sydney: The largest and oldest city, famous for the Sydney Opera House (whose roof resembles sails on Sydney Harbour).
• Melbourne: Known as the “garden city” for its parks and gardens.
• Great Barrier Reef: The world’s largest coral reef, stretching 2,000 km.
• Uluru (Ayers Rock): A massive sandstone rock in the desert, over 3 km long and 348 meters high.

POPULAR SPORTS

Surfing, diving, swimming, tennis, and rugby.

QUESTION TIME
Part 2

1. Describe Australia’s geography (deserts, rivers, mountains).
2. What is the climate like in Australia?
3. What is the interior of Australia called?
4. Name some unique animals found in Australia.
5. What are Australia’s main exports?
6. What is the longest fence in the world, and what was it built to protect?
7. What is the largest and oldest city in Australia, and what is its famous landmark?
8. What is Australia’s famous natural sandstone landmark?
9. What is the name of the largest coral reef in Australia?