GEOGRAPHY - AUSTRALIA

Australia is one of the oldest landmasses and the flattest of all continents. The highest mountain is only 2228 meter high.

Australia is the only country occupying a whole continent. The wonderful coastline is 36 735 km long. Australia is bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Arafura Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the west and the Southern Ocean to the south.

CLIMATE

Australia's seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere - summer starts in December, autumn in March, winter in June and spring in September.

The fact that Australia is the driest continent on earth makes it a great all-year holiday destination.

FAUNA AND FLORA

Australia's isolation for more than 55 million years has created a unique sanctuary of animals and plants found nowhere else in the world. For example the hopping kangaroo, the running emu, the large wombat and the cute koala. There are still over one-hundred marsupials in Australia.

The Tasmanian Devil, a carnivorous marsupial is a fascinating animal., The nocturnal Tassie Devil is now only found in the wild of Tasmania and he is basically a scavenger.

Whales migrate from Antarctica during winter to warmer waters of Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef along the east coast off Queensland is the longest and most complex living coral system in the world. It provides a habitat for wide range of marine animals.

Australia resident more than 750 species of birds, 300 of which are found nowhere else in the world.

STATES AND TERRITORIES

Australia is divided into six states - New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania - and two territories; the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The states and territories each have a capital city, flag, and even their own flora and fauna emblems.

Australia is also responsible for seven external territories: Norfolk Island, Cocos Island, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands Territory, the Territory of Heard Island, Coral Sea Islands Territory, the sub Antarctic McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.

ABORIGINAL CULTURE

The Aboriginals are one of the world´s oldest civilisations. They lived in isolation for thousands of years and having no written history. Aboriginal art has primarily social and religious functions. They had also rich oral traditions, lot of songs and dance styles.

SPORTS

Many people are involved in hobbies like fishing, horse riding, tennis, golf, fitness training, boating or other water sports. Most of the school children play football, cricket, tennis, hockey, netball or softball. And it is almost a compulsory for every child to learn swimming.

Australian are also enthusiastic spectators. The major winter sport is football and in summer cricket and tennis are the most seen sports.

Sydney will be the venue of the Olympic Games in the year 2000. 

PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT

Australia has more than 2000 national parks and nature reserves. There are protected areas from the desert to high mountains and rainforests. The air is clean and the water is safe to drink anywhere.

EDUCATION

The fist system of compulsory education was introduced by the State Victoria in 1872 and other states followed suit. Nowadays it is compulsory for children to attend school between the ages of five and fifteen. Even children in the Australian Outback, far from any school, have to receive school lessons through radio and do homework by correspondence. 

RELIGION

Christianity is the predominant faith but all major religions are represented.

LANGUAGE

Australia´s official language is English, but they also have an Australian accent.

I hope I could give you all a good overview about Australia.