Australia is a country that we enthusiastically read about in childhood, and as we mature, we try to find any possible ways, both imaginable and completely unbelievable, to visit this region at least once in a lifetime. Only here you can meet unprecedented animals, stand by funny trees, swim in the sea, watching the bustle of rainbow coral fish.
And what do we know about this continent, its climate, history, symbols, traditions and culture? If you look, it turns out that not so much. School geography textbooks primarily tell us that Australia is a country that can be easily found in the southeastern part of the map. It is so large that there will definitely not be recognition problems. But this, you see, is so little for a vast continent.
This article will not only acquaint readers with the most important information, it will make you love this country enough to start saving up money for your trip.
Section 1. General Description
Pick up the globe and take a closer look. As you know, Australia is a continent located in the lower part of the earth’s layout, approximately southeast of the capital of the Russian Federation. From all sides it is washed by warm waters, which favorably affects both the economic and environmental situation of the country. By the way, one cannot fail to note the fact that Australia not only protects its world, it is trying to multiply it in every possible way, creating almost unique conditions for representatives of local flora and fauna.
For several decades of its independent existence, the state, as they say, has perked up, and now plays an important role in the world. The standard of living in the region is considered one of the highest on the planet, and thanks to clean air and rivers, people here are rarely susceptible to bronchial diseases.
Section 2. Discovery of Australia
Today, based on historical facts, we can confidently say that the first people appeared on the continent 40-60 thousand years ago, that is, at a time when Tasmania and New Guinea were still part of the mainland.
The official discovery of Australia happened in 1606, when the famous navigator Willem Janszon arrived at its shores on his ship under the name "Dyfken". Then Australia got the name New Holland and for some time passed under the control of the Netherlands. In fact, the Dutch have never developed these territories.
Later, a whole string of researchers rushed to the continent. Among them, the most famous are Luis Vaes de Torres (1606), Derk Hartog (1616), Frederick de Hautman (1619), Abel Tasman (1644) and James Cook (1770. As a result of these trips, a detailed map of the country was compiled and some islands were discovered Australia
From 1788 to 1901, the continent became almost completely dependent on the British Kingdom. The Europeans formed colonies, built buildings, tried to establish production, took up the construction of a railway passing through the entire mainland. As if positive changes are evident, live and rejoice, and the indigenous population continued to die out, having sharply decreased in number. There were several main reasons. First of all, of course, this was due to various kinds of epidemics that broke out all over the continent overnight due to diseases introduced by Europeans, to which local residents, accordingly, did not have immunity.
However, in some parts of the country one could observe events that could easily fall under the category of genocide of the local population. The fact is that whites who arrived in Australia very often forcefully took the kids from the natives. At the same time, the goals were pursued very different: someone tried, in accordance with the fashion of the time, to adopt or adopt a dark-skinned child, then to take him home with him. Some, just from childhood, taught the kids all the tricks of household management, in fact, turning them into servants and depriving them of a full life.
Final independence from Great Britain Australia was only obtained in the 20th century.
Section 3. Australia Today
Today, the state is developing from year to year, maintaining and establishing both diplomatic and economic relations with all countries of the planet, nevertheless giving preference to the states of the Pacific region.
The official language of Australia is English, apparently, therefore, local residents certainly do not have communication problems at the global community level. The closest business ties are maintained with the United States, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. In addition, Australia is actively assisting developing countries.
Section 4. State Symbols of the Country
Of course, it is impossible to choose any one symbol of Australia. As in our country, there are at least three of them: the flag, coat of arms and anthem. We will try to talk about each of them in more detail.
The flag is a rectangular cloth. The dominant color is blue. Not everyone knows that in general this symbol of Australia consists of three main elements approved at the legislative level - the flag of Great Britain, the stars of the Commonwealth and the constellation of the Southern Cross.
The number of stars tells about the number of states the state is made up of. There are six of them: Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia.
The emblem of the country is a kind of shield on which the symbols of each state are alternately displayed. A little lower placed the star of the Commonwealth. The shield is supported by two animals characteristic of the continent - the ostrich emu and the kangaroo.
The national anthem of the country bears a very symbolic name - Advance Australia Fair, which, translated into our native Russian, means “Flourish, my beautiful Australia”. In 1878, this song was proposed by the famous artist Peter McCormick. He was accepted on the recommendation of the government of the country; before that, the song “God Save the Queen” was considered the official song of Australia.
Section 5. Climate and location features
Australia is the mainland, which in fact boasts the presence of a completely different climate. Here, as you know, there are nine deserts. One of the driest and largest deserts of the globe - Victoria - also belongs to this part of the world. It’s rather difficult to live here - probably, not every one of us has found ourselves in a place where precipitation in the form of rain falls from the force 10-15 times a year, and there is no snow at all. The modern person will definitely not survive here, but the tribes of local Aborigines, in particular the cogar and myrrh, consider Victoria their home.
However, the geographical characteristics of Australia does not end there. Scientists claim that there is much more snow here in the Australian Alps than at the world famous ski resorts in Switzerland. That is why in areas such as Queensland, South Wales and Victoria, winter sports have been considered among the most popular for many years.
Oceans washing Australia also contribute to the formation of the local climate, annually bringing abundant monsoons and trade winds to the coast.
Section 6. Relief and natural resources
In general, it should be noted that most of the country is occupied by deserts and various kinds of lowlands. And only in the east of the country are there mountains that, according to experts, can be considered not only low, but also dilapidated. This Hercynian folding is called the Great Dividing Range. It reaches its maximum mark in the south, towering mountain peaks such as Kosciuszko and Tausend, whose height barely exceeds 2200 meters.
The lowest point of the mainland is considered to be Lake Eyre, which several centuries ago appeared at a depth of -15 meters relative to sea level.
It is unlikely that anyone will deny the fact that its mineral resources can be considered the main wealth of the country . In principle, compared with the global average, the country is provided with them 20 times more. It occupies a leading position on the planet in terms of the number of developments. For example, Australia has the 2nd place in the extraction of bauxite and zirconium, the 1st - in uranium reserves. Today, manganese, diamonds and gold are being actively mined.
The country has its own deposits of gas and oil. Of course, they are clearly not enough to establish commercial deliveries to other parts of the world, but the state also does not need to buy them.
Section 7. Animal world of the continent
The unique nature is, of course, one of the reasons to visit the country. At first glance, it is hard to imagine that in Australia today there are about 380 different species of mammals, about 830 species of birds, more than 4000 species of fish, and scientists also identify 140 species of snakes and almost 300 species of lizards. By the way, there are many sea animals here - about 50 species.
Probably everyone heard about the Great Coral Reef . And this is not surprising, because from the school bench we remember that it is the largest building of such a plan of all built by nature on Earth. The length of the organic formation is 2,000 km, and it is located off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea.
It should be noted that 80% of these representatives of the fauna you will not find anywhere else on the planet. Although it is unlikely to be able to watch koalas, a dingo dog, kangaroo, viper, platypus, wombat and wallaby in the wild. Everyone interested is recommended to go to one of the many nature reserves, the most popular of which are the tropical park (Port Douglas), the Hillsville Nature Reserve (Victoria) and the Cleland Wildlife Park (South Australia).
Section 8. Animals of the continent and global problems
Of course, Australia’s marsupials are of the most interest to visitors. Why? The thing is that representatives of this species of living beings are found only on this continent, and therefore each of them can be considered unique.
However, despite all the efforts made by the government and relevant organizations, their number still continues to decline dramatically from year to year. First of all, the human factor is to blame. As a result of deforestation, the natural habitat is lost, many animals die under the wheels of cars or are attacked by domestic dogs.
But there are situations when specialists cannot precisely establish the cause of the death of unique animals. For example, koalas are susceptible to a rare disease, chlamydia, and at this stage, scientists have no choice but to vaccinate each individual animal. For this, hundreds of volunteer teams are sent to forests twice a year.
Australia grows huge quantities of poppy, the cultivation of which has been gaining more and more momentum recently. Of course, this type of business has a beneficial effect on the economy, but at the same time it inflicts a significant blow on the animal kingdom. The fact is that some representatives of the local fauna literally love to enjoy poppy fruits, and, in the end, fall into their complete dependence, becoming the so-called drug addicts in animal guise. To date, a decision has been made throughout the country to protect such land from penetration by kangaroos and other specimens.
The construction of hospitals for wild animals is also gaining momentum. Now, if necessary, you can call a special toll-free phone number to inform specialists about a sick or injured creature. Assistance to the poor fellow will be provided almost immediately. These clinics, both conventional and mobile, are financed from the state treasury. And since Australia's official language is English, there is almost never a problem with finding sponsors and patrons from all over the globe.
Section 9. Flora of the southern continent
The continent itself, as well as the islands of Australia, has a rather unusual flora. Today, there are almost more than 27,000 species of flora representatives, including several fossil plants, the most interesting specimens of which are Desert sweet pea Sterta, telopea, Banksia and kangaroo paws.
Travelers are most often surprised by the local acacia, popularly called Australian mimosa, eucalyptus, cypress pine trees, tea trees and mangroves.
However, perhaps the most unusual plant can be called a duckbill orchid. To a person, the flowers of this amazing representative of a class of plants resemble a small and very funny duck. But the male sawfly sees a female in them, which means it immediately flies towards a mysterious stranger. As a result, it appears inside a plant with sticky stems and flower bases. While the poor insect is trying to free itself from the tenacious embrace of a platypus orchid, it, in turn, abundantly showers it with pollen. Once free, the male flies to the next plant, pollinating it, and thereby contributing to further spread.
Section 10. The capital of Australia - the most unusual on the planet
Only the most, as they say, geographically savvy people can immediately answer that the main city of the country is not Sydney and not Melbourne, as is commonly believed, but a modest Canberra. Why so?
The explanation sounds quite simple: tolerant Australians could not give the palm of one of the two largest cities of the country for so long that in the end it was decided to transfer it to a third party. Canberra was chosen quite by accident, turning out to be a settlement located approximately in the middle between both megacities.
Section 10. The main cities of the country
Australia ... A brief description of this country is unlikely to succeed, and its settlements and even more so. One thing can be said with confidence - each of them can be considered a unique corner of our planet.
Sydney is a place in which culture is closely and already, perhaps, inextricably intertwined with art and natural monuments. The hallmark of the city, as in principle, and of the whole country as a whole, is the Sydney embankment, walking along which both local residents and numerous tourists can enjoy views of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge.
Melbourne is famous for its abundance of shops, souvenir shops, cozy cafes and restaurants. And here you can taste the delicacies prepared by cooks from almost any corner of the globe.
In Brisbane, first of all, you should go to all lovers of wildlife, in particular zoos. This seems to be why there are so many travelers with children.
Adelaide is a resort village, from all over the world attracting vacationers of lovers of snow-white beaches, azure sea surface and gentle sun.
Section 11. Unusual facts about Australia
- Australia is the country with the longest fence in the world. It was built in order to protect fertile lands from potential pests, wild dingo dogs. The length of the structure is a whopping 5614 kilometers. Such a fence cost the country’s budget, of course, as they say, a pretty penny, but that was the only way to protect the cattle grown here from predators.
- Have you ever come across a map of Australia? If so, then you probably noticed how vast this continent is. Nevertheless, the country's government is trying to do everything possible, and sometimes impossible, so that the locals here are comfortable and safe. It was for this that they decided to create a service for the so-called Flying Doctors. Now, if necessary, specialists can come to the rescue even in the most remote corners of the mainland.
- People of Australia very often choose farming as their main occupation. And this is not surprising, because on the continent today is the largest pasture on the planet, which daily grazes about 100 million sheep and 16,000 cattle.
- Many years ago, Australia became the detention center for 160,000 people from the UK. The discovery of Australia took place, and almost immediately, ships loaded with convicts reached here. Not everyone managed to get to the mainland, many died along the way, without ever waiting for land on the horizon. In principle, today about 25% of local residents may well believe that their ancestors were convicted.
- Australia is the country that owns the largest part of Antarctica, which was transferred to it under Great Britain almost 100 years ago, in 1933. This area is 5.6 million km 2 .
- It turns out that the famous kangaroos live not only in Australia. They can be found in the wild of Scotland. Where did they come from? The thing is that their ancestors were once brought to Europe as specimens for private zoos, banning which, the government practically threw exotic animals into the street. Agree, it is unlikely that someone would hire a vehicle to return the kangaroo to their native land. It turns out that most of them were simply released into the wild.