According to one version of scientists, Australia is the oldest continent on our planet. The plant world, fauna, relief and all other natural features here began to form about 3 billion years ago. Paradoxically, people discovered these lands relatively recently, which is why the local nature still remains much more distinctive and unique than in other parts of the Earth. Well, let's find out in more detail what it is, the flora and fauna of Australia, what are its features, and much more.
Geographical position
By itself, mainland Australia is the smallest in the world. It is located in the southern hemisphere, in the eastern part of the world, washed by the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The coastline of the mainland is heavily indented by bays, in which numerous seas are formed. In the waters of the Pacific Ocean is the Tasmanovo, Coral and Arafur Seas.
In the waters of the Indian Ocean, the most famous sea is Timor. Australia is surrounded by various islands, among which there are two very large - Tasmania and New Guinea. Also adjacent to the smallest continent is the world's largest
coral reef, called the Great Barrier Reef.
Weather
The climatic zones of Australia have had a great influence on the formation of flora and fauna over the centuries. Despite its small size, the mainland is located immediately in three main areas. Here you can find areas of the equatorial climate, tropical and temperate. They are separated by transitional zones: subtropics, deserts and semi-deserts. The air temperature here is very strongly influenced by ocean currents - the dipole of the Indian Ocean and El Nino. Thanks to them, cyclones are formed with dry and gusty winds that dominate most of the territory.
Since the climatic zones of Australia are so diverse, the weather in different parts of the continent is peculiar. In the northern and northeastern parts, the tropical zone prevails. In summer, there is moderate rainfall, and in winter drought prevails. Deserts and semi-deserts stretch from the center of the mainland and closer to the west - an area of equatorial climate. The southwestern shores are continuous subtropics, and the southeastern part, including the island of Tasmania, are already temperate zones.
The main attraction of local landscapes is the desert
The deserts of Australia occupy about 45 percent of the mainland. They are located in the Northwest, in the tropical and subtropical zone. A feature of the Australian deserts is that there are brown and reddish soils. Thanks to this, all the sands have a coral hue, which is not found anywhere else in the world.
So, the main deserts of Australia are:
- Great Sand Desert. It is covered with the same red sands in which acacia and eucalyptus are occasionally found.
- Victoria Desert. The most extensive sandy zone of the mainland. The most arid climate is observed here, because plants are not found at all.
- Gibson Desert is a place covered with gravel and rubble. It differs from others in its high hills.
- The Simpson Desert. Vast territory covered with red sands. Only low-growing plants such as shrubs are found here.
- The Pinnacles. An extraordinary desert that is covered with yellow sand. On such flat terrain, peaked stones literally grow about 2 meters high.
Relief and its features
Australia is the most flat continent in the world. Over the centuries, all its rocks have literally fanned the wind, because the area consists mainly of plateaus and lowlands. Nevertheless, the mountains of Australia are now represented in the form of one ridge, which is called the Great Dividing Range. They are located in the east of the continent, and due to the fact that they are not too high, they are covered with trees, shrubs and other plants. The highest point is Mount Kosciuszko, whose height is 2228 meters.
Note, however, that these are not the only mountains of Australia. Elevations on the continent are found in all coastal zones. But they are so insignificant that geographers do not ascribe to them the status of full-fledged ridges, but classify them as hills.
Plant symbol of the country
Now, finally, consider what kind of wildlife is characterized by Australia. The plant world of these lands has its own symbol - eucalyptus. This tree is adapted to the harshest weather conditions, can live without water for a long time and carries gusty monsoons and trade winds.
The fact is that eucalyptus has a very large root system, which is most often larger than the ground part of the tree. Thus, the plant reaches underground branches to swamps, rivers and other sources from which it draws moisture. Eucalyptus plants grow in all parts of Australia, regardless of topography and weather conditions.
South and East Australia: Flora
In these areas, we find the zone of the most humid climate for this continent. It rains here throughout the year, because the soil is quite fertile and soft. In eastern Australia, bamboo thickets are most common. They form a whole jungle that stretches from the sea coast and ends at the foot of the watershed mountains. Closer to the south, bamboo gives way to the so-called bottle tree. For local residents, this plant is a real find. Its fruits are in the form of a bottle, which always contains pure water, suitable for drinking and cooking.
North flora
This region of the mainland is located, as mentioned above, in the tropics. Here is the most lush vegetation, which occupies a vast territory, and forms an impenetrable jungle. Among the trees of the North of Australia there are pandanus, acacia, mangrove and palm thickets. The lower-lying plants are ferns of various species and horsetail. The closer to the south, the more deserted the territory becomes. Landscapes of the northwest are covered with herbs and medicinal flowers only in the spring, and in the summer the earth dries up, only hills and sand dunes remain.
We meet the kangaroo - a symbol of the fauna of Australia
The flora and fauna of Australia are closely related. There are endemic trees and shrubs, and along with them there are animals that you will not meet anywhere else. The most striking representative of the Australian fauna is marsupial kangaroo. This animal is divided into 17 genera, among which more than 50 species are distinguished.
There are kangaroos with a height of no more than 25 cm - these are the tiniest. The highest reach a height of 170 cm and are considered the rarest. Kangaroo rats, kangaroo derby and many other species of these animals also live here.
All fauna lives above ground
Studying the animal world of Australia, you can make sure that almost all mammals live here either in the air or on the branches of tropical trees. On eucalyptus trunks, koalas, possums, wombats constantly climb. Unique is the Australian squirrel - it is flying, and, like a bird, flips from one branch to another. Here even foxes have wings, which look very bloodthirsty, but are actually harmless, since they feed on nectar of flowers. Much more dangerous are bats, which have a wingspan of one and a half meters and can cause enormous damage to the health of their victims.
Land inhabitants
The plain expanses that distinguish wild Australia are plowed by funny platypuses. This is the indigenous animal of this continent, which lives near ponds. Along with him, there are creeping lizards, which are harmless, and crocodiles, about which you can’t say the same. It is noteworthy that there are practically no predators on the continent. Almost the only predatory species of mammals that is found here is the wild dog Dingo.
Conclusion
Well, in short, we examined how wild Australia is. The flora, animals and reptiles, landscapes and the climate of this continent are all unique. Only in Australia can you find red deserts, which are replete with eucalyptus trees. Only here there are marsupial kangaroos, giant and tiny. Foxes and squirrels with wings are found here, unusual lizards and possums crawl. And most importantly - this world is not at all dangerous to humans.