What is the official name of the state of Australia today. Australia: form of government, description, history and interesting facts

(from lat. Terra Australis - “ southern land"), also referred to as Australian Union, is a unique country, because it covers a whole continent, and in terms of its territory it ranks sixth among the countries of the world. Trip to Australia today it is an unforgettable gift that gives you the opportunity to see with your own eyes the uniqueness of the smallest of the earth's continents. Let yourself enjoy the unique natural beauties and unique flora and fauna australia.

Australia - " southern land«

1. Capital

Canberra- an original city, not like the capitals of other major cities in the world. This is a meticulously planned green garden city, in whose parks and squares trees from around the world were planted, and brightly flowering shrubs grow along highways and roads - each district of the city is characterized by its own look. The architecture is dominated by one-, two-story cottages with delightful lawns and flower beds.

Canberra was founded as a compromise, in the "battles" between the two cultural and economic centers of the country, Sydney and Melbourne, for the title Australian capitals. Canberra- the city of order, it was originally created according to a certain scheme, and today it amazes everyone with its thoughtful and accurate layout.

To the sights cities belong Australian a military museum, an artificial lake in the center with a 70-meter fountain called "Captain Cook" and, of course, the former London Waterloo Bridge thrown over the lake, which the Australians bought from England.

Canberra- the largest scientific and cultural center of the country. Here are the Australian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Humanities, the Institute of Aboriginal Studies and the National Library. There are few industrial enterprises in the city, thanks to this, Canberra is considered a quiet city.

2. Flag

The flag of Australia shows:

• Blue background
• Six white stars - 5 on the right side and 1 large under the British flag
• British flag in the upper left corner

The meaning and history of the flag of Australia:

Blue color on the flag means: fidelity, honesty, kindness, perfection, constancy, chastity and simplicity of heart. The British is outlined in the upper left quarter. flag, because the UK represented Australian Union. six white stars on the flag: five stars in the form of the constellation of the Southern Cross on the right side of the canvas and one large star under the British flag, six rays represent 6 states australia, and the seventh ray is the outer territories.

The flag was born in 1901 as a result of a competition in which approximately 30,000 proposals were submitted. After approval flag small changes were made to the shape, size and location of the stars.

3. Coat of arms

Above the shield is a golden-azure burlet, on which stands a golden seven-pointed star. This is " friendship star"means a close relationship between the first regions, which founded the federation in 1901, and the remaining territories that later joined. Animals stand on a footboard, which is entwined with flowering branches of golden mimosa. Down below coat of arms ends with a ribbon with the inscription Australia.

Kangaroo and emu who hold a shield are folk symbols green continent because they are the true owners of the places there. There is a myth that these animals were chosen because they do not know how to go back, but only straight ahead, therefore they symbolize forward movement, development. All the details of the coat of arms are the history of the development of the colony.

On the shield in the first share, a red cross with a golden lion, golden stars complete the cross - this coat of arms state of New South Wales. The heavenly bodies are reminiscent of the Southern Cross and speak of navigators wandering the stars. In the second part, on a blue background, there are four large eight-pointed stars and a small five-pointed one, they are located under the depicted crown of Great Britain and are the symbols of the state of Victoria. The same drawing was on the flag league, which led the fight against the exile of prisoners to the fifth continent.

The third field is occupied by an azure Maltese cross, overlaid with the British royal crown. In the fourth sector on a golden bottom, a bird with open black wings, it has a white body, head and tail. Emblem South Australia is a bird that is difficult to identify with a real bird. Apparently, this is a whistling crow that lives in these parts. In the fifth part - on a golden aphid, a floating black swan. Emblem Western Australia arose when the settlers, having settled here, saw a large number of black swans that were unnatural for them. In the sixth field - a red moving lion. Coat of arms of Tasmania, similar to the English lion, this symbolizes the connection with the UK.

4. Hymn

listen to the Australian anthem

watch and listen to the Australian anthem

5. Currency

Monetary unit of Australia – Australian dollar(AUD, code 36, currency sign: A$). Australian dollar — currency of the australian union, including the Christmas Islands, Cocos and Norfolk Islands, as well as the independent Pacific nations of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu. Usually abbreviated with a dollar sign ($) , however, you can also find such notation options: A$, $A, AU$ and $AU.

Australian dollar is the sixth most traded currency in the world (after the US dollar, euro, yen, pound sterling and Swiss franc), accounting for 5% of world foreign exchange transactions. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 5.10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents; 1 and 2 dollars.

Well Australian dollar to ruble or any other currency can be viewed on the currency converter

Australian dollar has this appearance:

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Australian dollar coins

Australian currency. Australian dollar banknotes

6. 10 Largest cities in Australia:

• (capital)

7. Geography

The area of ​​Australia is 7,686,850 km²

Geography of Australia is very unique, only because the borders of the state exactly coincide with the borders of the Australian mainland. Australian border It's completely oceanfront. Australia has no borders with any country in the world, and amazing beaches are washed by the Indian Ocean in the south and west and the Pacific Ocean in the east. Australia is the smallest continent, with an area of ​​approximately 7 thousand kilometers and a coastal zone of 37 thousand kilometers.

The state includes such islands as New Guinea, as well as Tasmania. Part australia includes six states: Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, as well as two mainland-type territories: Northern and Federal capitals.

Relief of Australia rather flat and monotonous. The central part of the mainland is occupied by the Central Plain, and in the west of the mainland there is the Western Australian Plateau, whose height is 400-500 m, in the east - the Great Dividing Range, which owns the highest point of the mainland - Kosciuszko (2230 m). There are no large rivers in Australia. The largest river of the Murray mainland with a large tributary Darling, which flows into the Great Australian Gulf and belongs to the Indian Ocean basin.

8. How to get to Australia?

9. Things to look out for

Choosing the best, it will be hard to limit yourself to an insignificant list, stop at modern urban architecture, museums and theaters, stunning natural parks and historical sites. And also to attractions in australia you can include not only places and buildings, but also events: visit the country during the holidays and become a participant in large-scale festivals.

10. What's the weather like here?

Climatic zones(zones) australia are formed from:

• subequatorial climate
• tropical (wet, dry, desert) climate
• subtropical (Mediterranean, continental and humid) climate
• temperate climate in Tasmania

Due to its considerable size and unique geographical position, the country has wide climatic conditions - from subequatorial regions in the north to temperate maritime in the south.

In the north, in the subequatorial zone, it is hot throughout the year - the average air temperature is + 23-28 C. In the tropical zone, the temperature is a little lower, but even here the jumps in seasons are small. In the central regions, there are strong temperature fluctuations depending on the time of day - during the day + 45-50 C, at night - often below zero. Within the subtropical zone, annual temperature fluctuations are more noticeable. In Sydney, say, the average monthly temperature ranges from +11 to +23 C.

Tasmania - if I may say so, the "coldest" zone of the country with a temperate climate, however, in this place with a head of places that are suitable for recreation. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of a vacation spot, taking into account the climatic features of the country.

The hottest time of the year is from November to January, at this time throughout the country the temperature ranges from +20 C to +32 C, and in the central regions it can reach up to +38-42 C. However, after 1.5- 2 hours after sunset, the temperature can drop by 10-12 C. On the Pacific coast and the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, the weather is milder at this time. Relatively cold in June - August, the temperature rises no higher than + 15-18 C, and in the temperate zone sometimes drops to 0 C. It rains almost at any time of the year, but the wettest months are summer.

11. Population

Makes up - 24,464,313 people and concentrated mainly in urban areas. Australia is the 50th most populous country in the world. Population concentrated mainly in urban areas.

Over 80% Australian population- these are the descendants of British settlers - the British, Scots, Irish, who formed the Anglo-Australian nation. The rest of the population, in particular, are immigrants from others (Italy, Greece, the Netherlands), mestizos and aborigines - approximately 250 thousand people (in 1992).

Most of the country's population are immigrants. In Australia every fourth person was born not on the mainland, but outside it. After the end of World War II, an immigration program was carried out at this place, as a result of which the country's population began to grow rapidly from 7.6 million people (in 1947) to 15.5 million in 1984.

What should you wear?

What clothes must be taken with you when traveling to Australia? Exceptionally summer clothes (T-shirt, shorts, sundresses, shirt, light dress) sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. Just in case, take a warm jacket if you are planning night walks.

12. And what about eating?

One of the most diverse and colorful in the world. Emigrants and settlers from various countries brought here their national cuisines. Thanks to this, Australian cuisine has absorbed the traditions of English, Irish, Chinese, Malay, Japanese and many other cuisines of the world. Australia filled with exotic plants and animals that are not found in Europe, America, or Asia.

Australia is a gourmet paradise. Exclusively on this mainland you can taste delicacies national cuisine of australia that you won't find anywhere else in the world. In particular, shark lips, kangaroo meat, all kinds of meat dishes from the ostrich Emu, crocodile, opossum, as well as salads from bugs and larvae. Local plants, vegetables and fruits are very popular with tourists, such as: cockatoo plum, Australian acacia seeds, riberrise, wild roselle, pepper leaves. As well as a feature of Australian cuisine are all kinds of seafood: scallops, octopuses, crabs, mussels, oysters.

Shopping in Australia. Almost every district of the city has its own “Westfield” - a colossal hypermarket - a whole city of shops that lives its own carefree life - with contests, drawings and presentations, performances for children and entertainment. Stores in major cities can literally offer you everything you can think of, from the essentials to the most luxurious items. Australia simply amazes with the range and prices of many goods.

14. Rules of exemplary behavior

Features of behavior in Australia. The country has left-hand traffic. There are restrictions on the sale of alcohol - only from Monday to Saturday from 17.00 to midnight (time may vary in each state), and only to persons who are 18 years old. Smoking is prohibited in public places, government buildings, public transport and domestic flights. Smoking restrictions are also often introduced in cafes and restaurants.

15. Holidays Australia

• December 24 - December 25 - CHRISTMAS - Christmas
• December 26 - BOXING DAY - Boxing Day
• December 31 - January 1 - NEW YEAR - New Year
• January 26 - AUSTRALIA DAY - Australia Day
• February 14 - Valentine's Day (Valentine's Day) Source
• April 25 - ANZAC DAY - Day Australian Army
• June 1 - Foundation Day australia
• June 8 - Day queen's birth australia

16. Flora and Fauna

The unique climatic conditions and location of Australia determined the originality of its flora and fauna. vegetable symbol of australia consider eucalyptus. The giant tree has mighty roots that go down to 20 or even 30 meters into the ground!

The eastern coast of the continent, washed by the Pacific Ocean, is buried in thickets of bamboo. Toward the south you can find bottle trees, the fruits of which resemble the shape of a bottle. Aborigines extract their rainwater from them. In the north australia dense, juicy subtropical forests grow.

fauna of australia extremely rich and varied. One of the features of the animal world is a huge number that are not found anywhere else on the planet. This, of course, kangaroos and koalas, which are recognized as symbols of the southern continent. Only the kangaroo has 17 genera and more than 50 species. And there are also wonderful platypuses, fearless flying squirrels fluttering from tree to tree, echidnas, funny frilled lizards that can walk on two legs. Wombats and possums live in the Australian forests, their value is their fur.

The state of Australia is located on the mainland of the same name and some nearby islands, the largest of which is Tasmania. The area of ​​Australia is 7,682,300 square kilometers. The land at the same time occupies 7,617,930 square meters. km. The coastline stretches for more than twenty-five thousand kilometers.

The area of ​​Australia in the central part of the mainland is occupied by a vast zone of lowlands, most of which is the basins of Lake Eyre and the Murray River. In addition, the Nullabor Plain is located there. The western territories are famous for the Great Western Plateau - the area of ​​​​the four huge Simpson, the Great Sandy and the Great Victoria Desert.

Features of Australia are such that there is little fresh water in the country. Most of the rivers are located in the eastern part of the mainland, among them Darling, Murray and others. The water arteries located in the center and in the west dry up in summer.

The water in most lakes is salty. Air is no exception, and the largest of them is Air. It is located twelve meters below sea level.

Population

In terms of area, mainland Australia occupies more than seven and a half million square kilometers. Its territory is inhabited by 23,625,130 people (data as of July 2014). For the most part, these are Europeans - 95%, the remaining 5% are Asians and Aborigines (4% and 1%, respectively). The official language is English.

It is known for certain that ancient people occupied a certain area of ​​Australia forty thousand years ago. They are believed to have come from Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian Islands.

The first inhabitants were mainly engaged in hunting and gathering. Representatives of many subsequent generations began to actively settle on the mainland and nearby islands, developing new territories. Despite the rather primitive technical skills based on the use of stone, wood and bone, social and spiritual life was already at a high level. Thus, the majority spoke several languages, and sometimes even territorially remote tribal groups organized confederations.

At present, the area of ​​Australia has been developed to the fullest extent possible. There are no so-called white spots on the continent. However, 89% of the country's inhabitants are city dwellers. That is why Australia is considered one of the most urbanized countries in the world. Average life expectancy for 2005-2010 was 81.6 years. This is an impressive figure.

Religion

There is no official religion in the country. Most of the locals are Christians. As of 2006, 25.8% of citizens are adherents of the Catholic faith. Another major denomination is Anglicanism (18.7% of the population). In addition, Presbyterians, Adventists, Pentecostals, Methodists and Salvation Army followers, Buddhists, Islamists and Jews live in the country.

About one and a half million people attend church services weekly. Various Christian charitable organizations and hospitals play an important role in public life. The Catholic school system is also very developed. About six and a half million children study in such educational institutions. The Anglican Church is engaged in the education of about a hundred thousand little citizens. There are 48 schools in the United Church network.

Weather

Causes significant differences in climate in different parts of the country. Thus, the subequatorial climate prevails in the northern territories, while the equatorial climate prevails in the central and southern territories. Consider the weather features of Australia. The average annual temperature in the northern part of the country ranges from 23-28 degrees Celsius. The maximum amount of precipitation (up to one and a half thousand millimeters) falls on the summer period. In winter, dry cold winds blow, leading to droughts. As for the coastal plains and high slopes, they are quite humid and have a mild warm climate. The temperature of the warmest month in Sydney is about twenty-five degrees Celsius, and the coldest is about fifteen degrees with a plus sign.

In the central and western regions of the mainland, the climate is desert tropical. In summer (December to February), the thermometer is mostly at around thirty degrees or slightly lower, and in winter it drops by ten to fifteen points. In the central part of the mainland, summer is even hotter - up to forty-five Celsius. At the same time, the temperature can drop to zero degrees at night. There is little precipitation in this part of the country - two hundred to three hundred millimeters a year.

The climate in the southwestern territories is similar to the Mediterranean Spanish and French. As a rule, summers are hot and dry here, while winters are wet and warm. The temperature fluctuates slightly throughout the year.

Flora

The geographical position of Australia and the climate of the country led to the spread of dry-loving plants - special cereals, umbrella acacias, eucalyptus and bottle trees. It is noteworthy that out of 12 thousand species of local flora, 9 thousand are endemic, that is, they can be found only on the mainland in question.

The rainforests of the northern part of the country include eucalyptus, palm, ficus and bamboo thickets. In the southern zone of the savannas, groups of eucalyptus and umbrella acacias are often found. A dense grass cover spreads along the ground. The eastern part of the country is dominated by subtropical evergreen forests with a large number of tree-like horsetails, eucalyptus and tall ferns with twenty-meter stems.

Fauna

The fauna of the country is rightfully considered unique. And all because 9/10 of all animal species are found only on the amazing mainland called Australia. Kangaroos, frilled lizards, koalas and platypuses live only on this mainland. Among the animals, most of all are marsupials (at least one hundred and twenty species). There are many bats and mouse-like rodents in the country. In addition, egg-laying mammals, the so-called living fossils - echidna and platypus live here.

As for ungulates, monkeys and representatives of predatory orders, they are not on the mainland. But Australia is famous for its large number of birds - emus, cassowaries, cockatoos, crowned pigeons, honey birds, black swans, birds of paradise and lyrebirds. The most unusual reptiles are lizards and asalid snakes. An amazing inhabitant of the South Australian rivers - the horntooth is a lungfish with one lung.

The structure of the state. Political parties

Australia is a federal parliamentary state, the full name is the Commonwealth of Australia. The federation is formed by six states - Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South and Western Australia, New South Wales. In addition, under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth are the islands of Ashmore and Cartier, McDonald and Heard, about. Christmas, Cocos and Coral Sea Islands.

The capital is Canberra. On January 1, 1901, the country gained independence, at the same time it remains a member of the British Commonwealth to this day. Legislation is based on the common law of England. Australia Day, which is a national holiday, is celebrated on the twenty-sixth of January.

Executive power is vested in the British monarch, the governor general and the prime minister, who heads the Cabinet of Ministers. Parliament is formed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Among the political parties that have the greatest weight in the state, there are the Australian Democrats, the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia.

Economy, transport

The state has a highly developed economy. According to this indicator, it is comparable with the countries of Western Europe. Among the most important industries are mining, steel, chemical, food and automotive. About five percent of GNP provides income from agricultural activities. The main crops are barley and wheat, fruits and Nowhere in the world are so many sheep bred as in Australia. In addition, the production of poultry and cattle is widespread in the country.

The monetary unit is the Australian dollar. Among the main trading partners are the USA, New Zealand, Great Britain and Japan. The world's largest supplier of wheat, wool and beef, the second largest exporter of mutton is Australia. The area of ​​the mainland is used to the maximum in order to ensure the effective economic development of the country and a high level of people's well-being.

natural reserves

Australia's water resources cannot be called rich. The mainland in question is the driest on the planet. There are few large rivers on the continent. What is so special about Australia in this respect? The Murray River is the country's main waterway. Its largest tributaries are the Goulburn, the Darling and the Murrumbidgee. They are characterized by the greatest fullness during the period of snow melting in the mountains, but in hot weather there is a significant shallowing. Dams have been built on almost all tributaries of the river. Murray, reservoirs are organized near them, used to irrigate gardens, pastures and fields.

Lakes cannot be called serious water resources of the country, because they are mostly silty, shallow and salty, but some amazing reservoirs attract travelers. For example, Hiller is a bright pink lake located on Middle Island. The unusual color of the water in it never changes. Scientists have not yet found an explanation for this mystery. Of no less interest is the luminous lake Gippsland, in the state of Victoria. In 2008, the highest concentration of microorganisms Noctiluca scintillans (night-flowers) was recorded there. This rare phenomenon was observed not only by local residents, but also by photographer Phil Hart. The man had to constantly throw stones into the water in order to capture the luminous expanse of water, since unusual microorganisms react by glowing precisely to external stimuli.

The area of ​​​​Australia is only two percent occupied by forests - these resources are also scarce in the country. However, they are the ones that attract many travelers due to their unusual appearance. Such humid tropical forests as along the shores of the Coral Sea cannot be found anywhere else.

The main natural wealth of the country is, of course, mineral resources. The country has the largest reserves of zirconium and bauxite in the world. In addition, it is in second place in the production of uranium and coal. Platinum deposits have been discovered in Tasmania. Australia (on the map it is the southwest of the mainland) is rich in gold. Diamonds, bismuth, antimony and nickel are mined in New South Wales.

How it all started

On the mainland, the ancestors of the Australian Aborigines first settled about forty thousand years ago. Because Australia is geographically isolated from the rest of the world, the indigenous people had unique religious and cultural traditions. The continent was discovered by Europeans only at the dawn of the 17th century. The first was the Dutchman Janszon. In 1605 he landed in the Gulf of Carpentaria (northern coast). Due to the territorial remoteness, the colonization of Australia began only in 1770. Then James Cook took possession of the bay on behalf of the king. Subsequently, the city of Sydney appeared near this place.

Until 1840, Australia on the world map was not a full-fledged state, but only a place of exile for subjects of the British monarch who were sentenced to hard labor. In 1850, the local colonies became relatively independent of the English crown, and eleven years later they formed the independent Commonwealth of Australia. The country began to develop according to its own scenario. Nevertheless, the history of Australia has long been associated with England. Thus, the state provided substantial assistance to Britain during the First and Second World Wars.

Time in Australia

The continent in question is located in three time zones. During the summer time in Brisbane and Sydney ahead of Moscow by six hours, and in Perth - by four. Local time in Australia also varies from state to state.

Many vacationers are attracted by the east coast of the country. The most popular resort is the Golden Coast with amazing beaches and almost ideal conditions for surfing. Fans of cultural recreation will not be bored either. So, in the capital you can visit the Nicholson Museum of Antiquity, the Museum of Australia and the National Maritime Museum. Melbourne is famous for the National Gallery of Victoria, the famous National Herbarium and the Royal Botanic Gardens are also located here. What other sights are worth seeing?

Let's finish the story with a description of the Sydney Aquarium. Like many things in Australia, it is unique. There are no such huge complexes in the world anymore: even a simple viewing without stopping at numerous exhibits will take at least three and a half hours. The exposition is divided into zones on a geographical basis - the Great Barrier Reef, the Southern and Northern rivers, the Southern Oceans. It is impossible not to notice the entrance to the aquarium, since it is located in the bottomless mouth of an impromptu shark.

AUSTRALIA

Australia

1) Australian Union, state. Name Australia (Australia) by location on mainland Australia, where over 99% of the territory of the state is located. From XVIII in. British possession. Currently a federation of the Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) composed of six states and two territories. Included in the Commonwealth.

2) mainland in South. hemisphere, part of the world. The name of the mainland is due to the fact that in ancient times geographers were convinced that there was a South. hemispheres of a hypothetical land, which was inscribed on the maps as Terra Incognita - "unknown land", Terra Australis Incognita - "unknown southern land" or Terra Australis - "southern land". In search of this mainland goll. navigators discovered the territory modern Australia, called New Holland. As a result of the second voyage of J. Cook in 1772-1775 gg. South the mainland in the middle latitudes was not discovered and, as Cook believed, if it exists, then only in the highest latitudes. Therefore, the name Terra Australis, which has already become familiar on the maps, turned out to be free. This was taken advantage of by the English navigator and hydrographer Flinders, who in 1814 G. proposed to call New Holland Terra-Australis or Australia. Already after 10 years the name Australia (Australia) completely replaced the old name New Holland from the maps. Cm. also Oceania.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 .

AUSTRALIA

smallest continent. The area is 7.6 million km2. Entirely located in the south. hemisphere, isolated. It is washed by the Pacific (Tasman and Coral Seas) and the Indian Oceans (Arafura and Timor Seas). Large islands: Tasmania and New Guinea, along the north-east. Coast for 2300 km stretches the Great Barrier Reef. The coastline is slightly indented. Large bays - Carpentaria in the north and the Great Australian - in the south. the large peninsulas - Cape York and Arnhemland - are located in the north. Geological structure and relief. At the base of A. is an ancient platform. Us." 3. and in the central part, the crystalline base comes to the surface, in the rest of the territory it is covered by a cover of sedimentary rocks. On the east is the mountainous region of the Great Dividing Range (Hercynian folding) with the Australian Alps. A. is the flattest continent. Ore minerals are confined to crystalline shields, deposits of oil, gas, phosphorites, coal - to sedimentary rocks. Climate. The driest continent, insufficient moisture and high levels of solar radiation. Four climatic zones. Subequatorial - variable-humid monsoon climate with humid hot summers and dry winters. There are two types of climate in the tropical zone - humid tropical and dry. The first one is to the east. coast and slopes of the Dividing Range. The second in the center of the mainland. There are three regions in the subtropical zone: humid subtropical (to the southeast); subtropical continental (along the Great Australian Bight); subtropical Mediterranean (to the south-west). Tasmania is located in the temperate zone, dominated by western transport with high rainfall, cool summers and mild winters. Inland waters are poor. 60% of the territory has no flow into the ocean. The Pacific Ocean basin includes small rivers flowing from the Great Dividing Range, full of water all year round, some are navigable. The largest river is the Murray with a tributary Darling, rain floods are typical, the Darling dries up during the dry season. most lakes. has no runoff and is saline. The largest Air. natural areas. Isolation from other continents had a great influence, a large number of endemics (eucalyptus and marsupials). Humid and variable-moist tropical forests are located in the north-east. mainland. Palm trees, laurels, tree ferns, ficuses grow on red ferrallitic soils. Along the coast are mangroves. Among the animals - tree marsupials, possums, couscous, echidnas, birds of paradise, cassowaries, in the rivers - crocodiles. In the forests of the Great Dividing Range, eucalyptus trees predominate in the tree layer, in the south. parts - beech. Above 1000 m in the Australian Alps, mountain forests with altitudinal zonality. Summer-dry hard-leaved forests of the Mediterranean type are represented in the southeast. and south-hall, parts. They are the most valuable in economic terms (eucalyptus trees reach? 70 m). Towards the inner regions, the forests become lighter, gradually turning into light forests and savannahs. Kangaroos, emus, koalas, platypuses, cockatoos, budgerigars live here. Kangaroos in the savannas of Australia play the same role as ungulates in Africa. The interior districts are vast deserts and semi-deserts with desert soils. Thickets of thorny bushes (scrubs) are characteristic. There are no areas without vegetation cover. There are no large predators. Flora and fauna have been significantly altered by man. main population. Descendants of immigrants from the British Isles (about 16 million people) and natives with features of the equatorial and Mongoloid races (about 150 thousand people). The official language is English, the most common religion is Christianity. The mainland is entirely occupied by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Brief geographical dictionary. EdwART. 2008 .

Australia

(Australia), the smallest of the continents, is located in the South. hemisphere, part of the world. The name goes back to ancient times, when it was believed that in Yuzh. Hemisphere there is an unknown southern land - Terra Australis Incognita. The mainland was originally called New Holland. The English hydrographer Flinders proposed in 1814 to rename it A. In the west, south, and north, the mainland is washed by the Indian Ocean and its seas; in the east, by the Tasman and Coral Seas of the Pacific Ocean. Extreme points of the mainland: in the north - cape York , 10°41′ S; in the south, Cape Yugo-Vostochny, 39°11′ S; to the west - cape Steep Point , 113°05′ E; to the east - Cape Byron, 153°34′ E The shores are poorly dissected, large bays: Carpentaria in the north and Bol. Australian in the south. In the north there are two large peninsulas: Arnhemland and Cape York Tasmania , Kangaroo, Melville etc.) 7704.5 thousand km². The length of A. from north to south is 3200 km, from west to east 4100 km. Along the east coastline stretches for 2300 km Bol. barrier reef .
The basis of the mainland is the ancient Australian platform, which is bordered in the east by the Australian folded belt. Avg. the height of the mainland is 215 m, plains prevail, up to 95% of the territory is located below 600 m above sea level. (the lowest continent). In the west of the mainland lies a plateau 400–500 m high with isolated mountain ranges; hours - nism. with intermittent lakes and salt marshes. On V. passes Bol. Dividing Range . The highest point of Kosciuszko (2230 m) is located in the Australian Alps. Large deposits of stones. and brown coal, iron., copper, polymetallic, titanium and uranium ores, bauxite, gold, oil and nature. gas.
B. h. A. lies in the tropics, S. - in equatorial latitudes, Yu. - in subtropical latitudes. OK. 2/3 of the territory (in the central part of the mainland) has a desert and semi-desert climate. Vost. The coast has a maritime climate, with maximum rainfall in the summer. Avg. temperature in January from 20 to 30 °С, in July from 12 to 20 °С. Precipitation decreases from east to west from 1,500 to 250 mm per year or less. Major rivers: Murray with inflow darling , flinders . A. is characterized by the so-called. Creeks are rivers that fill with water only after heavy rains. Up to 60% of the territory has no flow into the ocean. More than 30 large artesian basses are known. total square. OK. 4800 thousand km², they play an important role in water supply. Int. the expanses of the continent are occupied by deserts: Bol. Sandy, Gibson, Bol. desert victoria . Around them stretches a belt of semi-deserts with thickets of eucalyptus and acacia. To S., E. and SE. deserts turn into savannahs, forests (eucalyptus, palm trees and tree ferns) grow along the coasts and in the mountains. There are no ungulates, primates, or predatory animals in Azerbaijan, but there are many feral dogs, pigs, and rabbits brought in by settlers. Among the endemic species there are many marsupials: kangaroos, marsupial moles, wombats, etc. Only here are egg-laying mammals: platypus and echidna. Of the birds are characteristic: emu ostriches, cassowaries, cockatoo parrots, etc. Among the nat. parks and reserves: Mount Buffalo , Kosciuszko, Wilsons-Promontory, and others. Throughout the territory of A. and about. tasmania located state Australian Union .

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of Acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

Australia

the smallest of the continents, located in the Southern Hemisphere; one of the six parts of the world (usually combined with Oceania). The name Australia originated in ancient times. Even then, among geographers, there was a conviction that there was a presence in the South. hemisphere Terra Australis Incognita - unknown south. earth. In the process of searching for a hypothetical continent, Ter. modern Australia, originally called New Holland. Held in 1772–75 second circumnavigation of J. cook did not confirm the existence of the alleged south. land, and the name Australia remained free. This was taken advantage of by the English hydrographer Flinders, who in 1814 proposed to rename New Holland into Australia, and 10 years later this name was already on all geographical maps.
In the west and south, Australia is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the north by the Arafura and Timor Seas of the Indian Ocean, and in the east by the Tasman and Coral Seas of the Pacific Ocean. The extreme points of the mainland: in the north - Cape York, 10 ° 41 S. sh.; in the south - Cape Yugo-Vostochny, 39°11 S sh.; to the west - Cape Steep Point, 113°05 E d.; on the east - Cape Byron, 153 ° 34 in. The shores are poorly dissected, large bays: Carpentaria in the north and the Great Australian in the south. In the north there are two large peninsulas: Arnhemland and Cape York. Pl. mainland 7631.5 thousand km², with adjacent islands (Tasmania, Kangaroo, Melville, etc.) 7704.5 thousand km². The length of Australia from north to south is 3200 km, from west to east 4100 km. Along the east Coast for 2300 km stretches the Great Barrier Reef.
The basis of the mainland is the ancient Australian platform, which passes into the East Australian fold belt. Wed high over at m - 215 m, plains prevail, up to 95% of the surface lies below 600 m. Highest point - Mt. Kosciuszko(2228 m) is located in Australian Alps. On the west of the mainland lies a high plateau. 400–500 m with ridges and mesas, cf. parts - lowland from the lake. Air in the center. Australia has deposits of hard and brown coal, iron ore, copper, bauxite, polymetallic, titanium and uranium ores, gold, diamonds (see. Australian diamond province), oil and natural gas.
Most of Australia lies in the tropics, S. in equatorial latitudes, and South in subtropical latitudes. On 2/3 ter. (in the central part of the mainland) desert and semi-desert climate. In the north, the climate is equatorial, monsoonal, hot, with summer rains; to the southwest - subtropical, with prevailing precipitation in winter. Vost. The coast is characterized by a hot tropical maritime climate with maximum rainfall in the summer. Wed the temperature in January is from 20 to 30 ° C, in July - from 12 to 20 ° C. Precipitation decreases from east to west (from 1,500 to 250 mm per year or less). Major rivers: Murray with tributary Darling, Flinders. Australia is characterized by the so-called. Creeks are rivers that fill with water only after heavy rains. Up to 60% ter. is the area of ​​internal flow. More than 30 large artesian basses are known on the Australian mainland. total square. OK. 4800 thousand km², which play an important role in water supply.
The Great Sandy Desert, the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert, and others extend over the vast interior spaces of the continent. There are many salt lakes here. Around the deserts - a belt of semi-deserts with thickets of thorny bushes of acacia and eucalyptus. To S., V. and Yu.-V. deserts turn into savannahs; forests of eucalyptus, palm trees and tree ferns grow along the coasts and in the mountains. There are no ungulates, primates and predatory animals in Australia, but there are many feral dogs, pigs and rabbits that were once brought here by settlers. There are many marsupials among endemic species: kangaroo, marsupial mole, marsupial wolf, wombats, etc. Only in Australia are egg-laying mammals: platypus and echidna. Of the birds are characteristic: emu, cassowaries, cockatoo parrots, etc. Among the nat. parks and reserves: Mount Buffalo, Kosciuszko, Wilsons Promortory, etc.
On the whole ter. Australia together with Fr. Tasmania is located in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Under the editorship of prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .

Australia

Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN UNION
A state on the mainland of Australia, which, together with the nearby island of Tasmania, forms the Commonwealth of Australia. The continent in the north is washed by the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea and the Torres Strait; in the east by the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea; in the south - the Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean; to the west by the Indian Ocean. The total area of ​​the country is 7682292 km2 (the area of ​​the continent is 7614500 km2). The Union also owns the Cartier and Ashmore Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos Islands, as well as the Heard, McDonald and Norfolk Islands. There are no high mountain ranges in Australia, the average height above sea level is only 300 m. In the east, the coastal valley is separated from the central part of the country by the Great Dividing Range, the average height of which is about 1200 m. The ridge stretches from the Cape York Peninsula in the north to Victoria in the south -east. Parts of the range have local names: New England Plateau, Blue Mountains. Australian Alps. The highest point of the Australian Alps - Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m) - is also the highest point in Australia. Part of the Great Dividing Range is located on the island of Tasmania. The western part of the continent is a huge plateau from 300 to 450 m above sea level. There are three Australian deserts on the Great Western Plateau:
Great Sandy, Great Victoria Desert and Gibson Desert. There are also low mountain ranges. The center of the country is occupied by vast plains between the Great Dividing Range and the Great Western Plateau. Along the southern coast of Australia, the almost deserted Nullarbor Plain stretches, with a huge number of caves and tunnels. Extinct volcanic craters are located in the southeastern part of the country. The main rivers of Australia are located in the eastern part of the continent. The rivers flowing to the east are Burdekin, Fitzroy and Hunter. Australia's largest river is the Murray (Murray), which, together with its main tributary, the Darling River, stretches for 5,300 km. The rivers of the center of the country and the western part dry up during the dry season. Most of Australia's natural lakes are saline. In the south there is a whole network of salt lakes: Eyre, Torrens, Frome, Gairdner - these are the remains of a large inland sea, which in ancient times stretched from the Gulf of Carpentaria. Australia's largest freshwater lake is the man-made Lake Argyle.
The population of the country (estimated in 1998) is about 18,613,000 people, the average population density is about 2.4 people per km2. Ethnic groups: Europeans - 95% (mainly British and Irish), Asians (including immigrants from the Middle East) - 4%, Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders - 1.5%. Language: English (state), Aboriginal languages. Religion: Catholics - 26%, Anglican Church - 26%, Protestants - 20% (United Church, Baptist Union, Lutheran Church and Church of Christ), Orthodox Church - 4%, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims. The capital is Canberra. Largest cities: Sydney (3590000 people), Melbourne (3094000 people), Brisbane (1450000 people), Perth (1220000 people), Adelaide (1039000 people), Canberra (303000 people). The state structure is a democratic federal state. The head of state - Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain - is represented by Governor General William Dean (since February 1996). The head of government is Prime Minister D. Howard (since March 1996). The monetary unit is the Australian dollar. Average life expectancy (for 1998): 75 years - men, 81 years - women. The birth rate (per 1,000 people) is 13.5. Mortality rate (per 1000 people) - 6.9.
The first inhabitants of Australia were Aborigines who migrated to the continent about 40,000 years ago. Although Chinese, Malay, Indonesian and Arab navigators may have landed on the northern coast of Australia before 1000 AD, the West learned about it only in the 17th century. Until that time, Australia existed as the mythical land of Terra Australia, which was searched for by many navigators. The Dutch were the first to discover the continent at the beginning of the 17th century, however, due to the remoteness of Australia, a complete study was completed only at the beginning of the 19th century by the British. Australia has long been considered an unattractive place for colonization, but with the loss of North America, Great Britain decided to organize convict settlements in Australia, so the first permanent settlers of Australia were criminals and their jailers. By 1830, Great Britain subjugated the entire continent, and the first free settlers appeared in Australia. On January 1, 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed. In 1967, civil rights were granted to Australian Aborigines. Australia is a member of the UN and all the specialized agencies of this organization. British Commonwealth of Nations, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The climate of Australia differs dramatically depending on the region. The climate is tropical in the north, temperate in the south. The tropical region, which covers about 40% of Australia, has two seasons: a hot and humid period (rains in February and March) and a warm and dry period. The average monthly summer temperature in northern and central Australia ranges from 27° C to 29° C. South Australia has four seasons. January and February are the warmest months and the average temperature ranges from 18°C ​​to 21°C. The coldest months are June and July. The average temperature in July is about 10°C, and in the Australian Alps - 2°C. It rains almost at any time of the year, however, the wettest months are summer. Some regions experience periods of drought every year (resulting in wildfires, one of the most serious occurred in 1994 in the state of New South Wales) or floods. The Australian continent has a rather expressive vegetation, characteristic only for it: out of 22 thousand species of plants in Australia, about 90% are found only here. About 840 species are on the verge of extinction, and 83 plant species were destroyed during the colonization of the continent. About 2 thousand species of plants were introduced. Most Australian plants are evergreen. Tropical forests grow in the northeast of the country, as well as deciduous ones. Palm trees and ferns grow along with oak, ash, birch. On the northern coast are mangroves. Telopea truncated and other Australian plants add color to the boreal forests. Huon pine and King William pine grow along the east coast and in Tasmania, providing valuable timber. In the forests of the southeast and southwest, eucalyptus dominates, of which there are more than 500 species, individual trees reach a height of 90 m. Eucalyptus species grow in Western Australia, which are distinguished by hardness and durability of wood. Especially a lot of wild flowers in the region. There are also more than 500 species of acacia in Australia: the flower of the golden Australian acacia is the national flower of the country and is depicted on its coat of arms. The fauna of Australia is no less diverse and unique. Seven families of mammals and four families of birds live only in Australia. About 70% of birds, 88% of reptiles and 94% of frogs are unique to Australia. However, 7 out of more than 700 Australian bird species and 19 mammal species have been wiped out; 36 species of birds and 49 species of mammals are threatened with extinction. One of the surprising features of Australia is the absence of representatives of most of the units represented on other continents. However, in Australia, egg-laying mammals are found in large numbers - the platypus, an aquatic mammal covered with fur and having a beak similar to a duck; echidna, or spiny anteater. Most of the local mammals are marsupials, the most famous of which are kangaroos, of which there are about 50 species: the largest representatives are the large red kangaroo and the real gray kangaroo, jumping up to 9 meters in length; wallabies and kangaroo rats are the smallest representatives. Some marsupials also live on the trees: opossum and koala. Famous marsupials include wombats, Australian bandy-coots, marsupial mice. A rare predator lives on the island of Tasmania - the marsupial devil. One of the typical Australian animals is the dingo. Reptiles are also quite widely represented: among them there are two types of crocodile, one of which - the crested crocodile - reaches a length of 6 m; 500 1 species of lizards, among which are the gecko, skink, monitor lizard. There are about 100 species of venomous snakes in Australia, of which the taipan in the north, the Australian tiger snake and viper in the south, the magnificent Australian copperhead snake and the black snake in other regions stand out. Coastal waters are home to a large number of marine animals: in the south there are several species of whales, and in some parts of the southern coast - seals, in northern waters - dugong, trepang. Quite a large number of dangerous animals live in the coastal waters of Australia: about 70 species of sharks, including black shark and reef shark; Australian jellyfish - sea wasp - one touch of which can end tragically; sea ​​snake, reaching 3 m in length and whose bite is deadly; warty fish and blue octopus. Among insects, giant termites are especially notable, and giant earthworms in Victoria are the largest in the world (from 0.9 to 3.7 m in length). There are more than 700 species of birds on the continent: emu, cassowary, kookaburra with a creepy laugh, lyrebird, a large number of parrots and cockatoos, black swans, thin-billed petrel and many others.
Among the natural attractions of Australia, the Uluru National Park stands out, where Uluru is located - the largest monolith in the world - 348 m high and 9 km in girth; the Great Barrier Reef - the largest coral formation in the world - stretching for 2010 km; Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory; Magnetic Island National Park; Near the city of Perth, tens of thousands of wild flowers bloom in the bush from September to November, attracting numerous tourists.
Australia has a wide variety of museums and galleries. The Australian Museum (opened in 1827) in Sydney has a rich collection of exhibits from the fields of natural history and anthropology; Sydney also houses the National Maritime Museum. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Applied Arts and Science. Nicholson Museum of Antiquities. The National Gallery of Victoria, located in Melbourne, contains an interesting exhibition of European and Australian artists. Also known are the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide; Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth. In Queensland - the famous herbarium; Museum of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium in Melbourne. Other attractions include the following: in Fremantle, the oldest city in Australia, magnificent examples of colonial architecture; in Perth - Anglican and Catholic cathedrals; in Adelaide, the Anglican Cathedral of St. Peter, Catholic Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, in Ballarat - a restored city of gold miners from the middle of the 19th century; in Melbourne, the Cathedral of St. Patrick's, Royal Mint, James Cook Memorial in Fitzroy Gardens. Adelaide hosts an annual Formula 1 race at the Australian Grand Prix; in Melbourne - the Australian Open Tennis Championship, part of the Grand Slam series. Sydney has a large number of parks, including Hyde Park, Royal National Park, Taronga Zoo. Attracts tourists and the small town of Broken Hill, which is a city of artists; there are several contemporary art galleries in Broken Hill. The main resort towns of Australia are located on the east coast: Townsville, Tuyeumba and the most popular one is the Gold Coast, the famous marine park with sharks and dolphins, a casino, excellent conditions for surfing.

Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .

Australia has a very unusual system of government. According to the constitution, Australia is a democratic state with a parliamentary monarchy. In fact, the Australian political system is a classic example of a parliamentary republic.

The nominal head of state is the English monarch (currently Elizabeth II). Australia is one of the Commonwealth Kingdoms, that is, states that were once part of the colonial empire of Great Britain, and now independent countries that not only retained ties with their mother country, but also recognized the dominant status of Elizabeth II. The representative of the Queen of England in Australia is the Governor-General. However, both the Queen and the Governor-General perform purely representative functions. The person who rules Australia de facto is its prime minister. It is on him that the solution of the most important political and economic issues depends.

Powers of the Queen of Great Britain and the Governor General in Australia

The first British colony arose in Australia at the end of the 18th century. Over the next 200 years, English rule on the mainland only grew and grew stronger. In 1942, the Statute of Westminster was ratified. The document proclaimed the independence of Australia from London, however, retained the status of the English monarch as head of state. Today, most Australians consider the status of the British queen as a necessary tribute to tradition. Many, although they do not agree that the head of their state is a person living in another hemisphere, have a sincere reverence for the Queen of England and therefore do not oppose her political role. However, according to opinion polls, more than half of Australians do not want to be ruled by the heirs of Elizabeth II in the future. Some analysts believe that after the death of the queen, the political situation in the country will change dramatically.

The British Queen is the embodiment of executive power. Since Elizabeth II does not have the opportunity to visit the Commonwealth Realms frequently, her functions in Canberra are performed by the Governor General. This position first appeared in 1901. Since then, British monarchs have appointed Australian governors-general every five years. The powers of the Governor General include:

• appointment to the post of prime minister;
• approval of judges, ambassadors and ministers;
• dissolution of the lower house of parliament;
• convocation of parliamentary sessions;
• passing or vetoing parliamentary bills;
• the convening of the Federal Executive Council, which assists the Governor General in the exercise of his functions;
• pardon;
• functions of the supreme commander in chief;
• holding solemn ceremonies: meetings with leaders of foreign powers, presentation of state awards, holding parades, etc.

Although the powers of the Governor General, at first glance, seem to be very significant, in fact, the person holding this position does not influence Australian politics in any way.

Prime Minister and his powers

Despite the fact that the candidacy of the prime minister must be approved by the governor general, this is a mere formality. Usually, governors-general simply sign the act of assuming the office of prime minister of the leader of the party that won the parliamentary elections. The prime minister embodies the real political power in the country.

The First Minister is a member of the Cabinet of Ministers, at the same time dealing with the distribution of posts in the cabinet and directing its work. All important political decisions are made by the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. At the same time, the Governor-General is not present at ministerial meetings. The Cabinet of Ministers, on the contrary, exercises control over the Federal Executive Council, directing the actions of the Governor General.

Late summer 2018 post prime minister occupied by a representative of the liberal party - Scott John Morrison. Before becoming head of government, Morrison worked for many years in the tourism industry. For a time, he even served as Minister of Tourism and Sports in New Zealand. After returning to Australia, Morrison served as Acting Minister for Immigration, State Treasurer and Head of the Department of Social Services. The main directions of the new prime minister's domestic policy at the moment are: restricting the entry of illegal migrants into Australia and normalizing the environmental situation.

Australia will enchant travelers with many architectural masterpieces. Diving is a real discovery for connoisseurs of the beauty of the underwater world; the wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef fascinates tourists. Interesting trips to the desert part of the country, Aboriginal traditions and unusual landscapes diversify the trip. Beach holidays are popular in Australia.

Country Summary

• The Commonwealth of Australia is the official name of the country.
• The only country in the world that is located on the whole mainland. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans.
• Canberra is the capital.
• The area of ​​the country is 7692024 sq. km.
• The population of Australia is over 24 million people.
• The form of government is a parliamentary monarchy.
• The official language is Australian English.
• The largest cities are Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide.
• The main religion is Christianity.
• The official currency is the Australian dollar.
• UTC time zone from +8 to +11.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a state in the Southern Hemisphere, located on mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania and several other islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Australia is one of the developed countries, ranking high in areas such as health, quality of life, education, protection of political rights and civil liberties, and economic freedom. The Commonwealth of Australia is a member of the OECD, G20, WTO, UN, APEC, ANZUS, Commonwealth of Nations, Pacific Islands Forum.

origin of name

The term "Australia" comes from the Latin australis, i.e. "southern". Australians colloquially use the word Oz to refer to Australia.

Legends of the Unknown Southern Land date back to the Roman Empire. In medieval geography, they were commonplace despite not being based on any knowledge of the continent. The first mention of the word "Australia" is found in documents from 1625.

The Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, used the name "Australia" in official messages to England, and in December 1817 recommended that it be adopted officially. The British Admiralty in 1824 finally approved this name for the continent.

Story

About 40-60 thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Australian Aborigines appeared in Australia. When Tasmania and New Guinea were still part of the continent, people came to Australia by sea - these were the earliest sea travelers in the world. The continent began to be settled by people 42-48 thousand years ago.

Some historians have tried to find evidence that Europeans visited Australia as early as the sixteenth century, others argued that Australia was secretly discovered by the Portuguese in the 20s of the sixteenth century.

The discovery of Australia happened in 1606. Willem Janszon landed on the coast on the ship Dyfken and named it New Holland, declaring it the possession of the Netherlands. The Dutchman Abel Tasman traveled in 1642, discovering Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania) and New Zealand, which made a significant contribution to the study of Australia.

Thanks to the Dutch navigators, by the 50s of the seventeenth century, the outlines of Australia were clearly drawn on the maps. Lieutenant Cook traveled to Tahiti in 1769, while carrying out secret instructions to search for the southern continent. The crew of the ship Endeavor in April 1770 saw the east coast of Australia, and ten days later they landed in Botany Bay. After exploring the east coast, Cook reported favorable conditions for establishing a colony in Botany Bay.

In January 1788, the first British colony, New South Wales, was founded on the continent. Subsequently, January 26 became national Holiday - Australia Day. Modern Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) was settled in 1803, receiving the status of a separate colony in 1825. In 1828, the United Kingdom claimed the western part of the country as its own, beginning to own the entire continent.

Through ten years of consultations, planning, voting, a federation of colonies was created - the Australian Union, which in 1907 received the status of a dominion of the British Empire. In 1911, the federal capital territory (Australian Capital Territory) was formed as the seat of the capital of the federation - Canberra.

Australia in 1914 voluntarily participated in the First World War, taking the side of the British Empire. Australians fought in many major battles on the Western Front during the war.

The only constitutional link between the UK and Australia under Westminster status was the common head of state, the British monarch. After the Second World War, the country began to encourage immigration from Europe. After the abolition of the "White Australia" policy, the level of migration from Asia has increased since the 1970s. The Australia Act was passed in 1986. The document abolished the supremacy of the British Parliament and the supremacy of the British court.

In the 1999 Australian referendum, a majority of Australians rejected the project to make Australia a republic. Australian foreign policy until the early 2000s began to develop ties with the countries of the Pacific region, maintaining good relations with the state's allies and trading partners.

Physical and geographical characteristics

The Commonwealth of Australia is the sixth largest country in the world by area. Under the control of Australia are external territories: Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Cartier and Ashmore Islands, Coral Sea Islands, McDonald Islands, Heard Island, Norfolk Island, Australian Antarctic Territory.

In the north and east, the coasts of Australia are washed by the Coral, Arafura, Tasman, Timor Seas; to the west and south is the Indian Ocean. Near the mainland are the large islands of Tasmania and New Guinea. Along the northeast coast stretches the largest coral reef on the planet - the Great Barrier Reef (more than 2000 km).

On the Australian climate ocean currents, including El Niño and the Indian Ocean dipole, have significant impacts. Seasonal tropical low pressure and occasional droughts occur, leading to the formation of cyclones in northern Australia.

The northern part has a tropical climate with summer precipitation. In the southwest of the country the climate is Mediterranean, in the southeast it is temperate. The cold West Australian current affects the aridity of the region, not giving energy to the formation of a cyclone.

In most of the country - lowlands and vast deserts: the Great Victoria Desert, the Great Sandy Desert. To the east of the Victoria Desert lies the semi-desert of the Great Artesian Basin.

In the eastern part of the mainland, there are heavily destroyed low mountains - the Great Dividing Range. River valleys and faults divide the mountains into separate massifs. The western slopes of the mountains are gently sloping, the eastern slopes abruptly drop to the sea. Australia is the only continent on which there is no modern glaciation and active volcanoes. Mount Kosciuszko is the highest point on the Australian continent, the lowest point in Australia is Lake Eyre.

Flora and fauna

In addition to vast deserts and semi-deserts, Australia has various landscapes similar to alpine meadows and tropical jungles. Biota (from ancient Greek - life) - the totality of species of living organisms in Australia is unique and rich due to the significant age of the continent, a huge variety of climatic conditions and prolonged geographical isolation. Flora and fauna together include up to twelve thousand species, of which nine thousand are endemic.

To preserve and protect the unique ecosystem, many protected areas have been created in the country: 16 sites are included in the World Heritage List, 64 wetlands are on the Rimsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

A significant part of Australia's woody plants are evergreen, some of them have adapted to droughts and fires, such as acacias and eucalyptus trees. A large number of endemic plants from the legume family grow here, surviving on marginal soils.

The flora of cool Tasmania differs in many respects from the flora of the mainland. In addition to eucalyptus trees, the island has a significant number of tree species similar to those of South America and New Zealand, such as the evergreen southern beech.

The most famous representatives of the Australian animal world are monotremes: echidnas and platypuses, various marsupials: kangaroo, wombats, koalas; birds such as cockatoo, kookaburra, emu. Austronesians who traded from 3000 B.C. e. with the Australian Aborigines, dingoes were introduced. Australia is home to the largest number of venomous snakes in the world. Many animals and plants, such as giant marsupials, died out with the settlement of the natives; others (such as the marsupial or Tasmanian wolf) became extinct after the arrival of Europeans.

The waters around Australia are rich in cephalopods. Particularly famous species are blue-ringed octopuses, which are ranked among the most poisonous animals in the world; giant Australian cuttlefish that gather each winter in the bay of Spencer Bay for mass mating games.

Ecological situation

In many states of Australia, by the end of the twentieth century, there was a tense situation with fresh water. Because of this, the country has officially adopted restrictions on the use of water. They differ depending on the region. The easing of bans is associated with the beginning of the rainy season and the filling of reservoirs. For example, it is forbidden to wash a car with a hose (you can use a bucket), water hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt), fill pools, water lawns from 10.00 to 16.00.

In the state of South Australia, on the Gulf of St. Vincent, due to lack of fresh water, it is planned to build large-scale water desalination plants based on reverse osmosis.

Features of tourism

Citizens from New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, China, the USA, South Korea, Singapore and others choose Australia as a holiday destination. The main tourist destinations are Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane.

In Australia, all foreign citizens (except New Zealand residents) are required to obtain a visa before entering the country.

The main tourist centers of Australia: Melbourne, Alice Springs, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth.

Melbourne occupies one of the main industrial, commercial, cultural places in Australia. The city is called the "sports and cultural capital", as cultural and sporting events of the continent often take place here. Melbourne is famous for its magnificent combination of Victorian and modern architecture, numerous gardens and parks. The city is home to many major Australian exhibitions and museums.

The main attractions are the Victorian Parliament Building, the State Library of Victoria, the Royal Exhibition Centre, Federation Square, Captain Cook's Cottage, Flinders Street Station, Eureka Tower, St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral.

Popular hiking trails: Golden Mile, Penguin Parade, Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles, Gold Museum, Dandenong National Park.

Sydney known for the Harbor Bridge, Opera House and beaches. National parks surround the residential areas of the city. The coastline is extremely indented. There is an abundance of numerous bays, coves, islands and beaches. The city has a large number of shopping centers, boutiques, shops. Tourists are attracted here by cultural and sporting events, shopping, historical sites, architecture.

gold coast annually visited by about ten million tourists. This is one of the main Australian seaside resorts located between Brisbane and Sydney. This tourist center has the following advantages: mild tropical climate, long beaches, high coastal waves that attract surfers. The city once a year hosts the renowned IRL IndyCar racing series at the Gold Coast Grand Prix.

There are a large number of theme parks and reserves in the Gold Coast: a park of water attractions and performances with marine animals - "Sea World"; "Australian Hollywood" - "Cinema World" park; water parks; Disneyland; restaurants, casinos. The city has a large number of high-rise buildings, including the famous Q1 Tower skyscraper, which has a height of 322.5 m.

City of Cairns (Queensland) ranks fourth in terms of the number of foreign tourists. The main natural recreational resources of this region are the humid tropics, the Great Barrier Reef, the Atherton Plateau, as well as the beaches of the Coral Sea and a comfortable tropical climate.

The tourist infrastructure of Cairns includes many holiday homes, hotels, beaches, restaurants and cafes. Guests are offered entertainment tours and all kinds of excursions, various amusement parks and attractions have been built.

big australian city ​​of Perth located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, in the area of ​​evergreen and hardwood forests and shrubs.

Alice Springs attracts visitors with its close location to Mount Uluru, and a large number of nightclubs, casinos, theme parks, restaurants. Excursions to the Desert Park, the Reptile Center, the old telegraph station, the botanical garden, etc. are popular among vacationers. Hotels, hostels and special parks are provided for accommodation of foreign tourists, designed for overnight stays for vacationers who come by their own cars.

Throughout the year, the city hosts many different performances and festivals, as well as races along the Todd River and through the desert.

Among visitors to Australia are widely popular sea ​​cruises in the coastal zone. Many routes call at the ports of Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Hobart, Sydney, Fremantle (Perth). The excursion programs include cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, to the islands located in this part of the Pacific Ocean.

A trip to Australia will be remembered for a lifetime with a huge number of interesting experiences.