Archive for June 17th, 2008

Australia

Australia is frequently called the largest island on the planet. It is engulfed by water and has thousands and thousands of beaches. Australia is big enough to be its own continent, which it is! Australia is placed in the southern hemisphere and takes up over 7M km² and comes in as the sixth largest nation in the world.

The Australia Culture

Considering Australia began as a British colony, today it is highly multi cultural with nationalities from all over our planet now calling themselves Australians. The population now counts as about 20 Million.
The Aborigene

In these days, the indigenous Australian, called the Aborigine, represents just about 2 % of the total population. The Aboriginal history dates back about 40 Million years. They stayed in most parts of the Australian continent way before the arrival of any European.

Darwin

Farther to the top of Australia is Darwin, with its fairly hot tropical weather patterns. It is referred to as Crocodile Country, and is also Australia’s northern path to Asia.

The Northern Territory of Australia is a land of contrasts and sceneries. From the desert red plains of Alice Springs and Uluru to the lush rainforests of Kakadu and Katherine National Park, it is a land of surprises.

Sydney

Australia has seven well known cities that thousands upon thousands of tourists flock to each year. Australia’s biggest city is Sydney with a population of just about 4 million. What makes Sydney so pleasing is the harbor and its surrounding water ways. Its coastline is beautified with beach after beach. Randomly, some of Sydney’s most popular landmarks are the Sydney Opera House, the Harbor Bridge, and Bondi beach. In the year 2000, Sydney got the privilege to be the host nation of the Olympics. Sydney is a truly modern city and is full of five star restaurants and first class hotels.

Melbourne

Geographically underneath Sydney, we find another current and cosmopolitan city called Melbourne. Melbourne’s sophisticated environment is filled with some of the most well regarded restaurants in the world. Melbourne is second largest city to Sydney, with a population upwards of 3 and a half million people. It is also called the sporting capital of Australia.

Adelaide

Adelaide is referred to as the City of Churches It is a peaceful city compared to the hustle and bustle of Sydney and Melbourne. It also provides tourists with first class restaurants and hotels at much fairer prices than Sydney or Melbourne. Adelaide is famous for its tasty wines from the Barossa valley.

Perth

Farther west in Australia, is the city is Perth. Perth is a lovely city that sits near the Swan river - with a population of only a few hundred thousand people. Its residents bask in a very easy going lifestyle.

Queensland

The eastern top coast of Australia, we find Queensland. Queensland is home to one of the seven wonders of the world: the Great Barrier Reef. The capital city of Queensland is Brisbane, which is also a vivid and diverse city. With such regions as the Whitsundays and Gold Coast, it’s little wonder it flocked with tourists all year long.

Brisbane is a desired destination remembered by the older and more youthful tourists alike.

Tasmania

The smaller island of Australia is Tasmania, which sits along the bottom of Australia’s south east coast. It is very lavish and green. If you prefer the cooler climates, Tasmania is just for you. The capital of Tasmania is Hobart. Strangely enough Tasmania looks like a ripped apart piece of Australia’s mainland.

Rich mineral resources

Australia’s natural riches are amazing. It generates 95% of the earth’s opals and 99% of our world’s black opals. Another of Australia’s largest exports is beef. Australia holds over 27 million heads of cattle.

Wildlife and flora

Australia blossoms with unique wildlife flora and fauna. Two of Australia’s most popular wildlife animals are the kangaroo and the koala. The kangaroo is part of the marsupial family, and belongs to a group of animals called macropods. “Macropod” translates to “big foot.” Another type of Australian macropod in the same group as the kangaroo, is the wallaby. The tallest and heaviest kangaroo is the big red kangaroo; they stand about 2 meters tall and can weigh up to 90 kilos. You will discover red kangaroos in Australia’s arid red center.

The Emu

Another weird creature unique to Australia is also one of the largest birds called the emu. Its name roots from a Portuguese word “emma”, which means “a large bird”. The male emu can often stand as high as 2 meters, earning the eminent title of being Australia’s largest bird.

The Koala

The koala would be considered the most known wildlife animal known to Australia. The koala bear is a mammal, not really a bear, as the name might lead you to believe. It is really more related to the Australian wombat and kangaroo. Tourists come from all over the world to see and have a chance to hold one of these heart-melting little teddy bear-like animals in one of Australia’s several nature parks.