Why was Australia called Australia? Australia Time in Australia

The history of the names of each of the continents is very interesting. Why was Asia called Asia and Antarctica - Antarctica? The origin of some names is associated with ancient myths - the merit of the ancient Greeks in the etymology of many words, including their own names, is very great. For example, Europe is a mythical heroine that appeared thanks to the boundless imagination of the ancient Greeks, who created an incredible number of myths.

Why was Europe called Europe?

There are several versions. Here is one of the most common.

In ancient times, in the place where the state of Lebanon is located, Phenicia was located. According to ancient Greek myths, the god Zeus fell in love with an incredibly beautiful earthly woman named Europa. Historians suggest that the word “Europe” in Phoenician meant “set” (the word itself is most likely Assyrian).

Beauty Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of Phenicia. The Thunderer Zeus wanted to make Europe his wife, but King Agenor would not allow this. Zeus had no choice but to kidnap the beauty.

Having turned into a white bull, Zeus stole Europa and transported her to the island of Crete. Later, according to some myths, Europa became the wife of the Cretan king. Therefore, the inhabitants of Crete began to call their land Europe.

“The Rape of Europe”, V. Serov, 1910

In the 5th century BC, the name Europe spread to all of Greece. Gradually, gaining new knowledge about the world around them and traveling more and more, ancient people pushed back the borders of Europe. And only in the middle of the 18th century were the final boundaries of Europe established, which are also marked on modern geographical maps.

Perhaps this is exactly what happened, and Europe was called Europe in honor of the heroine of ancient Greek myths. In any case, this is a very interesting and curious version.

Why was Asia called Asia?

The name “Asia” as applied to the continent also appeared thanks to the ancient Greeks and their myths. However, the word “Asia” itself is Assyrian, translated as “sunrise”. Now it’s clear why the largest part of the world was called Asia, because that’s where the sun rises.

The word “Asia” among the Assyrians was just a word, but it became the name of a part of the world thanks to the Greeks. In ancient Greek mythology there is a titan god named Ocean. Asia (Asia) is his oceanid daughter, whom the Greeks themselves depicted riding a camel. In her hands she had a shield and a box of aromatic spices. In some versions of myths, Asia is the mother (and in some - the wife) of Prometheus himself - the very hero who brought fire to people.

G. Dore "Oceanids", 1860

The ancient Greeks began to call everything east of Europe and closer to the place where the sun rises Asia. The Scythians, who lived beyond the Caspian Sea, were called Asians by the Greeks. And the ancient Romans, by the way, called the inhabitants of their eastern province Asians.

When the period of great geographical discoveries began, it was decided to use the word “Asia” to designate vast areas of land located closer to sunrise (that is, to the east). Thus, we owe the appearance on the map of a part of the world called Asia to the Assyrians and ancient Greeks.

Did ancient Greek mythology influence the name of any other part of the world? Yes! And this part of the world is Antarctica.

How did Antarctica get its name?

Antarctica is a derivative of the word "Antarctica". The southern polar region was called Antarctica. Translated from Greek, Antarctica means “opposite to the Arctic,” because the name “Arctic” appeared earlier as a designation for the area adjacent to the North Pole. It is the word “Arctic” that is directly related to ancient Greek mythology.

The Thunderer Zeus fell in love with the nymph Callisto, but the envious gods could not see how happy Zeus and Callisto were and turned the pregnant woman into a bear. After this she gave birth to a son. Arkad, that was the name of his son (in Greek, bear is arktos), grew up without a mother. One day, while hunting, he swung a spear at his mother bear Callisto (of course, he did not know who she was). Seeing this, Zeus turned both dear creatures into constellations - this is how Ursa Major and Ursa Minor appeared.

These constellations helped to find the polar star, which always pointed north. Therefore all northern region The ancient Greeks began to call it the Arctic. Then the name Antarctica (the opposite of the Arctic) appeared. Well, later the word Antarctica arose - a sixth of the world, the southern continent at the very pole of the Earth.

This part of the world was discovered by Russian sailors under the command of Thaddeus Bellingshausen on January 28, 1820. True, this is the official date - it was then that the sailors saw the “ice continent”. A year later, the sailors saw the shore and called this area the Land of Alexander the First. However, this name never spread to the entire continent, which eventually received the name Antarctica, associated with ancient Greece.

So, three parts of the world - Europe, Asia and Antarctica - got their names thanks to ancient Greek myths. But how did the names of other parts of the world and continents appear?

Even children know that America was discovered by Christopher Columbus. Then why was this part of the world not called Colombia or Columbia? And what is the origin of the name America?

Christopher Columbus, of course, discovered America, but he himself did not know that he had discovered a new part of the world, believing that the land on the other side of the Atlantic was China (Catay, as it was called in the time of Columbus).

Columbus still became famous for centuries. But much less often they talk about the Florentine navigator, who lived at the same time as Columbus, but was younger than him. Amerigo made four trips to the western shores of the Atlantic Ocean, but historians consider two of them nothing more than a hoax. However, at least one journey actually took place - Amerigo made it in 1501-1502 to the shores of Brazil.

Upon returning, Amerigo Vespucci began to colorfully describe the progress of the trip and his impressions, sending these notes in letters to his friends and the banker Lorenzo Medici. After some time, Vespucci's letters were published and were a great success among readers.

Vespucci himself proposed to name the land he discovered New World, but in 1507, a Lorraine cartographer named Martin Waldseemuller decided to put a new land on the map and name it in honor of the “discoverer” - Amerigo Vespucci. After all, reading Amerigo’s notes, many came to the conclusion that Vespucci discovered some new continent that had nothing to do with China, discovered by Columbus on the other side of the Atlantic.

However, not much time passed, and geographers and cartographers concluded that both Columbus and Vespucci discovered the same continent. Cartographers left the name for it “ America", dividing it into North and South.

Thus, already in 1538 North America and South America. However, until the end of the 17th century, that is, another two and a half centuries, these lands in Europe continued to be called the New World. But, as we know, the name America was officially recognized.

Stefan Zweig called this whole story a comedy of errors, and A. Humboldt dubbed the very name of this part of the world “a monument to human injustice.” It’s not for nothing that they say that Columbus had alternate luck: “he went to discover one thing, found another, but what he found was given the name of a third.”

Australia, the fifth continent, was discovered at the beginning of the 17th century by the Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon. Since then, this part of the world has appeared on geographical maps, but under the name New Holland. However, the boundaries of the continent were unknown at that time. How Australia name changed its own, ceasing to be just New Holland?

Australia. Photo from space

The answer must be sought in the depths of centuries. People started talking about Australia long before it was discovered. Even the great Ptolemy was sure that in the southern hemisphere there is a huge continent that should “balance” the planet. The mysterious land, which either exists or doesn’t, has a conventional name Terra Australis Incognita, which translated from Latin means “Mysterious (or Unknown) Southern Land.”

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the British were actively searching for the Mysterious South Land or New Holland. And finally, James Cook and Matthew Flinders, having completed several voyages, contributed to the appearance of the shores of the fifth continent on the maps.

Flinders was the first to circumnavigate the mainland. He wrote that he was constrained by the name Terra Australis (Southern Land), but with great pleasure he would have called the continent differently -. So, with the light hand of Flinders, this continent began to be called Australia, because the option proposed by the navigator seemed very, very successful to cartographers and geographers.

Why is Africa called Africa?
There is no exact and only accepted answer to this question. There are many theories, each of which has the right to life. Let's give just a few.

How the name “Africa” appeared: the first version. The name "Africa" ​​was invented by the Greco-Romans. The territory of North Africa west of Egypt was long called Libya by the ancient Greeks and Romans because it was inhabited by tribes whom the Romans called “Livs.” Everything south of Libya was called Ethiopia.

In 146 BC, Rome defeated Carthage. A colony was founded on the territory captured as a result of the war, where Tunisia is now located. This colony was given the name “Africa”, since local warlike Afarik tribes lived in these places. According to another theory, the inhabitants of Carthage themselves called people who did not live in cities with the word “afri,” which is supposedly derived from the Phoenician afar (dust). The Romans, after defeating Carthage, used the word "afri" to name the colony. Gradually, all other lands of this continent began to be called Africa.

The ruins of one of the cities of the state of Carthage

How the name “Africa” came about: version two. The name "Africa" ​​was invented by the Arabs. Arab geographers have long known that Asia and Africa are separated from each other by the Red Sea. The Arabic word "faraqa" is translated as "to divide", "to separate one from the other."

From the word farak, the Arabs formed the word “Ifriqiya” - this is what they called the fourth continent (the ancient name can be translated as “Separated”). The famous Arab scholar of the 16th century, Muhammad al-Wazan, wrote about this. Later, Ifriqiya turned into Africa, which was due to the peculiarities of borrowing foreign names in different languages.

And also find out whether it is really and true that The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -

Flag of Australia.

Australia (Australian Union, Commonwealth of Australia) is a state in the Southern Hemisphere, on the mainland of Australia, the island of Tasmania and adjacent islands. Australia owns the islands in the Indian Ocean - Ashmore and Cartier, Coconut (Keeling) and Christmas (Christmas), in the Pacific Ocean - Norfolk Island. Area 7.7 million sq. km, population 20.4 million people (2007). The capital is Canberra, the largest cities are Sydney and Melbourne.

In addition to whites and Asians, the country is home to 230 thousand indigenous people, descendants of the oldest wave of immigrants to this region. They speak hundreds of different tribal languages. Indigenous Australians have gained civil rights and land rights only since the late 1960s, most of them live in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, where there are large reserves and national parks.

Australia is one of the most urbanized countries, with more than 80% of the population living in cities. The southeastern and southwestern parts of the country, which were previously colonized, have a temperate and subtropical climate. This is a country with a high standard of living, but some of the aborigines maintain a traditional way of life. The currency is the Australian dollar.

The Commonwealth of Australia consists of six states, formerly british colonies enjoying significant autonomy: New South Wales (state capital - Sydney), Queensland (Brisbane), Victoria (Melbourne), South Australia (Adelaide), Western Australia (Perth), Tasmania (Hobart) - as well as two territories: the most sparsely populated Northern Territory (Darwin) and the Capital Territory, where the country's capital, Canberra, is located. In addition, Australia owns six "outer island territories"; Of these, only three are inhabited: Christmas Island and two Cocos Islands. Australia is a constitutional monarchy.

Skyscrapers of Sydney.

The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The legislative body is a bicameral parliament. As a former colony, Australia is part of the British Commonwealth. The main language in the country is English, the dominant religion is Christianity. Australia is a country of immigrants. After the Second World War, among them there became a significant proportion of those who came from outside the British Isles, as a result of which the “White Australia” policy had to be abandoned. Among Australians, at least a quarter of those who came here for last half century, among them there are many Italians, Greeks, Syrians, Poles, and immigrants from Yugoslavia. There is a Russian community (there are many Harbin residents who moved from China) and a Ukrainian community (of post-war origin). Over the past twenty years, many Vietnamese, clustered in big cities, Indians, Indonesians and immigrants from New Guinea (the tropical north of the country) have settled in Australia. The government has adopted special programs for the adaptation of Asians into Australian society.

Australia. Settlement of colonists.

Immigration into the country is limited on the basis of property and qualifications. However, those who come to the country to relax and get acquainted with its sights are always welcome guests.

The Commonwealth of Australia is the only country in the world located on an entire continent (albeit the smallest). Its least populated area is 7.6 million sq. km. The continent is entirely located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres. Its shores are washed by the waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Australia. Great Dividing Range.

Areas of fertile land lie in the east and southwest of the country, its entire center and west are occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, and in the north are the savannahs and tropical rainforests of the Arnhem Land Peninsula. The country is low-water - the largest rivers, the Murray and Darling, flow from the Australian Alps, the most elevated part of the Great Divided Range, which stretches in the east of the continent. Mount Kosciuszko (2230 m) rises here - the highest point of the mainland. The lowest-lying, bitter-salty Lake Eyre, “the dead heart of Australia,” is located in the Central Lowlands. There are low ancient block mountains in Western Australia and Arnhem Land.

The proximity of Asian countries, and especially Japan, has determined the modern orientation of the country, rich in mineral resources, to supply the industry of this region. For seaside holidays, the eastern coast, covered by the Great Barrier Reef, is most favorable.

Australia's climate is determined by its geographical location in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons here are reversed to those of the Northern Hemisphere. The hot season is in November-January, the relatively cold season is in June-August. Due to its location predominantly in the tropics, the continent receives a huge amount of solar heat. The change of seasons is clearly manifested only in far north and the extreme south, and is expressed primarily in seasonal precipitation. “Wet season” and “dry season” are concepts that are far from conventional. The northern, eastern and southern outskirts of the continent (a tenth of its area) receive more than 1000 mm of precipitation per year, but in the interior (half of the territory), precipitation does not exceed 250 mm per year. In the north, rain falls mainly in summer, in the southern part - in autumn and winter, and only on the most developed east coast - all year round. However, even there the relatively dry period lasts three to five months. Average summer temperatures range from 20-28 °C, winter temperatures - 12-24 °C, the greatest frosts on the plains are from -4 to -6 °C, and only in the Australian Alps it can reach -22 °C.

Semi-desert in Central Australia.

Australian mangroves.

In northern Australia there are stifling hot summers and irregular rainfall - such a climate is unfavorable for human life and agriculture. Tropical cyclones hit these shores once or twice a year, usually in November–April. The vast territory west of the Great Dividing Range has a hot and dry climate with sharp daily temperature changes. In the subtropics of the southwest, the climate is reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The southeast, blown by the moist winds of the Pacific Ocean, is well and evenly moistened all year round, and is home to the granaries and orchards of Australia. The mildest and most humid climate - with warm, windy winters and cool summer(although in the west there is a rainless summer) - on the island of Tasmania, located mainly in the temperate zone. On the tropical coast of Queensland, in the east, summer, on the contrary, is rainy.

One of the country's attractions is the eucalyptus tree - its varieties can be seen everywhere, it is even on the coat of arms of Australia. Representatives of the Australian living world are equally unique: kangaroos, platypus, echidna, koala - and therefore many places of interest are national parks where combinations are preserved different types flora and fauna.

Australia. Blue Mountains National Park.

In New South Wales, the oldest of the states, you can admire the ridges, plateaus and forested valleys of the Blue Mountains (114 km west of Sydney), visit Mount Kosciuszko (487 km southwest of Sydney), and then the evergreen forests of New England (576 km northwest of Sydney). It will be an interesting trip into the desert, to the Aboriginal-decorated cliffs of Motwingi (130 km northeast of the mining town of Broken Hioo).

In South Australia, you can visit the eucalyptus groves of Kangaroo Island or admire the domes of the ancient Flinders Mountains (450 km north of Adelaide). Off the coast of Queensland is Australia's largest attraction - the coral world of the Great Barrier Reef (length - 1500 km), as well as rain forests and pristine beaches of Fraser Island (260 km north of Brisbane), which, by the way, is the world's largest sand island .

In Victoria, you'll definitely want to look at the green sandstone ridges of the Grampians (260 km west of Melbourne) or the granite cliffs and forested hills of Cape Wilson (250 km southeast). Western Australia is famous for the Stirling Range Park (1,200 plant species) 400 km southeast of Perth, a stunning panorama of the Indian Ocean from the coast of Yanchep Park (51 km to the north), and the oldest fossilized living organisms on earth - stromatolites in the northwest, in Shark -Beat. There are also wild desert ancient mountains (the Hammersley and Mount Augustus ranges).

In the Northern Territory, 250 km east of Darwin, it is located national park"Kakadu" is a paradise of crocodiles, where sacred rocks painted by the aborigines rise. In the south, 455 km southwest of the “desert capital” of Alice Springs, there is the most famous monument of the mainland - the red mountain Ayers Rock (the aborigines call it Uluru - this is their ancient shrine) and nearby the exotic Mount Olga. Drive 155km west of Alice Springs to the exotic palm groves of the Palm Valley oasis in the MacDonnell Ranges. There is a project to transform the island of Tasmania into a single national park - the famous deserts and forests of the island preserve many rare species of animals that are not even found on the mainland.

The history of the settlement of Australia by modern civilization goes back a little over two hundred years. Therefore, a direct transition from the prehistoric rock paintings of Ayers Rock and others like it to the monuments of the colonial period is natural. Sydney, the country's oldest and largest city, retains a corner of the old colonial center on the southern shore of the bay. Particularly noteworthy is the building of the Sydney Grammar School of the Victorian era. The city is home to the Royal Botanic Park and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. On a rocky headland rises the famous, shell-shaped, ultra-modern building of the Sydney Opera House - a symbol new Australia, and across the bay stretches the arched Sydney Bridge, no less famous than the bridge in San Francisco (USA). South of Sydney is Botany Bay, where James Cook and colonial founder Arthur Philip landed.

Central Australia. Cave drawings.

In Melbourne, founded by free settlers who wanted to capture the spirit of “good old England,” many more architectural monuments have been preserved that are reminiscent of Europe of the last century: massive Victorian-style buildings and shady parks, the famous state art gallery. Not far from the botanical garden there is a house transported from England where James Cook (1728 - 1775) was born. The town of Swan Hill has recreated a 19th century colonial village. The Lutheran churches of the German colonists enliven the landscape of the Barossa Valley near Adelaide - this is the birthplace of Australian winemaking.

Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, has not retained a large number of Early colonial architecture including Fort Anglesey (1814), Australia's oldest theatre, and the Houses of Parliament. 80 km to the southwest is the Port Arthur convict prison (in the past, criminals exiled by the British government were located here). Buildings from 1830 have been preserved here - now it is an object for viewing. Although Australians have a traditional reputation for being uncomplicated country dwellers, in recent decades the federal government has poured considerable resources into raising the standard of symphony orchestras and television in the country; A ballet troupe was created. Aboriginal art has now gone beyond the ethnographic departments of museums, and theatrical dance groups have been created that attract the attention of tourists.

In Australia there are five cities with a population of more than 1 million inhabitants - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. All of these cities are state capitals. Perth (population - 1193 thousand people), despite its founding date - 1829, is a young city. Its rapid growth was due to the mining boom in Western Australia. Ultra-modern high-rise buildings from the 1970s and 1980s are a signature feature of the Perth cityscape. Perth has an art gallery, the Western Australian Museum, and the Burswood Casino. Unique examples of the state's vegetation are preserved in King Park in the city center. Australia's main gold refinery is located here, where metal is also brought from other countries. Near Perth there are Rottnest Island (marine entertainment) and Swan Valley (wine) parks. There are many dangerous marine animals found off the coast of the state. Perth's outport is Fremantle.

The city of Adelaide is located on the Gulf of St. Vincent. It is the stronghold of British white Australia, slightly diluted by immigrants. The population of Adelaide is 1065 thousand people. The city center is surrounded by a ring of parks. King William Street is home to numerous banks and travel agencies. In the center, in a pedestrian area, is the main shopping area, where department stores and restaurants are concentrated. The city museum contains a unique ethnographic collection of Aboriginal people. A popular arts festival in the country is held annually in the Festival Center building. Kangaroo Island - favorite place recreation for citizens.

Australia. Fountain in Adelaide.

In Australia, you can mine gold in the mines of the last century, live in a gold miner’s hut; skydive; fly in a hot air balloon; learn to scuba dive among coral labyrinths; play golf or tennis; Drive a rented car across Australia in ten days; to fish; rock climbing; ride a sleigh with sand dunes, on a surfboard on the ocean waves. You can simply walk through the mountains, climbing into exotic corners, look at crocodiles in a national park or sunbathe on the beaches of numerous resorts on the east coast, and find a refuge for relaxation tens of kilometers from residential areas. There are numerous cruises on sea and river vessels.

Australia. A traditional Tiwi Aboriginal shrine on Melville Island, the only area under indigenous governance.

© Corel Professional Photos

Australia. London Bridge rock on the coast of Victoria.

© Corel Professional Photos

The capital of Queensland, Brisbane is one of the main resort centers. The most famous resort is the Gold Coast (Gold Coast): starting 80 km south of Brisbane and stretching 42 km to the border with New South Wales. The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most famous and popular holiday destinations. An endless string of beaches washed by the warm waters of the ocean, white hotel towers in the greenery of tropical gardens, majestic mountains on the horizon - all this creates a unique flavor. The resort has the status of an urban area with its center in Surfers Paradise.

Australia. The coconut palm is not exotic to Australia.

Australia. Country beach.

Among the resorts of the Great Barrier Reef, the most famous are Lindeman, Daydream, Hayman, Brampton, Long - and there are about 20 resort islands in total. There are 350 species of corals, 4,000 mollusks, and 1,200 fish on the reef. The city of Cairns in northern Queensland is a major center for sport fishing.

Another extensive resort area stretches 115 km north of Brisbane - Sunny Beach. An important point of the recreational business is Sydney, in the vicinity of which there are several leisure facilities. Along the shores of Port Jackson Bay, which juts into the land, there are the beaches of Bondi, Manly, and Palm Beach. The King Cross entertainment district in the city center attracts Sydney residents and visitors with its numerous cafes, cinemas and restaurants, as well as its reputation as a hub for gambling and dubious entertainment. Within a radius of several tens of kilometers there are several parks where you can see kangaroos, koalas and other Australian animals in almost natural conditions.

104 km west of Sydney are the Blue Mountains, visited annually by more than half a million holidaymakers and tourists. The blue effect arises from the glow of eucalyptus oil vapor evaporating under the direct rays of the sun from the millions of eucalyptus trees that densely cover the gentle slopes of mountains, plateaus and canyons. Reaching a height of 1300 meters, the Blue Mountains are an example of the diversity of Australian nature. This is one of the few places in the country where snow falls. Best known outside the country ski resorts Thredbo, Smiggin Holes, Perisher Valley. In the town of Bowral, a tulip festival is held annually in the spring.

Sagittarius fish is an inhabitant of Australian mangroves.

Australian coast. Wild beach.

From Sydney there are excursions to the Hunter River Valley (180 km north of the city) - a wine region and South coast(250 km) - into the world of old Australia, kangaroos and pioneer villages. The center of tourism is the Northern Territory, where savannas with rivers (there are crocodiles) near the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Uluru massif, near which there is a new hotel, and the deserts around Alice Springs with the Sheraton Hotel.

A visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park is one of the most interesting excursions, always popular with all visitors to Australia. In the Wildlife Park you can walk in the company of kangaroos and emus, see wombats, possums and other exotic animals of Australia. The park was founded on land originally owned by Charles and Marjorie Vig in 1953. It initially operated as a private zoo. Then the son-in-law of the Vig couple, Bruce Kuber, who had been keen on studying the fauna and flora of Australia since childhood, organized a kind of “living” laboratory on this territory, which allowed thousands of people to visit the park every week and get acquainted with the life of animals in the wild. Currently, Featherdale Park is home to more than 5,000 different species of animals and birds, including some that have almost disappeared. The park is well suited for outdoor activities, and biology and zoology teachers can tell and show their students much more here than in the narrow walls of a classroom. The park has also become a permanent place for excursions and work of professional photographers, writers, naturalists and other specialists. Travel companies from all over the world have become interested in the Wildlife Park, since the care of animals here, as well as the territory of the park itself, meets the highest standards. Featherdale is now one of the most visited and loved wildlife reserves in the world. Featherdale Park is home to 4 different species of kangaroos and over 15 species of wallabies and wallaroos, ranging in size from the largest tawny species to pygmy marsupials and tree frogs. There is a special children's zoo on the territory of the Park, where you can get a closer look at how kangaroos bear their young. But not all places allow you to get close to kangaroos, as sometimes males can become aggressive, especially when looking for a female kangaroo.

Excursion to the foot of the Kuranda Range mountains, deep into the Australian savanna (Kuranda and Australian Savanna Tour). The journey begins at the foot of the Kuranda Range on the world's longest cable car, the 7 kilometer Skyrail. Smoothly gliding over the tops of the ancient tropical forest, you enjoy views of pristine nature, panoramas of the ocean coast and coral islands. Along the way, you make stops for walks along forest paths and, finally, you are in Kuranda, where you can buy products from local craftsmen and aborigines at the local market. The trip then continues by car and takes you deep into the Australian savannah, passing banana, mango and tobacco plantations and huge termite mounds along the way. The road leads you to volcanic lakes, where you will find swimming in clear waters, walks through the forest to huge fig trees and an Australian picnic - barbecue, meat fried on a hot sheet of metal. The journey continues towards Malanda Falls. Along the way, visit an opal processing workshop, where you can not only see the processing process, but also purchase famous Australian opals. Then descend through the Gillies Range with breathtaking views of North Queensland nature.

Traveling around South Cairns (South Cairns Tour). The trip begins with a visit to Belender Ker National Park, just 45 minutes from Cairns. You then enter the picturesque forests of Boulders Wildlife Park. From here you can see the legendary and mysterious mountain Bartel Frer. The diversity of North Queensland's flora and fauna is on full display here. There is no better place to stop for a picnic with a traditional barbecue and a swim in the clear waters of Barbinda Creek. The Josephine Falls area is also good for relaxing and swimming. You can take a walk into the forest and admire the beauty of ancient waterfalls, as well as take unforgettable pictures as a souvenir. Most animals are nocturnal, although if you're lucky you might see pythons, as well as tree-dwelling kangaroos and bush turkeys.

Australia. Countryside view.

Australia. Ayers Rock Monolith, Uluru - remnant mountain range Peterman, the monolith is 450 million years old. The mountain giant is surrounded by sparse vegetation, mostly shrubs, but sometimes there are also eucalyptus trees with silver trunks and gray-green leaves. Mount Uluru is considered sacred by the Aboriginal people.

Air travel around Australia. During a 12-day trip on board a private comfortable plane, you will be able to see a real wonder of the world - the incredible and only largest monolith in the world, Ayers Rock, changing its famous brown color at sunset. By meeting local aborigines, you will become more familiar with their culture and also hear an original interpretation of dreams. At night, the Southern Cross will spread out above you in the bottomless night sky.

Alice Springs is the most remote town in the center of Australia from civilization, in the area of ​​the oldest rock formations in the world. And then - a trip to hot springs, flights over picturesque waterfalls, mountain passes, a trip to the center of Kakadu National Park, where you can observe the life of birds and crocodiles in their natural environment, and during a trip to the East Aligator River area you will see specimens rock art Aboriginals. Some drawings are more than 20 thousand years old. Then - to the tropics - to the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can fly over the reef and swim underwater, surrounded by unforgettable seascapes of tropical Australia.

Hunting in the wild. Fly to the outback for two days of amazing adventures: tracking and hunting kangaroos, wild boars, goats, huge wild bulls, foxes and hares, hunt kangaroos at night. Accompanied by a professional hunter, you'll travel around southwest Queensland, learning about local history and visiting sheep farms. In the evening you will find a wonderful home-cooked dinner and a cozy overnight stay. In the morning, a trip to an ancient mining town, famous for its black opals, which you can purchase here. And then - hot healing springs, swimming and rest.

Off the coast of Australia. A school of fish in the Great Barrier Reef.

Off the coast of Australia. Great Barrier Reef. Rock perch.

Ocean Deep Water Fishing. Fishing on a speedboat will bring pleasure to both amateurs and fishing professionals. Throughout the trip, you are accompanied by a professional Russian-speaking instructor-guide, who has carefully prepared gear and bait for you. Light snacks and soft drinks are at your service on board the boat.

Travel to Stradbroke Island (Stradbroke Island Day Cruise). A sea voyage on a motor ship along the ocean, bays and rivers of the island with a stop for walking and swimming. You will be able to water ski and motorcycle, take a breathtaking parachute flight. A traditional Australian lunch will complete this exciting journey.

Cairns, the central city of northern Queensland, is considered the tourism capital of Australia. All tourist roads go here, and then the paths lead to the north - to the rainforests of Daintree and the ancient town of Cooktown, to the west - to the coolness of the Atherton Tableland plain, or to the east - to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The islands are an ideal place for family and individual holidays. The average annual temperature here is 26 degrees. Picturesque tropical vegetation, dazzling beaches and the rich underwater world of coral islands, gentle ocean waves allow you to admire nature, swim and sunbathe all year round.

No less attractive is the small town of Port Douglas, whose comfort and picturesqueness have attracted such giants of the tourism business as Sheraton Mirage and Radisson Royal Palm Resorts. From here, as well as from Cairns, you can make exciting trips boat trips on sailboats and boats, get acquainted with the inhabitants of the underwater world of coral islands. Comfortable hotels with first-class service and the unique beauty of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef will allow you to spend unforgettable days.

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island. Tropical forests rising straight from the sand, endless gold beaches, crystal clear freshwater lakes, colorful sand layers in the Pinnacles, the wreck of the famous ship Maheno, which in the distant past was wrecked in these places, hundreds of species of birds, freely wandering dingoes, echidnas, swamp kangaroos , and humpback whales migrating along the western part of the island in August-October. The modern seaside resort's array of activities will leave you with an unforgettable impression of a subtropical wonderland.

Australians love meat pie - a puff pastry pie with meat filling (similar to our belyash). Dishes from fish, shellfish, and shells are prepared everywhere. Australia's national dish is barracuda, which is caught in the Cleveland area. We also advise you to try the “Marsupial” steak made from kangaroo meat with mushrooms, sailor-style brains in red wine, Australian salad, in which thin pieces of ham are rolled into tubes and then folded, putting diced fresh cucumbers, apples and boiled celery root on top, then pour over orange juice and mayonnaise. The Melbourne chicken with sauce is also unforgettable; it is served as a side dish with eggplants, tomatoes, and garlic fried in a mixture of equal parts of butter and olive oil for flavor; Fried potatoes shaped like small nuts are placed at both ends of the dish. For dessert, try Pavlova - kiwi with meringue and fresh cream. Barbecue - outdoor grilling - is considered a kind of "national sport" in Australia.

1st of January - New Year.
January 26 is Australia Day.
Easter Monday.
April 25 - Anzac Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day).
May 1 - Labor Day.
July 14 is the Queen's birthday.
December 25 - Christmas.
December 27 is Boxing Day.

Australia as a country is simply doomed to glory, because its residents were selected by the best English judges

Australia (from lat. Terra Australis- “southern land”) is the sixth largest state in the world in terms of area and the only state on Earth that occupies an entire continent.

Geographical location of Australia

Australia (Commonwealth of Australia, Commonwealth of Australia) occupies the continent Australia, island Tasmania and a number of other islands Indian, Quiet And Southern oceans. To the north of Australia are located East Timor, Indonesia and Papua - New Guinea , to the northeast - Vanuatu, New Caledonia And Solomon islands , to the southeast - New Zealand. The Australian mainland is divided by Indian And Pacific Ocean. Often, on geographical and geopolitical grounds, Australia is included in the region Australia and Oceania.

Square Australia- 7617930 km 2. The length from west to east is about 4000 km, from north to south - 3128 km. The length of the coastline is 34218 km.

In relief Australia Three main regions can be distinguished: Western plateau with a relatively flat surface, Eastern Mountains with significant differences in elevation and Central lowland between them.

TO Australia applies Great Barrier Reef- the world's largest coral reef, stretching from north to south along the east coast Australia.

Climate of Australia

40% of the territory Australia is located in the tropics. Due to the large extent of the continent and the diversity of operating factors, in different regions Australia The climate is different: in the north the climate is subequatorial, monsoonal, hot, in the central part it is tropical desert, in the southwest it is subtropical with a predominance of winter precipitation. On the east coast it is tropical, maritime, hot with a summer maximum of precipitation.

Climatic zones: - equatorial - tropical - subtropical - desert - semi-desert - temperate

Australia- the driest continent on Earth, the entire central part of the continent is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, and the main settlements are located on the coast, in a temperate climate zone.

Don't forget that Australia located in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to European ones: spring from September to November, summer from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August.

Features of Australia

Flora and fauna of Australia

Due to the considerable age of the continent, the great diversity weather conditions and long-term geographical isolation nature Australia rich and unique. Approximately 85% of plants, 84% of mammals, 45% of birds, 89% of coastal fish are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else in the world. The most famous plants are eucalyptus adapted to hot, dry conditions. Of the animals - marsupials ( kangaroo, koala, wombat) and oviparous mammals ( platypus And echidna).

Of the dangerous animals, poisonous snakes should be noted, they are Australia 65 species. Some types of jellyfish, which occasionally appear in coastal waters. Do not ignore swimming bans: if a ban is announced, there is a reason for it!

Population of Australia

Indigenous people Australia - Australian aborigines today they make up just over 2% of the population Commonwealth of Australia. Australia used by the British Empire as a place of exile for criminals. Check-in Australia immigrants from Britain began in 1788, when east coast The first batch of exiles was landed. Later, a wave of European immigration rose after the discovery of Australia gold. From 1851 to 1861, that is, in just a decade, the population tripled (!). In the 2nd half of the 19th century. V Australia many Germans moved in. Mass immigration continued during World War II. In 1900, the Australian colonies united into a federation. The consolidation of the Australian nation accelerated in the first decades of the 20th century, when Australia's national economy finally strengthened.

Residents Australia friendly, but for them there are no authorities, and they are sharp with their words. On the one hand, the country retains the influence of English culture, sometimes manifested in restraint, primness, and puritanism; on the other hand, similarities are noted Australia With California, which is manifested in love of life, freedom of morals, and the habit of spending most of the time outdoors. Australians are friendly to foreigners. The country is home to about a quarter of a million people from the former USSR.

Australians are extremely laconic, they find brevity a wonderful quality. Business proposals should be presented simply, concisely, and should not go into details. When describing a product, you must honestly indicate its pros and cons. The offer price should not be inflated.

The tradition of most Australians is a relaxed style of clothing. But for business meetings, visits concert halls and the best restaurants, of course, require an appropriate suit.

Languages ​​in Australia

Official language Australia- English, in which a special Australian dialect was formed - strine (strine)

The capital of Australia

Capital Australia- city Canberra, which emerged as a result of long debate. The largest and most important cities claimed the role of capital Australia - Sydney And Melbourne, but in order not to offend the inhabitants of one of these cities, a Solomonic decision was made: a completely new city was built between them.

Australian currency

National currency Australia - Australian dollar. One dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars and coins in 2, 1 dollar and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. The import of national and foreign currency is not limited. The export of national and foreign currency is allowed - no more than $5,000.

Currency exchange is more profitable in banks than in hotels and restaurants. Banks are open from 9:30 to 16:00 on weekdays, on Friday - until 17:00.

Australian Customs Regulations

Food cannot be brought into the country. It is prohibited to import drugs, steroids, cold and firearms, protected plants, animals and products from them. Any animals, food, plants and products made from them must be declared and subject to quarantine control. Restrictions on import/export to/from Australia There are no currencies of any kind in any amounts. When importing cash in excess of the equivalent of 5,000 Australian dollars, they must be indicated in the declaration. This rule does not apply to travel checks and credit cards.

Travelers over 16 years of age can import duty-free alcoholic beverages - up to 1 liter, tobacco products - 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars and other tobacco products. Australia has the most vigilant quarantine service. Upon arrival at the airport, you and your luggage can be sprayed with a WHO-approved disinfectant. The fine for knowingly transporting prohibited products ranges from $32 to $5,794, or up to 5 years in prison. When leaving the country, each passenger over 12 years old pays a tax of 27 Australian dollars.

Time in Australia

Australia cover 3 time zones. In the eastern part ( Sydney, Canberra) time is 7 hours ahead of Moscow.

Transport in Australia

The country drives on the left. For foreign drivers (at least 21 years old) in Australia You must have an international driving permit (in English) and a national driving license with a certified translation into English language, valid during the period of stay in Australia for at least 3 subsequent years. Foreigners driving, in addition to a driver's license, are required to have a passport with a valid visa. Anyone over 21 years old (sometimes 25 years old) can rent a car. Minimum driving experience is 2 years.

AUSTRALIA

Australia

1) Commonwealth of Australia, state. Name Australia (Australia) by location on the mainland of Australia, where over 99% of the state’s territory is located. Since XVIII V. possession of Great Britain. Currently a federated Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) consisting of six states and two territories. Member of the Commonwealth.

2) mainland in South hemisphere, part of the world. The name of the continent is due to the fact that in ancient times geographers were convinced of the presence in the South. hemisphere of a hypothetical landmass, which was labeled on maps as Terra Incognita - "unknown land", Terra Australis Incognita - "unknown southern land" or Terra Australis - "southern land". In search of this continent Dutch the territory was discovered by sailors modern Australia, called New Holland. As a result of the second voyage of J. Cook in 1772-1775 gg. South a continent in the middle latitudes was not discovered and, as Cook believed, if it exists, it is only in the highest latitudes. Therefore, the name Terra Australis, which had already become familiar on 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. Within 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

the smallest continent. Area - 7.6 million km2. Entirely located in the south. hemisphere, isolated. It is washed by the Pacific (Tasman and Coral Seas) and Indian Oceans (Arafura and Timor Seas). Large islands: Tasmania and New Guinea, along the north-east. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 km of coastline. Coastline slightly indented. Large bays - Carpentaria in the north and Great Australian - in the south." large peninsulas - Cape York and Arnhem Land 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 with a cover of sedimentary rocks. In the east is the mountainous region of the Great Dividing Range (Hercynian fold) with the Australian Alps. A. is the flattest continent. Ore minerals are confined to crystalline shields, deposits of oil, gas, phosphorites, and coal are confined to sedimentary rocks. Climate. The driest continent, insufficient moisture with high levels of solar radiation. Four climate zones. Subequatorial - variable-humid monsoon climate with humid, hot summers and dry winters. There are two types of climate in the tropical zone - tropical wet and dry. The first one is to the east. coast and slopes of the Watershed Range. The second is in the center of the mainland. In the subtropical zone there are three regions: subtropical humid (in the southeast); subtropical mainland (along the Great Australian Bight); subtropical Mediterranean (to the south gulf). The island of Tasmania is located in the temperate zone, dominated by westerly 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, which are full of water all year round, some are navigable. The most large river- Murray with the Darling tributary, rain floods are typical, the Darling dries out in the dry season. Most lakes. has no drainage and is saline. The largest Air. Natural areas. Big influence isolated from other continents, there are a large number of endemics (eucalyptus trees and marsupials). Humid and variable-humid tropical forests are located in the north-east. mainland. Palms, laurels, tree ferns, and ficus grow on red ferrallite soils. Along the coast there are mangroves. Animals include arboreal marsupials, possums, couscous, echidnas, birds of paradise, cassowaries, and crocodiles in rivers. 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 there are mountain forests with altitudinal zones. Summer-arid hard-leaved forests of the Mediterranean type are represented in the southeast. and south hall, parts. They are the most valuable economically (eucalyptus trees reach about 70 m). Toward the interior regions, the forests become lighter, gradually turning into open forests and savannas. Kangaroos, emus, koalas, platypuses, cockatoos, and budgies live here. Kangaroos in the savannas of Australia play the same role as ungulates in Africa. Inland regions are vast deserts and semi-deserts with desert soils. Thickets of thorny bushes (scrapers) are characteristic. There are no areas devoid of vegetation cover. Large predators are missing. Flora and fauna have been significantly modified by humans. Main population. Descendants of settlers from the British Isles (approx. 16 million people) and aborigines with features of the equatorial and Mongoloid races (approx. 150 thousand people). The official language is English, the most common religion is Christianity. The mainland is entirely occupied by the state of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Concise geographical dictionary. EdwART. 2008.

Australia

(Australia), the smallest of the continents, located in the South. hemisphere, part of the world. The name dates back to ancient times, when it was believed that in the South. hemisphere there is an unknown southern land - Terra Australis Incognita. Initially, the mainland was named New Holland. The English hydrographer Flinders proposed in 1814 to rename it A. The continent is washed in the W., S. and N. Indian Ocean and its seas, in the East - the Tasman and Coral seas of the Pacific Ocean. Extreme points of the mainland: in the north - cape York , 10°41′ S; to the south – Cape South-East, 39°11′ S; to the west - cape Steep Point , 113°05′ E; on the east – Cape Byron, 153°34′ E. The shores are poorly dissected, with large bays: Carpentaria in the north and Bol. Australian in the south. In the north there are two large peninsulas: Arnhem Land And Cape York Tasmania , Kangaroo, Melville etc.) 7704.5 thousand km². The length of A. from N. to S. is 3200 km, from W. to E. 4100 km. Along the east coastline stretches for 2300 km Bol. barrier reef .
The basis of the continent is the ancient Australian platform, which is bordered in the east by the East Australian fold belt. Avg. the height of the continent is 215 m, plains predominate, up to 95% of the territory is located below 600 m above sea level. (lowest continent). In the west of the mainland there is a plateau 400–500 m high with isolated mountain ranges, on average. h. – low. with drying lakes and salt marshes. Passes on V. Bol. Watershed Ridge . 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 natural resources. gas
B. Ch. A. lies in the tropics, N. - in equatorial latitudes, S. - in subtropical latitudes. OK. 2/3 of the territory (in the central part of the mainland) has a desert and semi-desert climate. East The coast has a maritime climate, with maximum precipitation in the summer. Avg. January temperatures are from 20 to 30 °C, July temperatures are from 12 to 20 °C. Precipitation decreases from east to west from 1500 to 250 mm per year or less. Large rivers: Murray with influx Darling , Flinders . A. is characterized by the so-called screams are rivers that fill with water only after heavy rainfalls. Up to 60% of the territory has no flow into the ocean. More than 30 large artesian bass are known. total area OK. 4800 thousand km², they play an important role in water supply. Int. The continent's spaces are occupied by deserts: Bol. Sandy, Gibson, Bol. Victoria Desert . Around them stretches a belt of semi-deserts with thickets of eucalyptus and acacia trees. K S., V. and Y.V. deserts turn into savannas, forests (eucalyptus, palm trees and tree ferns) grow along the coasts and in the mountains. There are no ungulates, primates, or carnivores in Africa, but there are many feral dogs, pigs, and rabbits brought by settlers. Among the endemic species there are many marsupials: kangaroos, marsupial moles, wombats, etc. Only here are oviparous mammals found: the platypus and the echidna. Typical birds include: emus, cassowaries, cockatoos, etc. Among the national species. parks and reserves: Mount Buffalo , Kostsyushko, Wilsons-Promontory, etc. Throughout the entire territory of A. and about. Tasmania is a state located Commonwealth of Australia .

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. 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 belief in the presence in the South. hemisphere Terra Australis Incognita - unknown south. land. In the process of searching for a hypothetical continent, a territory was discovered. modern Australia, originally called New Holland. Held in 1772–75. second circumnavigation of the world by J. Cook did not confirm the existence of the alleged south. land, and the name Australia remained free. The English hydrographer Flinders took advantage of this and proposed in 1814 to rename New Holland to 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. Extreme points of the mainland: in the north - Cape York, 10°41 south. sh.; to the south - Cape South-East, 39°11 south. sh.; on the W. – Cape Steep Point, 113°05 E. d.; on the east - Cape Byron, 153°34 east. The shores are poorly dissected, with large bays: Carpentaria in the north and Great Australian in the south. In the north there are two large peninsulas: Arnhem Land 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 The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 km of coastline.
The basis of the continent is the ancient Australian platform, which passes into the East Australian fold belt. Wed. high above y. m. - 215 m, plains predominate, up to 95% of the surface lies below 600 m. In the east runs the Great Watershed Range, which is divided into a number of isolated flat-topped mountain ranges. Highest point - Mt. Kosciuszko(2228 m) is located in Australian Alps. In the west of the mainland lies a high plateau. 400–500 m with ridges and mesas, on Wed. parts – lowland with lake. Air in the center. Australia has deposits of hard and brown coal, iron ore, copper, bauxite, polymetallic, titanium and uranium ores, gold, and diamonds (see. Australian diamond province), oil and natural gas.
Most of Australia lies in the tropics, the north is in equatorial latitudes, and the south is in subtropical latitudes. At 2/3 ter. (in the central part of the continent) desert and semi-desert climate. In the north, the climate is equatorial monsoon, hot, with summer rains; to the southwest – subtropical, with predominant precipitation in winter. East The coast has a hot tropical maritime climate with maximum precipitation in the summer. Wed. January temperatures are from 20 to 30 °C, July temperatures are from 12 to 20 °C. Precipitation decreases from east to west (from 1500 to 250 mm per year or less). Large rivers: Murray with Darling tributary, Flinders. Australia is characterized by the so-called. screams are rivers that fill with water only after heavy rainfalls. Up to 60% ter. – area of ​​internal drainage. More than 30 large artesian bass are known on the Australian mainland. total area OK. 4800 thousand km², playing an important role in water supply.
The Great Sandy Desert, the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert, and others stretch across the vast interior spaces of the continent. There are many salt lakes here. Around the deserts there is a belt of semi-deserts with thickets of thorny bushes of acacias and eucalyptus. K S., V. and Y.-V. deserts turn into savannas; Forests of eucalyptus, palm trees and tree ferns grow along the coasts and in the mountains. There are no ungulates, primates or carnivores in Australia, but there are many feral dogs, pigs and rabbits brought here by settlers. Among the endemic species there are many marsupials: kangaroos, marsupial moles, marsupial wolves, wombats, etc. Only in Australia are oviparous mammals found: the platypus and the echidna. Typical birds are: emu, cassowaries, cockatoos, etc. Among the nationalities. parks and reserves: Mount Buffalo, Kosciuszko, Wilsons Promortory, etc.
Throughout the entire territory Australia together with Fr. Tasmania is located in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Edited by prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .

Australia

Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .

AUSTRALIA

UNION OF AUSTRALIA
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 - the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea; in the south - the Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean; in the west - 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 islands of Cartier and Ashmore, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, as well as Heard, MacDonald 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 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 with an altitude of 300 to 450 m above sea level. The Great Western Plateau is home to three Australian deserts:
Great Sandy, Great Victoria and Gibson Deserts. 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 stretches the almost deserted Nullarbor Plain, which has a huge number of caves and tunnels. Extinct volcanic craters are located in the southeastern part of the country. Australia's main rivers are located in the eastern part of the continent. The rivers flowing east are the Burdekin, Fitzroy and Hunter. Australia's largest river is the Murray (Murree), which, together with its main tributary, the Darling River, stretches for 5,300 km. The rivers in the center of the country and the western part dry up during the dry season. Most of Australia's natural lakes are salty. In the south there is a whole network of salt lakes: Eyre, Torrens, Frome, Gairdner - these are the remnants 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 country's population (estimated for 1998) is about 18,613,000 people, with an average population density of about 2.4 people per km2. Ethnic groups: European - 95% (mainly English and Irish), Asian (including Middle Eastern) - 4%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - 1.5%. Language: English (state), aboriginal languages. Religion: Catholics - 26%, Church of England - 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 (3,590,000 people), Melbourne (3,094,000 people), Brisbane (1,450,000 people), Perth (1,220,000 people), Adelaide (1,039,000 people), Canberra (303,000 people). The government 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 currency is the Australian dollar. Average life expectancy (as of 1998): 75 years for men, 81 years for women. The birth rate (per 1000 people) is 13.5. The mortality rate (per 1000 people) is 6.9.
The first inhabitants of Australia were the Aborigines, who migrated to the continent about 40,000 years ago. Although Chinese, Malay, Indonesian and Arab sailors may have landed on the northern coast of Australia before 1000 AD, the West only learned about it in the 17th century. Until this time, Australia existed as the mythical land of Terra Australia, which many sailors searched for. The Dutch were the first to discover the continent at the beginning of the 17th century, but due to the remoteness of Australia, full exploration was completed only at the beginning of the 19th century by the British. Australia had long been considered an unattractive place for colonization, but with the loss of North America, Great Britain decided to establish convict settlements in Australia, so Australia's first permanent settlers were convicts and their jailers. By 1830, Great Britain had conquered the entire continent, and the first free settlers appeared in Australia. On January 1, 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed, gaining the right of self-government as part of the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1967, civil rights were granted to Aboriginal Australians. Australia is a member of the UN and all specialized agencies of this organization. British Commonwealth of Nations, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Australia's climate varies dramatically depending on the region. In the north the climate is tropical, in the south it is temperate. The tropical region, covering about 40% of Australia, has two seasons: a hot and humid period (rains occur in February and March) and a warm and dry period. Average monthly temperature in summer in the northern and central parts of Australia it 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 at almost any time of the year, but the wettest months are summer. Some regions experience annual periods of drought (resulting in bushfires, one of the most serious occurred in 1994 in New South Wales) or floods. The Australian continent has quite expressive vegetation, characteristic only of it: of the 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 plant species were introduced. Most plants in Australia are evergreen. In the northeast of the country there are tropical forests, as well as deciduous ones. Palms and ferns grow together with oak, ash, and birch. On the northern coast there are mangroves. Telopea truncata and other Australian plants add color to the northern forests. Huon pine and King William pine grow along the east coast and in Tasmania, producing valuable timber. The forests of the southeast and southwest are dominated by eucalyptus, of which there are more than 500 species; individual trees reach a height of 90 m. In Western Australia, species of eucalyptus grow that are distinguished by their hardness and durability of wood. There are especially many wild flowers in the region. Australia is also home to more than 500 species of acacia: the golden acacia flower is the country's national flower and is featured 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 of Australia's over 700 bird species and 19 mammal species have been wiped out; 36 species of birds and 49 species of mammals are under threat of extinction. One of the surprising features of Australia is the absence of representatives of most of the orders represented on other continents. However, oviparous mammals abound in Australia - the platypus, an aquatic mammal covered with fur and having a duck-like beak; 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 great red kangaroo and the true gray kangaroo, jumping up to 9 meters in length; The wallaby and the kangaroo rat are the smallest representatives. Some marsupials also live in trees: opossums and koalas. Famous marsupials include wombats, Australian bundy-coots, and the marsupial mouse. A rare predator lives on the island of Tasmania - the marsupial devil. One of the typically Australian animals is the dingo. Reptiles are also quite widely represented: among them are two species of crocodile, one of which, the saltwater crocodile, reaches a length of 6 m; 500 1 species of lizards, among which the gecko, skink, and monitor lizard stand out. There are about 100 species of venomous snakes in Australia, most notably the taipan in the north, the Australian tiger snake and pit viper in the south, and the magnificent Australian copperhead and black snake in the rest of the region. Coastal waters are home to a large number of marine animals: in the south there are several species of whales, and on some parts of the southern coast - seals, in northern waters - dugong and sea cucumber. A fairly large number of dangerous animals live in the coastal waters of Australia: about 70 species of sharks, including black sharks and reef sharks; Australian jellyfish - a sea wasp - one touch of which can end tragically; sea ​​snake, reaching 3 m in length and whose bite is fatal; 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, characterized by an eerie laugh, lyrebird, a large number of parrots and cockatoos, black swans, thin-billed petrel and many others.
Among the natural attractions of Australia, Uluru National Park stands out, where Uluru is located - the largest monolith in the world - 348 m high and 9 km in circumference; The Great Barrier Reef is 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 Australia Museum (opened 1827) in Sydney has rich collections of artifacts from the area natural history and anthropology; Sydney is also home to the National Maritime Museum. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Nicholson Museum of Antiquity. The National Gallery of Victoria, located in Melbourne, contains an interesting exhibition of European and Australian artists. Also famous are the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide; Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth. In Queensland there is a famous herbarium; Victoria Museum. Royal Botanical Garden and the National Herbarium - in Melbourne. Other attractions include the following: in Frementle, oldest city Australia, magnificent examples of colonial architecture; in Perth - Anglican and Catholic cathedrals; in Adelaide - Anglican Cathedral of St. Peter's, Catholic Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, in Balla Rat - a restored gold mining town of the mid-19th century; in Melbourne - St. Patrick's Day, Royal Mint, James Cook Memorial in Fitzroy Gardens. Adelaide hosts the annual Formula 1 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, and Taronga Zoo. The small town of Broken Hill, which is a city of artists, also attracts tourists; Broken Hill has several contemporary art galleries. The main resort cities of Australia are located on the east coast: Townsville, Tueumba and the most popular - the Gold Coast, famous for its marine park with sharks and dolphins, a casino, and excellent surfing conditions.

Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .