Commonwealth of Australia

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COUNTRY NAME

• Conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia
• Conventional short form: Australia

 ETYMOLOGY OF AUSTRALIA

• Australia derives its name from the Latin word “Australis”, meaning Southern.
• Roman legends have often referred to an “unknown land of the south”.
• The Spanish were the first to sail through the Pacific Ocean in 1521.
• The word “Australia” was first used in 1625.
• The Dutch referred to the newly discovered land as “Australische”.
• The name "Australia" was popularized by the 1814 work “A Voyage to Terra Australis” by Matthew Flinders.
• The continent was officially named “Australia” in 1824.

AUSTRALIA CAPITAL CITY

• Canberra is the capital city of Australia.
• Sydney is the largest city.

AUSTRALIA CURRENCY

• The Australian Dollar is the official currency of Australia.

HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA

• The Aborigines were the original inhabitants of Australia.
• The Aborigines are believed to have migrated from Southeast Asia.
• Australia was discovered by European explorers in the 17th century.
• The Dutch landed at the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1606.
• The territory came to be known as New Holland in 1616.
• The British reached the continent in 1688.
• Captain James Cook traveled to Australia on a voyage in 1770.
• In 1770, Great Britain took over the land and named it “New South Wales”.
• A British penal colony was set up at Port Jackson in 1788.
• The system of deporting prisoners to the new territory was suspended in 1839.
• By 1859, six colonies were set up by former prisoners and free settlers in different regions.
• Rich agricultural and mineral resources promoted the expansion of settlements.
• The six colonies eventually became individual states.
• In 1901, the states were federated into the Commonwealth of Australia.
• The constitution incorporated British parliamentary and U.S. federal traditions.
• Australia fought alongside Britain during the World War I.
• During the World War II, Australia established close ties with the United States. Immigrants from Asia diversified the ethnic and cultural fabric of the country.
• An Aboriginal movement began in the 1960s.
• The movement contributed towards full citizenship rights and improved education for the country's poorest socioeconomic group.
• In Sept. 1999, Australia led the international peacekeeping force sent to restore order in East Timor.
• In July 2003, Australia successfully restored order to the Solomon Islands.

DEMOGRAPHICS OF AUSTRALIA

• 90% of the population is of European descent.
• Majority of the people are of British or Irish ethnic origin.
• The government promotes racial harmony based on a policy of multiculturalism.
• During the 20th century, large number of immigrants migrated from Asia and Oceania.
• Perth, Western Australia is one of the most isolated regional capital cities in the world.
• The Indigenous population—mainland Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders make up for 2.2% of the total population.
• The Aborigines are one of the most underdeveloped and poor communities in Australia.
• In recent years, Australia has experienced a demographic shift towards an older population.
• English is the national language of Australia,
• Australian English has its own distinctive accent and vocabulary.
• 80% of the population speaks English as a mother tongue.
• Chinese, Italian and Greek are spoken by minority communities.
• A considerable proportion of first- and second-generation migrants are bilingual.
• Only about 70 of Australian Aboriginal languages have survived of which 20 are now endangered.
• An indigenous language remains the main language for about 0.25% of the population.
• Australia has a sign language known as Auslan which is used by a large number of deaf people.
• Less than 15% of Australians live in rural areas.
• Australia has no state religion.
• 64% of Australians follow Christianity.
• 26% are Roman Catholic and 19% are Anglican.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS AT AUSTRALIA

• Australia is run by a federal parliamentary democratic government.
• Administrative divisions comprise of 6 states and 2 territories.
• The territories include Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.
• The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
• Dependent areas include Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island and Macquarie Island.
• Australia Day (26 January, 1788) is observed as a national holiday.
• The Constitution was formed on 9 July, 1900.
• It was brought into effect on 1 January 1901.
• The Legal system is based on English common law.
• Australia accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations.
• A hereditary monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) is the chief of state.
• The monarch is represented by the Governor General.
• The prime minister is the head of government.
• The Cabinet ministers are nominated by the prime minister and sworn in by the governor general.
• The governor general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister.
• The leader of the majority party or coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general following legislative elections.
• The Legislative branch is represented by a bicameral Federal Parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• The Judicial branch is represented by the High Court.
• The chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general.

AUSTRALIA CULTURE

• Most aspects of Australian culture have Anglo-Celtic origins.
• The isolated environment as well as the indigenous culture contributed to the uniqueness of the culture.
• Modern Australian culture has been strongly influenced by American popular culture.
• Immigrants from Asia and other non-English speaking countries have also contributed to the cultural fabric of Australia.
• Australian literature, cinema, opera, music, painting, theatre, dance, and crafts have achieved international recognition.
• Australian visual arts originated from the cave and bark paintings done by indigenous peoples.
• Landscape has been the predominant theme in Australian art.
• The traditions of indigenous Australians are passed on from one generation to another through storytelling and ceremonies.
• Australian Aboriginal music, dance, and art have a considerable influence on contemporary Australian visual and performing arts.
• The National Gallery of Australia has valuable collections of Australian and overseas artworks.
• Music, ballet, and theatre play an important role in Australian tradition.
• Each state capital has a symphony orchestra and a national opera company.
• Australian music includes classical, jazz, and many popular genres.
• Ballet and dance are represented by The Australian Ballet and various state dance companies.
• Each state has a publicly funded theatre company.
• Australian literature has landscape and the Australian bush as the recurrent themes
• Modern Australian society lays emphasis on egalitarianism, mate-ship, and a perceived anti-authoritarianism.
• Australian English has a distinct pattern of lexical items and phrases.
• The usage of words and pronunciation varies across regions.
• Australian rules football originated in Victoria.
• Australia's film industry has achieved critical and commercial success at international level.
• Sports and outdoor activities play an important part in Australian culture.
• Popular sports include cricket, field hockey, netball, rugby league, and rugby union.
• Other sports include Australian Rules football, horse racing, soccer, and motor racing.

ECONOMY OF AUSTRALIA

• Australia’s per capita GDP is at par with that of the four dominant West European economies.
• Robust business, consumer confidence, high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products have contributed to economic growth.
• Emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom and growing ties with China have also favored economical development.
• In recent years, infrastructure bottlenecks and a tight labor markets have fuelled inflation.
• The GDP (purchasing power parity) as calculated in 2007 was $760.8 billion.
• 4.4% of the total population is unemployed.
• Agricultural products include wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep and poultry.
• The main industries are mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals and steel.
• Export commodities include coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment.
• Import commodities include machinery and transport equipment, office machines and computers, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products.

INFRASTRUCTURE OF AUSTRALIA

• Telecommunication services are highly developed and modernized.
• There is a significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density.
• Mobile cellular services are rapidly gaining popularity.
• There are 262 AM, 345 FM and 1 shortwave radio broadcast stations.
• There are 104 television broadcast stations.
• Internet facilities are widespread and readily available.
• Australia has 461 airports of which 317 have paved runways.
• The railway network covers a distance of 38,550 km.
• Roadways span over a distance of 812,972 km.
• Waterways are 2,000 km long and are mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling river systems.
• The merchant marine is equipped with 52 ships.
• The major ports and terminals are located at Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott and Sydney.

EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA

• Education in Australia follows the three-tier model which includes primary, secondary and tertiary education.
• Tertiary education can be pursued at universities and/or TAFE (Technical and Further Education Colleges).
• The Australian education system ranks 8th in the world.
• Education is compulsory up to the age of 15.
• In some states, the age limit for compulsory education extends to 17.
• Post-compulsory education is regulated within the Australian Qualifications Framework.
• School attendance is compulsory throughout the country.
• The adult literacy rate is estimated to be 99%.
• Majorities of the universities receive government funding.
• The country has a state-based system of vocational training.
• About 58% of Australians between the ages of 25 & 64 have vocational or tertiary qualifications.
• 49% of Australians hold a tertiary graduate degree.
• Government schools provide free education.
• Independent schools charge tuition fees and include religious and secular schools.
• All schools follow the same curriculum framework.
• Government or state schools run by the local state or territory government.
• Government schools may be of open or selective types.
• Open schools accept all students from their government defined areas.
• Selective schools admit academically gifted students.
• There are several performing arts and sports schools in Australia.

AUSTRALIA NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Australia is surrounded by:

• Indonesia (north)
• East Timor (north)
• Papua New Guinea (north)
• Solomon Islands (northeast)
• Vanuatu (northeast)
• New Caledonia (northeast)
• New Zealand (southeast)

AUSTRALIA GEOGRAPHICAL SETTINGS

• Australia is the only continent nation in the world.
• It is located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.
• Its geographic coordinates are 27 00 S, 133 00 E.
• The continent covers a total area of 7,686,850 sq km.
• The coastline is 25,760 km long.
• The climate is generally arid to semi-arid.
• The northern region has a tropical climate while the southern and eastern regions have a temperate climate.
• The terrain comprises of mostly low plateau with deserts.
• The southeastern region has fertile plains.
• Mount Kosciuszko is the highest point standing at 2,229 m.
• Natural resources include bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas and petroleum.
• 6.15% of the land is arable.
• Cyclones along the coast, severe droughts and forest fires are common occurrences.
• Australia is the smallest continent in the world.
• A breeze called "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast.
• Australia is separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor seas.
• The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef and extends for over 2,000 kilometers.
• Mount Augustus in Western Australia is said to be the world’s largest monolith.
• The desert region of Australia is known as the “outback”.
• Australia is also the flattest continent in the world.
• The continent is home to a wide variety of endemic plants, birds and animals.
• Unique species include the monotremes, marsupials, the saltwater and freshwater crocodiles and birds such as the emu and the kookaburra.
• Australia has the largest number of venomous snakes in the world.

AUSTRALIA FREEDOM

• Australia gained independence on1 January 1901.

NOTABLE PEOPLE IN THE AUSTRALIA COUNTRY

• Rhonda Byrne - author of the "The secret"
• Sandy Forster - prosperity mentor, author, international speaker
• Peter Garrett - Lead singer of Midnight Oil, politician and environmentalist
• Steve Irwin - TV personality
• Daniel Johns - Lead singer of the Newcastle band Silverchair
• Missy Higgins - singer and songwriter
• Paul Kelly - song writer, entertainer, and folk singer.
• Kylie Minogue - pop singer and entertainer
• Cate Blanchett - movie actress and Academy Award winner
• Rupert Murdoch - billionaire media magnate of News Corporation
• Brett Whiteley - painter and sculptor
• Nicole Kidman – Hollywood actress
• Patrick White – Author and Nobel Laureate for Literature.

AUSTRALIA COUNTRY FAMOUS FOR

• Australia is a world famous tourist destination.
• The country has many indigenous and endemic species of plants and animals.
• Australia is a popular choice among international students who wish to pursue higher education.
• The landscape of the continent has several unique and distinct features.

AUSTRALIA TOTAL POPULATION

• According to a 2008 census, the total population was estimated to be 20,600,856.
• The annual population growth rate is 0.801% (2008 est.)
• Birth rate: 11.9 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
• Death rate: 7.62 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

PREVIOUS OLYMPIC RECORDS AND MEDALS FOR AUSTRALIA

• Australia is one of the top five medal- winners at the Olympics.
• The country has competed at summer and Winter Olympic Games since 1952.
• Teddy Flack was the 1 st athlete to represent Australia at the Olympics.
• In 1908 and 1912 Australia competed under the name Australasia.
• Australia hosted the summer games in 1956 and 2000.
• Australia has won the most medals in swimming.
• Shane Gold holds a world record in swimming.
• Betty Cuthbert and Cathy Freeman are famous track athletes.
• Australia won a Winter Olympics medal for the first time in 1994.
• The country’s Olympic record is as follows:

Medals by Summer Games

Medals by Winter Games

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