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AUSTRALIA. LAND AND PEOPLE

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world. Its territory is 7.686.850 sq km. It is the only country that occupies a complete continent. The capital of the country is Canberra. The population of Australia is about 18.000.000.

There are 6 states and 2 territories. A long chain of mountains, the Great Dividing Range, runs along the Pacific Ocean. Mt. Kosciusko is the highest peak of Australia. It is also the driest continent in the world. About one third of the land is desert. Australia has 4 main deserts. The Great Barrier Reef is a garden under the sea. It has 400 species of corals. Rivers (the Darling River, the Murray) fill with water only during the rainy season. The largest lakes are Lake Eyre and Lake Torrents.

Australia is known for its marsupials, including koalas, kangaroos, spiny anteaters and the platypus. Native birds include the world’s only black swans, the emus and the cassowary. The platypus and the echidna are among the strangest Australian animals. They are the only animals that hatch their young from eggs.

Australia has many national parks, where wild life is protected. Kakadu national Park is Australia’s largest national park. In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 1500 species of fish live.

Large cities are Sydney and Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Darwin.

Canberra is a federal capital of Australia. It is also an administrative centre of New South Wales. Its population is 280.000. The city is situated in a wide valley, scattered wit gum trees on the both sides of the dark blue Lake Burley Griffin. The Molingo River flows through Canberra.

Sydney is the chief city and port of Australia. Population of Sydney is 305 million people. The city covers 4.700 sq. miles. Sydney is gateway to Australia. It is also the oldest Australian city. Captain Cook stopped at Botany Bay in 1770. Sydney received its first shiploads of convicts, 750 men and women on January 26, 1788.

Sydney has one of the most spectacular harbours in the world where snow white yachts sail lazily under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The famous Sydney opera House looks like sails or waves when they break on the beach. It is set like a diamond against the blue waters.

Perth is a capital and commercial centre of Western Australia. Its population is over 500.000. It lies on the Swan River. Perth is a sunny and cozy city. The city grew rapidly after settlers discovered gold. In King’s Park you can see lazy curves of the Swan River dotted with Black swans the specie native only to Australia.

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria. Its area is 714 sq. miles and population is over 3 million. It is a multi-cultural city. It is home to many cultural groups speaking 170 languages. Melbourne is the Culture Capital of Australia. The Melbourne Zoo is the oldest in the world. The city is also a seaport and a trading centre of wool and livestock.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Population of Australia is about 18.000.000. 85% of the people live in the urban areas. 40% of Australians live in Sydney and Melbourne.



Australia has a young population. 95% of the people are Caucasian. 60% of these have Anglo-Celtic heritage. Because of immigration Australia is a mosaic of many nationalities.

There are 257.000 full and part aborigines. Their culture is recognized as an integral part of Australia’s heritage.

English is the national language and is taught in all schools. Australian English uses many words that are expressions of Australia’s unique culture. Some Australian slang may be offensive to other English speakers. Australian accent looks like English Cockney.

Public education is administered by state governments and financed by federal funds. Each state and territory makes its own laws about education. 25% of all Australian children attend private schools. The school year is divided into 4 terms of 10 weeks each. The Christmas holidays begin the summer vacations.

The literacy rate is 99%. Most Australians completed 11 years of schooling. All states have universities, colleges and institutes. There 33 Universities, 3 of them are private. Many of Australians have completed some higher education.

76% of the people are Christians, but religion doesn’t play a great role in their daily life.

The Aborigines had highly developed artistic traditions. They adopted some European technique and painted scenes of the Australian desert. The Australian Natural Gallery in Canberra houses the country’s natural art collection.

Australia has a National Opera Company and the Australian Ballet. Each state capital has a company of professional actors. They stage classic and modern plays. In recent years Australian film industry has been great success.

The most popular sports in Australia are cricket, football and soccer, swimming, surfing.

 

 

ABORIGINES

Aborigines came to Australia over 40.000 years ago by sea or a land bridge. Aborigines keep track of their past through folklore. They believe in Dreaming- they guard and honour spirits created the land and life. The main job of aborigines was to find food. They all are expert hunters and food finders. They never over-pick fruits and vegetables and leave some to grow for the next year. All their weapons were made of wood and rock.

They did not build houses because they were constantly moving to new places of hunting. They did not wear clothes because it was hot. They became experts in finding water in the desert. They knew how to dig to find water in bodies of frogs, in hollow logs and in roots. After a hunt Aborigines shared equally with everyone. Today there are few true Aborigines left. They work in cities and on large sheep stations.

The Aborigines spoke more than 250 languages; only 50 of them have survived. Many people speak Aboriginal English. Some Aboriginal words entered English: kangaroo, boomerang.

Aboriginal art began with simple symbols. Concentric circles could mean a camp site, a tree or meeting place. For thousands of years, aboriginal tribes have created elaborate sand and body painting using sand, ochres, blood and feathers for ceremonies.

 

 

AUSTRALIAN WAYS

Australia is a clean country. There is a stiff fine for littering. Australians are friendly and easy-going. Many people frequent local pubs. Being prompt is important. When conversing, Australians often gesture. Australians are outgoing and relaxed in public. They express feelings openly.

Australians greet friends with G’Day and a warm handshake. Close female friends may hug and kiss on the right cheek. People prefer to use first names. From distance, a wave is a greeting.

There are strong rules of basic etiquette in Australia. Winking at women is considered inappropriate. Pointing at someone with the index finger is impolite. One points with an open hand.

Australians enjoy visiting others to dinner. One popular reason for getting together is the barbecue. When invited by friends, people offer to bring something to the meal. The hosts may accept or decline the offer.

The food in Australia is a result of a great diversity of cultures. Australians eat in the continental style: the fork is in the left and the knife is in the right hand. Beef is the most popular meat. Australians prefer plain, not spicy meal. Crocodile Bread is bread with bacon, green peppers and cheese and looks like crocodile when it is made. Sausage Rolls soup is rather popular. Tea is a favourite hot drink in Australia. Coffee comes second. A favourite dessert was created by Western Australian chef Bert Sachse in honour of ballerina Anna Pavlova. The pavlova shell or ‘pav’, rich with whipped cream and ice-cream, is a wonderful dessert which should appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. One distinctive of restaurant in Australia is the BYO- Bring Your Own. The BYO restaurant allows you to bring your own bottle of wine, and the waiter will open it and serve it for you.

The average family has 2 or 3 children. Society is family oriented. Teenagers are rather independent. Home is valued highly and is a part of the Australian Dream. The average age for marriage is about 34; church weddings are still common.


Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1338


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