GLIMPSES OF AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
Capital: Canberra Offcial name: Commonwealth of Australia
Area: 7,686,850 km2 Population: 20 million
Highest point: Mount Kosciuszko, 2,228 metres above sea level
Lowest point: Lake Eyre, 15 metres below sea level
Australia is the only country that is also a continent. It is the sixth largest country in the world and is in the smallest continent - Oceania. It is a mainly dry country with only a few coastal areas that have adequate rainfall to support a large population. Approximately 80% of Australians live in the south-eastern coastal area, which includes Australia's two largest cities – Melbourne and Sydney. The centre of the continent, which is mainly desert and dry grassland, has few settlements.
Australia is famous for its huge, open spaces, bright sunshine, enormous number of sheep and cattle and its unusual wildlife, which include kangaroos and koalas. Australia is a popular destination with tourists from all over the world who come to experience its unique ecology.
Australia is made up of six states. Like the states in America, Australian states are autonomous in some areas of government. However, Australia has a federal government responsible for matters that affect people all over the country, such as defence, foreign policy and taxation. The federal parliament is located in Canberra.
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES PLANNED AROUND AUSTRALIA
On 26 January, Australia Day, in over 200 locations across the nation , more than 9,000 people will become Australian citizens.
"By these citizenship ceremonies we welcome those who have come from overseas from many different cultural and social backgrounds into our communities and our nation," said the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. "Australia Day celebrations that include people from so many birthplaces are an excellent way to encourage tolerance, respect and friendship among all the people of Australia."
Most citizenship ceremonies will be followed by displays of singing and dancing from many of the migrants' homelands and the tasting of food from all over the world.
Go by plane and see clouds
Go by TRAIN and see Australia
Enjoy 3 nights on board the Indian-Pacific
On this 4,352-km journey from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide you'll view some ot Australias unique scenery from the superb Blue Mountains to the treeless plains of the Nuliarbor. Along the way you will spot a fascinating variety of wildlife.
Enjoy 2 nights on board the Ghan
As you travel from Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs, you'll observe some of Australia's
most spectacular landscapes - from the rolling hills surrounding Adelaide to the rusty reds of
Australia's centre and the tropical splendour of Darwin.
For more information, timetables and fares go to www.gsr.com.au/trains.htm
Dear Shen Ping,
I wish you could see this amazing rock. It is part of one of Australia's 14 Worm Heritage Sites and
rises about 335 metres out of a vast, flat sandy plain. A t different times of the day it appears to
change co/our, from grey-red at sunrise, to golden and finally to burning red at dusk. Aboriginal people have lived near Uluru for thousands of years and yout can walk around it with an Aboriainal guide to learn about their customs, art, religion and day-to-day life. It is also possible to climb the rock, but most people don't do this out of respect for the Aboriginal people who consider the rock to be sacred. I’ll be back in Sydney in a fortnight because I've made a reservation on the Indian Pacific train to Perth.
love Jack
Tours outside Hobart
Drive 250 km northwestwards from Hobart along the A10 highway and you'll arrive at the southern end of the magnificent Cradle Mountain National Park and World Heritage area. This park is famous for its mountain peaks, lakes and ancient forests. A popular attraction for active tourists is the 80-km walking track that joins the southern and northern ends of the park. There are also a range of short walks.
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