I bring to your attention a selection of interesting facts about Australia:

Name:
The name "Australia" comes from the Latin. terra australis incognita - “unknown southern land” (Latin australis - southern, south).
Australia was originally called New South Wales.
The nickname of the Green Continent is The land down under.
In simple colloquial speech, Australians use the word "Oz" to refer to Australia, and the Australian population uses the word "Aussie" to refer to the adjective "Australian".

Flag:
In addition to the Southern Cross flag, Australia has two other official flags - the Continental Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag.

Coat of arms:
The Australian coat of arms shows a kangaroo and an emu together. The reason for this was the fact that kangaroos and emus do not have the physical ability to move backwards, but can only move forward.

Language:
80% of Australians speak English.
Australia has its own dialect of English, informally called “strine”, from the Australian pronunciation of the word “Australian”.

Rocks "Twelve Apostles"

origin of name

Even ancient geographers were convinced of the existence of a hypothetical land in the Southern Hemisphere, which on the maps of those times was designated as Terra Australis Incognita - “unknown southern land.” This name was first put on the map in the 2nd century by Ptolemy of Alexandria, who assumed that Africa in the south passes into an as yet undiscovered continent.

The Dutch sailors, who were the first to reach this land, gave it the name “New Holland”. In 1814, the English navigator Matthew Flinders was the first European to circumnavigate the continent and suggested calling it Terra Australis, “as it would be more pleasant to the ear.” But his proposal was not immediately accepted, and only in 1817, the governor of the state of South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, began to use the name “Australia” in official documents and invited the Colonial Office of the British Empire to accept, which was done in 1824.

Big cities

Flora and fauna

The even, warm climate, the diversity of natural conditions in different parts of the continent and the long-term isolation of the continent contributed to the fact that the evolutionary processes of Australia were not as rapid as on other continents. Thanks to this, amazing plants and animals, long extinct on other continents, have survived to this day. Of the 12 thousand species of vegetation, more than 9 thousand are endemic, not found anywhere else in the world. Due to the fact that the climate of the continent is mostly arid, the plants here are dry-loving, among them the most famous are eucalyptus and bottle tree. The tropical forests of the north are rich in umbrella acacias, huge eucalyptus trees (up to a hundred meters in height!), bamboo, various types of ficus and palm trees. Eastern subtropical evergreen forests amaze with huge twenty-meter ferns and tree-like horsetail.

Unique animals live in the vastness of Australia; not only do they not exist anywhere else on the planet, they simply cannot survive anywhere else, as they feed on plants that grow only here. Almost 90% of the continent's fauna are endemic. Of the 235 species of mammals, half are marsupials. On the mainland, “living fossils” have survived to this day - the platypus and the echidna. Australia is the only continent where there are no ungulates or monkeys. There are two surviving carnivores here - the Tasmanian devil, a carnivorous marsupial, and the dingo. One of the symbols of Australia, the Tasmanian devil, used to live throughout the mainland, but humans and dingoes pushed it out to Tasmania.

The bird world of Australia is extremely rich, numbering 720 species of birds, almost half of which are endemic. Emu ostriches, cockatoos, cassowaries, black swans, honey sucking birds, birds of paradise, lyrebirds are recognized symbols of the continent.

There are no predators here, but there are many other dangerous representatives of the animal world - in Australia there are 65 species of poisonous snakes. If you see a sign prohibiting swimming, do not ignore the warning - deadly jellyfish and sharks are found in coastal waters. Blue-ringed octopuses are among the most poisonous animals on the planet.

The appearance of man did not have the best effect on flora and fauna; many of their unique representatives were irretrievably destroyed. But now, thanks to the efforts of the government, the situation is changing dramatically - compliance with environmental laws is strictly controlled. Many nature conservation parks and reserves have been created. It was possible to restore some species of animals and plants that were on the verge of extinction. National parks have given impetus to the development of tourism. In many protected areas, interesting tourist routes have been created that allow you to touch the past of the planet and observe with your own eyes the life of Australia’s wildlife.

Geographical features

Australia ranks last among continents in terms of area, which is 7.7 million square kilometers. Australia has no borders with any state. The continent's shores are washed by the seas of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Australia is the only continent without glaciers or volcanoes. Most of the country's territory is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, there are fertile lands in the east and southwest, and in the north there are woodlands, savannas and jungles of the Arnhem Land Peninsula.

The most fertile areas of the country are the coastal ones. Thanks to the moist sea winds carrying precipitation, they receive enough water for vegetation; there are alpine meadows and tropical jungles.

The Great Barrier Reef, a unique attraction of Australia, stretches along the northeastern coast for 2000 kilometers. Many of the reef islands have become luxury resorts.

There are mountains on the mainland, but there are few of them, only 5% of the entire territory, and the smaller half of them are above 1000 meters. In the mountain range of the Great Dividing Range, rising on the east coast, is the highest point of the continent - Cape Kosciuszko with an altitude of 2228 meters.

Australia's main rivers flow through the southeast of the country. There are only two large rivers - the Murray, 2.5 thousand kilometers long, and the Darling, whose length is no more than 2,000 kilometers. The Murray is a deeper river that maintains a constant flow, while the Darling dries up during the hot season. The island of Tasmania boasts an abundance of deep and fast rivers.

The south of Australia is replete with salt lakes that have no drainage and fill only during the rainy season. The largest lake is Eyre with an area of ​​9.5 thousand square kilometers. Eyre is 16 meters below sea level and is the lowest point on the mainland.

Story

The ancestors of the aborigines, immigrants from the island of New Guinea, began to populate the mainland many thousands of years ago. The idyllic existence of the indigenous people was first disrupted in the 17th century by Dutch explorers. Europeans landed in the north of the continent and discovered a large nearby island, which they named Tasmania after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman.

Almost a hundred years later, in 1770, James Cook arrived here. He explored the eastern lands of the mainland, named them New South Wales and declared them the property of Britain. A decade later, Europeans began to actively settle new lands.

The first inhabitants of the continent were criminals. At that time, England deported its convicts to North America, but this punishment had to be stopped with the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.

The English government decided to use the very opportunely discovered new lands and developed a plan to send convicts to New South Wales. In January 1788, the first flotilla reached the distant mainland. There were 1,373 people on board the 11 ships, 700 of them were criminals. Soon the new arrivals founded a settlement, which later became the city of Sydney. And now on January 26, residents of the Green Continent celebrate Australia Day.

Over the next 80 years, another 160,000 criminals were sent to Australia. And in the second half of the 19th century, gold was found on the continent, a gold rush began, and more than 40 thousand Chinese emigrants came here in search of fortune.

Since World War II, the country has welcomed thousands of migrants from 200 countries, making Australia one of the most diverse countries in the world.

State structure. Population

Australia is a federal parliamentary state. Formally, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II of England, but executive power is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister.

The Federation consists of 6 states:

• New South Wales, a hub for cultural, entertainment and sporting events.
• Western Australia, which occupies almost a third of the continent and consists almost entirely of deserts. Three-quarters of the country's gold is mined here and one-fifth of the world's aluminum is produced. The state has the highest average income, but also the largest population shortage due to its hot climate. The size of the state is comparable to Western Europe.
• Queensland, named after Queen Victoria, is famous for its banana plantations and the Great Barrier Reef.
• Victoria, the smallest state with developed skiing. The history and development of the state is closely connected with the gold rush.
• South Australia is famous for its wine and the fact that this state has never accepted prisoners.
• Tasmania, almost half the state is protected World Heritage Sites.

In addition to the states, the Commonwealth of Australia includes two mainland territories - the Northern and Capital Territories. And also several small areas. Half of the Northern Territory's land is owned by Aboriginal people and is the country's most sparsely populated and least urbanized region. The capital territory at one time separated from South Wales, and Canberra, the capital of Australia, was built here in 1927.

Australia is a country with a highly developed economy, the largest exporter of beef and wool, and also exports large quantities of wheat, lamb, and minerals. Accordingly, the standard of living of the population is consistently high.

The country ranks 50th in the world in terms of population. About 24 million people live in Australia, of which 230 thousand are indigenous people. Aboriginal people received their legal rights only in the 60s of the last century and they live mainly in reserves and national parks of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

According to the Australian Constitution, no religion is authorized by law or receives financial support from the state. Australians are free to practice any religion and be free of any creed.

Population densities vary. If up to 80% of the population is concentrated in cities, then in other areas the density may be less than one person per square kilometer. This is explained by the fact that more than half of the country’s territory is unsuitable for human habitation due to the extremely hot climate.

Australians are friendly and open people; their temperament mixes the features of Puritan Great Britain with the cheerful character of people from America. Local residents prefer a casual style in casual clothing; they are friendly and smiling with foreigners.

Holidays

• January 1 - 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.

Helpful information

The national currency is the Australian dollar. Along with paper money, the world's first plastic money is in use here. It is more profitable to exchange currencies in banks; it is important to remember that they are closed on weekends.

From the Green Continent, tourists bring crocodile leather products, the famous Australian ugg boots, and original aboriginal crafts - boomerangs, spears, ritual masks. You can buy opals inexpensively here. Various souvenirs made from eucalyptus are very popular among travelers. Many people buy clothes made from unique merino wool. If you buy goods worth more than $300, you will get back 9.1% of the amount spent, you just need to keep your receipt.

You cannot import food, weapons, some medicines, products of animal and plant origin, wood products and even soil on the soles. You can import duty-free goods worth no more than $900, 50 cigarettes and 1 liter of alcohol. At the airport of arrival, you and your luggage will be disinfected with a special product.

Remember - in Australia, spitting on the streets, smoking in public places and driving while intoxicated are punishable by large fines.

Driving in Australia is on the left, so tourists need to be extremely careful. Due to the long distances, the most popular transport in the country is airplanes.

Traveling by bus is also in demand in the country.

Rail transport is almost undeveloped due to the difficulties of laying a railway.

You can rent a car if you have an international license, have more than 1 year of driving experience, and are over 21 years old and under 75 years old. A deposit will be required.

If you go deep into the continent, stock up on food, water, fuel and be sure to take a satellite phone with you, since mobile communications do not work everywhere.

Be extremely careful in nature - there are many poisonous snakes and insects around, brush up on the rules of first aid for bites of poisonous animals.

The mains voltage is 240/250 Volts; adapters will be needed for Asian and European devices.

Australia has 3 time zones. Time in Canberra is 7 hours ahead of Moscow.

A quarter of its inhabitants were born outside of Australia.

Australia is the most law-abiding country in the world, although the ancestors of many of its citizens are deported criminals.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets to Australia

Australia flag.

Australia (Union of Australia, 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.

State structure

The Commonwealth of Australia consists of six states, former 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 the Australians, at least a quarter of those who came here over the past half century include 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.

Geography

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.

Climate

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 quite clearly manifested only in the far north and far 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 wettest climate - with warm, windy winters and cool summers (although summers are rainless in the west) - is 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.

Natural attractions

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 of different types of flora and fauna are preserved.

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, lies Kakadu National Park - a paradise of crocodiles, where sacred rocks painted by Aboriginal people 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.

Culture

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 promontory rises the famous, shell-shaped, ultra-modern building of the Sydney Opera House - a symbol of the 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 - the birthplace of Australian winemaking.

Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, retains a small 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 as 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.

Cities

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 is a favorite vacation spot for city residents.

Australia. Fountain in Adelaide.

Holidays in Australia

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; sledding down sand dunes, surfing on 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.

115 km north of Brisbane stretches another extensive resort area - 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. The most famous ski resorts outside the country are Thredbo, Smiggin Holes, and 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, excursions are organized to the Hunter River Valley (180 km north of the city) - a wine-growing region and to the South Bank (250 km) - to the world of old Australia, kangaroos and pioneer villages. The center of tourism is the Northern Territory, where the savannahs with rivers (there are crocodiles) near the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Uluru massif, near which the new hotel complex is located, and the deserts around Alice Springs with the Sheraton Hotel are equally popular.

Tourist routes

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, opossums 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) is a remnant of the Peterman mountain range, the age of the monolith is 450 million years. 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 examples of 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 great adventure: follow the trail and hunt kangaroos, wild boars, goats, huge feral 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 relaxation.

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 further 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 take exciting boat trips on sailboats and boats, and get acquainted with the inhabitants of the underwater world of the 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.

National cuisine

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.

Holidays

January 1 - 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 continent's considerable age, wide variety of weather conditions and long-term geographic 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 that occasionally appear in coastal waters are deadly. 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 the first batch of exiles was landed on the east coast. 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 and concisely, without going 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 to concert halls and the best restaurants, of course, you need 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 debates. 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, bladed weapons and firearms, protected plants, animals and products from them into the country. 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, valid for the period of your 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. The minimum driving experience is 2 years.

Area of ​​Australia. 7682292 km2 (continental area - 7631500 km2).

Population of Australia. 23.80 million people (

Australia GDP. $1.454 trl. (

Location of Australia. - a country on the mainland of Australia. Together with the nearby island, Tasmania forms the Commonwealth of Australia. In the north it is washed by and the Torres Strait, in the east by and, in the south by the Bass Strait and in the west by the Indian Ocean. The Union also owns the islands of Cartier, Ashmore, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Heard Islands, MacDonald Islands, and Norfolk.

Administrative divisions of Australia. The state is divided into 6 states and 2 territories.

Australian form of government. Federal parliamentary democracy.

Head of State of Australia. The Queen, represented by the Governor-General.

Australia's highest legislative body. Parliament (Senate and House of Representatives).

Australia's highest executive body. Government.

Major cities in Australia. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.

National language of Australia. English.

Religion of Australia. 26% are Anglicans, 26% are followers of the Roman Church, 24% are followers of other Christian denominations.

Ethnic composition of Australia. 92% - , 7% - Asians, 1% - Aboriginals.

Australian currency. Australian dollar = 100 cents.

On the one hand, the country retains the influence of English culture, sometimes manifested in restraint, stiffness, and puritanism; on the other hand, many observers note the similarity of 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. They are extremely laconic and consider brevity to be a wonderful quality. Business proposals should be presented simply, concisely, without going into details. When describing a product, you need to 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 to concert halls and the best restaurants, of course, you need an appropriate suit.