Australia

It is the worlds largest island and its smallest continent.

Where is Australia?

Map

Facts Population: million Money: Australian Dollar Language: English Main City:Canberra Length: 7,741,220 km

The capital of Australia is Canberra.

The continent of Australia is mostly a great plain with mountains in the east and south- east.

Climate Weather and Climate Seasons in Australia are the opposite of those in Europe. Summer runs from November through to March while winter is from May to August. There are, however, huge variations throughout the country: New South Wales, the centre of Western Australia and Queensland have hot summers and mild winters but Victoria and Tasmania can experience chilly winters, combined with short days..

THE STRANGE WORLD OF AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS Australia has been called the land of differences and the continent of contrasts. There are many ways in which it is different from other countries. The first thing most people think of are the strange native animals

There are many wild animals in Australia. Some of them, such as The kangaroo the koala the dingo or wild dog are not found in any other country of the world

Animals There are many different species of wildlife in Australia. Marsupials are the most successful group in Australia. This group includes kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, Tasmanian wolves, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and many others. The platypus and the echidna are egg-laying mammals. There are also numerous different species of birds. Some of them are cockatoo, kookaburra, lyrebird, the flightless emu, and several types of parrots. Bandicoot Brolga, Cuscus, Dingo, Dunnart, Echidna, Emu, Frilled, Lizard, Goanna, Kangaroo, BrolgaCuscusDingoDunnartEchidnaEmuFrilled, LizardGoannaKangaroo Koala, Koala Kookaburra, Kultarr, Lyrebird, KookaburraKultarrLyrebird Marsupial, Mole, Nabarlek, Numbat, Owl, Platypus, Possum, Potoroo, Quokka, Rabbit, Rat, Snakes, Tasmanian, Devil, Tasmanian Tiger, Wallaby, Wombat Marsupial, MoleNabarlekNumbatOwlPlatypusPossumPotorooQuokka RabbitRatSnakesTasmanian, DevilTasmanian TigerWallabyWombat

Kangaroos are the largest marsupials and inhabit forest and bushland in Australia and Tasmania. It has large hind legs, a strong tail, small forelegs, and long ears. They usually get around by hopping. Females have a pouch for carrying their young. The pregnancy may be as short as 25 days but the young are born prematurely so they must live in the pouch for up to eight months. The Kangaroo

The koala The koala is known as the Australian bear, but is much closer to being a relative of the kangaroo. They are only found wild in the woods of Australia. Koalas live in Queensland and Victoria. Koalas are 2 to 2 1/2 feet long, tailless, and have thick, soft, grayish fur. They have large furry ears, a curved, black nose, little eyes, and five toes on each foot so it can hold on to things and climb.

Dingo Dingoes look like wild dogs and can be dark brown, reddish or black, and sometimes they have spots, lop ears and upswept tails. They have been known to go after sheep, cattle, other dingoes intruding on their territory, and small rodents, such as rabbits, Tasmanian devils, and marsupial wolves. Sometimes, they will even go after kangaroos.

The Emu Emus live anywhere in Australia's open country. The emu is the second largest bird, standing about 1.5 m. (5 ft.) tall and weighing 55 kg. If endangered, they can defend themselves by kicking. They are covered with grayish-brown hairlike feathers. They have a long neck and legs and a short,stubby tail.

Kookaburras are birds that can be found in Australia and New Guinea. They are 18 inches long. They sometime catche fish and live on large insects, mice, small birds, and small snakes. Kookaburras live in tree holes.

Plants Musa basjoo coconut trees Piper Methysticum (Kava) Thunbergia mysorensis aka Lady Slipper Creeper cycads -full sun

Eucalyptus trees

Famous People Evener Goolagong Cawley Aboriginal Tennis player Captain James Cook British Captain who discovered and claimed Australia for Britain Margaret Court Professional Tennis player William Dampier British navigator who explored Australia Edward Eyre British explorer who explored Australias wastelands Mathew Flinders British mariner who named Australia Howard Walter Florey Won noble prize for discovering penicillin Errol Flynn Famous actor Mary Gilmore First female member of Australia Work Union Arthur Phillip Founded New South Wales

Famous People

Dame Edna