History of Australia Geographical position Climate Flora and fauna Culture Sydney

History of Australia Terra Australis' was the last landmass to be discovered by European explorers. Talks of this mystical land and the riches made explorers to sail into the unknown. Captain James Cook arrived in the Botany Bay in 1770 and that great southern land was officially claimed by Europeans.

Captain Cook's visits in 1770 and opened the continent for the English. The first settlers were convicts who came from Britain in Twenty-five years later there were 10,000 people living in the small area of lowlands near Sydney. After 1851, when gold was found in Australia, the population of the country greatly increased.

Australia is an island continent situated south-east of Asia between the Pacific and Indian oceans. It is 2,400 miles from east to west and nearly 2,000 miles from north to south. The Australian Commonwealth occupies the whole of the continent and the island of Tasmania. It has an area of almost 3 million square miles, nearly as large as the United States.

The Australian environment is unique. From unspoilt beaches, tropical rainforest, rugged mountain ranges and vast tracts of desert, Australia is a country of contrast. Home to an amazing 16 World Heritage listed areas, Australia's diversity is yours to enjoy.

Climate With the reverse seasons of the northern hemisphere, Australia enjoys a largely temperate climate. Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or an amazing 70 per cent of the total possible hours. With the reverse seasons of the northern hemisphere, Australia enjoys a largely temperate climate. Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or an amazing 70 per cent of the total possible hours.

Flora and fauna Flora and fauna

Most Australian woody plant species are evergreen and many are adapted to fire and drought, including many eucalyptus and acacias. Australia has a rich variety of endemic legume. Well-known Australian fauna include monotremes (the platypus and echidna); a host of marsupials, including the kangaroo, koala, wombat; and birds such as the emu, and kookaburra. The dingo was introduced by Austronesian people that traded with Indigenous Australians around 4000 BCE. Many plant and animal species became extinct soon after human settlement, including the Australian megafauna; others have become extinct since European settlement, among them the Thylacine.

The Australian love of life shows in their culture. Whether spent appreciating the arts or exploring the great outdoors, leisure time is an important aspect of Australian life. Their multicultural diversity has also influenced their culture, from Chinese New Year to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Since 1788, the primary basis of Australian culture until the mid-20th century has been Anglo-Celtic, although distinctive Australian features had been evolving from the environment and indigenous culture. Over the past 50 years, Australian culture has been strongly influenced by American popular culture (particularly television and cinema), large-scale immigration from non-English-speaking countries, and Australia's Asian neighbours. The vigour and originality of the arts in Australia - films, opera, music, painting, theatre, dance, and crafts - achieve international recognition.

Sydney has 4 million inhabitants - the biggest city of Australia, bright "gate" of the country. Huge quantity of sights involve not only wishing to see all magnificence of city, but also to receive qualitative formation in the educational institutions having world glory

The main sight, symbol of city is the Opera House, a unique architectural construction of opera theatre. In Sydney there are the highest buildings of Australia - the Sydney tower and headquarters of the largest insurance company of the country, and also grandiose bridge Harbor the Bridge, the tremendous kind on city whence opens.

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