Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia

Australia

Is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans

History and Culture

Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians.

After discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606

1770 captain James Cook

Australia's eastern half

claimed by Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales

Formally founded on 7 February 1788

First Flag

National Colonial Flag for Australia1823/1824 to 1831

featured the Southern Cross and Union Flag

Designed by Captain John Bingle and Captain John Nicholson

Australian Federation Flag1830 to 1920

also known as the New South Wales Ensign

The flag was proposed in 1831 by Captain Jacob Gronow, Sydney's Harbour Master

AntiTransportation League Flag1849 – 1853

British Blue Ensign, with yellow Southern Cross and white border to which branch names were added

designed in 1849 by Reverend John West of Launceston, Tasmaniaused by the Australian Anti-

Transportation League in the Australian colonies and in New Zealand

Eureka Flag

was originally a war flag used by the Eureka Rebellion of 1854

The battle flag of the Eureka Stockade featured the five stars of the constellation Crux Australis in white on a white cross and blue field.

The Commonwealth of AustraliaJanuary 1st,1901, the six colonies became a federation and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed

Etymologythe name Australia is derived from the Latin australis, meaning "southern"

The name Australia was popularised by the explorer Matthew Flinders, who pushed for it to be formally adopted as early as 1804.

Etymology

When preparing his manuscript and charts for his 1814 A Voyage to Terra Australis

European landfall on the Australian continent were attributed to the Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon.

AUSTRALIA

DESERT

TROPICAL FOREST

DESERT Australian Deserts make up a big part of what is known as "the Australian Outback"

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. Only Antarctica is drier.

Only 3% of the Australian population live in those dry 70% of the continent, the rest of our people is concentrated on the coasts.

TROPICAL AREA

Australia’s Tropical Rainforests cover approximately 85% square hectares and are internationally recognized as being one of the most ecologically fascinating natural areas in the world

CORAL REEFThe Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world's largest coral reef.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms

CULTURE

SYDNEY

NATIONAL PARKSBOODEREE

KAKADUA

ULURUTHE PINNACLES

FAUNARED KANGAROO

TANZMANIAN DEVIL

SUGAR GLIDER

KOALA

DINGO

ECONOMYAustralia is the thirteenth largest economy in the world

Being a land with enough variation in topography and sand, huge deposits of gold, iron, manganese, opals and sapphires have been identified. Natural gas deposits are evenly spread throughout the continent.