A satellite photo of Earth shows the country-continent of Australia, A satellite photo of Earth shows the country-continent of Australia, at center-right. Australia is geographically isolated from the other at center-right. Australia is geographically isolated from the other

continents.continents.

Australia is called Australia is called “the upside down “the upside down world”world” because winter comes in July and because winter comes in July and summer begins in December there. summer begins in December there. Australia is the hottest place in the Australia is the hottest place in the Southern Hemisphere.Southern Hemisphere.

Eroded sandstone formations of the Bungle Bungle Range rise behind a dry creek bed, in Western Australia's Purnululu National Park.

The Murray River is the principal river of Australia. It flows through southeastern Australia.

Only one Only one sixth of the sixth of the continent – continent – a belt of a belt of land along land along the north, the north, east, and east, and south south coasts – is coasts – is comfortably comfortably humid.humid.

Baobabs, characteristic trees of tropical Northern Baobabs, characteristic trees of tropical Northern Australia, are famous for their huge bottle-like trunks, Australia, are famous for their huge bottle-like trunks, which vary greatly in shapewhich vary greatly in shape

Most parts of Australia do not receive Most parts of Australia do not receive enough rain. These parts of the country are enough rain. These parts of the country are dry and uninhabited. They are too dry and dry and uninhabited. They are too dry and too hot.too hot.

Australia has an extraordinary collection of Australia has an extraordinary collection of birds and animals. Many of them are found birds and animals. Many of them are found only there. Early explorers were so only there. Early explorers were so surprised by the emu and kangaroo that surprised by the emu and kangaroo that they described the continent as the land they described the continent as the land where birds “ran instead of flying and where birds “ran instead of flying and animals hopped instead of running.animals hopped instead of running.

Australia is the home of two of the world’s Australia is the home of two of the world’s most primitive mammals – the duckbill or most primitive mammals – the duckbill or platypus and the echidna or spiny anteater. platypus and the echidna or spiny anteater. They are the only mammals that lay eggs.They are the only mammals that lay eggs.

There are more than 40 different types of There are more than 40 different types of kangaroos in Australia, in many different kangaroos in Australia, in many different colours and sizes. colours and sizes.

Another well-known Australia’s animal is Another well-known Australia’s animal is the koala that resembles a teddy bear. It the koala that resembles a teddy bear. It spends most of its life in eucalyptus trees spends most of its life in eucalyptus trees and eats only the leaves of these trees.and eats only the leaves of these trees.

Eucalyptus forestEucalyptus forestAustralia has more than Australia has more than 600 species of eucalypts.600 species of eucalypts.

Among other animals found in Australia Among other animals found in Australia is the dingo, a wild dog, the crocodile, is the dingo, a wild dog, the crocodile, the cuscus, the wombat and the frilled the cuscus, the wombat and the frilled lizard. lizard.

A very curious bird is the kookaburra that is A very curious bird is the kookaburra that is often called the “laughing jackass” The often called the “laughing jackass” The bushy country rings with its laughter.bushy country rings with its laughter.

Other Australian birds are graceful lyrebirds,Other Australian birds are graceful lyrebirds, black swans, pelicans, brilliantly coloured parrots black swans, pelicans, brilliantly coloured parrots and the great white cockatoo.and the great white cockatoo.

Two animals were brought to the Two animals were brought to the country by the Europeans and have country by the Europeans and have become wild in Australia. These are the become wild in Australia. These are the buffalo, brought from India, and the buffalo, brought from India, and the European rabbit.European rabbit.

The Great Barrier Reef is the eighth wonder of the world. it is a The Great Barrier Reef is the eighth wonder of the world. it is a magnificent assembly of nearly 3000 individual coral reefs and home of magnificent assembly of nearly 3000 individual coral reefs and home of 400 different sorts of corals and about 1500 species of fish and many 400 different sorts of corals and about 1500 species of fish and many other creatures.other creatures.

Australia is a wonderful Australia is a wonderful continentcontinent

Ayers Rock, Northern Territory