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.Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia and New Zealand. Southern HemisphereAustralian continent Tasmania smaller islands IndianPacific Oceans IndonesiaEast TimorPapua New GuineaSolomon IslandsVanuatu New CaledoniaNew Zealand Southern HemisphereAustralian continent Tasmania smaller islands IndianPacific Oceans IndonesiaEast TimorPapua New GuineaSolomon IslandsVanuatu New CaledoniaNew Zealand

Australia map The Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the world's smallest continent and a number of islands in the Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Australia's neighbouring countries are Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the north-east, and New Zealand to the south-east. The Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the world's smallest continent and a number of islands in the Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Australia's neighbouring countries are Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the north-east, and New Zealand to the south-east.

Australia is divided into 6 states New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western AustraliaTasmania and 2 territories:the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

FlagFlag and Coat of arms Coat of arms FlagCoat of arms

Parliament House in Canberra was opened in 1988, replacing the provisional Parliament House building opened in provisional Parliament House building

The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne was the first building in Australia to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004Royal Exhibition BuildingWorld Heritage Site

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. In addition to representing Sydney, the opera house has also become a symbol for the country of Australia throughout the worldAustralia

Sydney

Melbourne

Nearly three quarters of Australians live in metropolitan cities and coastal areas. The beach is an integral part of the Australian identity.

. The Barossa Valley is a wine-producing region in South Australia. Fewer than 15% of Australians live in rural areas.Barossa Valleywine-producingSouth Australia

Cricket has been an important part of Australia's sporting culture since the 19th century. Cricket has been an important part of Australia's sporting culture since the 19th century. Around 24% Australians over the age of 15 regularly participate in organised sporting activities in Australia. Australia has strong international teams in cricket, field hockey, netball, rugby league and rugby union, having been Olympic or world champions Around 24% Australians over the age of 15 regularly participate in organised sporting activities in Australia. Australia has strong international teams in cricket, field hockey, netball, rugby league and rugby union, having been Olympic or world champions cricketfield hockey netballrugby league rugby union cricketfield hockey netballrugby league rugby union

In Australian culture sports carnivals are held to perform competitions in the individual or team disciplines like athletics and swimming

The Rugby League State Of Origin has been part of Australian culture since 1980 and this seasons series didnt disappoint. This evening saw the decider of the 2006 State Of Origin and it was held in Melbourne. After a fantastic start to the match, lots of hard running and big hits – the two teams were locked at four a piece. This evening saw the decider of the 2006 State Of Origin and it was held in Melbourne. After a fantastic start to the match, lots of hard running and big hits – the two teams were locked at four a piece.

Seen near Cairns, in the jungle Seen near Cairns, in the jungle A great place to see some birdlife - and lots of water after the desert: Cooinda in the Northern Territory. A great place to see some birdlife - and lots of water after the desert: Cooinda in the Northern Territory.

Australia is blessed with a collection of totally unique and bizarre animals that any traveller would want to see, and quite a few that a traveller would prefer to avoid.

Word of pristine white beaches, wild life parks boasting unique flora and fauna. Word of pristine white beaches, wild life parks boasting unique flora and fauna. Besides natural wonders, there are numerous historical landmarks worthy of visiting, including the moving Australian War Memorial and National Gallery of Australia, both located in the nations capital and Canberra. Besides natural wonders, there are numerous historical landmarks worthy of visiting, including the moving Australian War Memorial and National Gallery of Australia, both located in the nations capital and Canberra.

The culture of Australia Australia The culture of Australia is rich in both Indigenous and European tradition. Australians love to celebrate their heritage, and most major cities hold unique arts festivals with dance, outdoor music, cinema, food, and wine, at various points throughout the year. Generally, these festivals are completely free of charge, and offer an exciting way to experience the culture of Australia. The country also commemorates a set of national Australian holidays, many with their own celebrations. The culture of Australia is rich in both Indigenous and European tradition. Australians love to celebrate their heritage, and most major cities hold unique arts festivals with dance, outdoor music, cinema, food, and wine, at various points throughout the year. Generally, these festivals are completely free of charge, and offer an exciting way to experience the culture of Australia. The country also commemorates a set of national Australian holidays, many with their own celebrations.Australia

National Australian Holidays One holiday in Australia, observed June 8th to allow a break before winter, is the Queen's Birthday. Generally, schools and government offices will be closed on this day. Another day on which government buildings will likely be closed is January 26th, Australia Day. Australia Day commemorates the first British settlement in Australia, in 1788 Sydney hosts a surf board paddle race beneath the Harbor Bridge, in which both amateurs and pros are equally welcome to participate. One holiday in Australia, observed June 8th to allow a break before winter, is the Queen's Birthday. Generally, schools and government offices will be closed on this day. Another day on which government buildings will likely be closed is January 26th, Australia Day. Australia Day commemorates the first British settlement in Australia, in 1788 Sydney hosts a surf board paddle race beneath the Harbor Bridge, in which both amateurs and pros are equally welcome to participate. Sydney

The Festivals The Sydney Festival features music, dance, and visual arts each January. The Perth International Arts Festival takes place every February. The Sydney Festival features music, dance, and visual arts each January. The Perth International Arts Festival takes place every February.Perth The Melbourne International Film Festival between July and August. More then 300 films are brought in each year from around the world, and is one of the most celebrated events in Australia. The Melbourne International Film Festival between July and August. More then 300 films are brought in each year from around the world, and is one of the most celebrated events in Australia.Melbourne

There is a uniquely Australian sporting institution called Surf Lifesaving that embodies much of Australian culture. There is a uniquely Australian sporting institution called Surf Lifesaving that embodies much of Australian culture.

Australian Aboriginals Australian Aboriginals are the indigenous culture of the land down under. They have a very rich and deep cultural heritage, that stems back thousands and thousands of years. The phrases "Aboriginal Australians" and "Indigenous Australians" are often used quite broadly to describe one culture; yet in actual fact, Australian Aboriginal Culture encompasses a wide range of different communities and societies within Australia - for example, there are over 250 spoken languages across all the tribes in Aboriginal Culture. Australian Aboriginals are the indigenous culture of the land down under. They have a very rich and deep cultural heritage, that stems back thousands and thousands of years. The phrases "Aboriginal Australians" and "Indigenous Australians" are often used quite broadly to describe one culture; yet in actual fact, Australian Aboriginal Culture encompasses a wide range of different communities and societies within Australia - for example, there are over 250 spoken languages across all the tribes in Aboriginal Culture.

Australian Aboriginals

Australian Aborigines Australian Aborigines make up 2.4% of the modern population of Australia. These natives of Australia exist in the Australian mainland just near Tasmania. They are believed to be knowledgeable in speaking over 250 languages and dialects. Australian Aborigines make up 2.4% of the modern population of Australia. These natives of Australia exist in the Australian mainland just near Tasmania. They are believed to be knowledgeable in speaking over 250 languages and dialects.

Whilst in Furudono, we introduced the young members of the community to Australian culture with Experience Australia activities at the local primary schools, kindergarten and Community Centre.

Australian culture with Experience Australia activities at the local primary schools, kindergarten and Community Centre.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION by Ira Butzenko – the 11 th form