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Australian Geography and History

Australian Geography and History. What comes to mind when you think of Australia?. Australia is divided into 6 states. Quick Facts. Today one out of four Australians were born oversees- very diverse population. Australia is the 6 th largest country.

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Australian Geography and History

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  1. Australian Geographyand History

  2. What comes to mind when you think ofAustralia?

  3. Australia is divided into 6 states

  4. Quick Facts • Today one out of four Australians were born oversees- very diverse population. • Australia is the 6th largest country. • Australia is the biggest island in the world

  5. Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea • The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. • Coral reefs are made up of living organisms. • They exist in the ocean. • It is so vast that it can be seen from outer space. • As the world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef has been labeled as one of the seven wonders of the world. • It lies in the Coral Sea, off the northeast coast of Australia.

  6. Great Barrier Reef

  7. Great Victorian Desert • The Great Victorian Desert is in southern Australia. • It is vast, barren region with many small lakes and grasslands.

  8. Ayers Rock • Ayers Rock is a giant sandstone rock formation. • It lies in central Australia. • Ayers Rock has many waterholes, caves, and springs. • The Aborigines believe Ayers Rock is sacred.

  9. The Outback • Much of Australia is covered by the Australian Outback. • It is a dry region that covers most of Australia’s interior. • Temperatures in the Outback can be very hot. • There is very little rain. • Most of the soil is not good for farming. • Harsh conditions and the lack of fertile farmland mean that very few people live in the Outback.

  10. Population • Most Australians live in cities along Australia’s southeast coast. • This is largely because of the mild, temperate climate the region offers. • Due to rich mineral deposits, portions of northwest Australia are home to mining communities. • Miners rely on these natural resources for income. • The interior of the continent is dominated by the Outback.

  11. Trade and Resources • Australia’s geography impacts trade. • Because of its dry terrain and vast wilderness areas Australia has historically had to import many of the agricultural products that it needs. • International trade has long been a critical part of Australia’s survival. • Australia’s largest trading partner is China.

  12. Australia's Culture • Australia’s culture is very much like that of Western Europe or the United States. • Many of the fashions, products, musical styles, movies, businesses, and leisure activities that exist throughout the western world can be found in Australia.

  13. British Culture • Australia was once a British colony. • British culture has greatly shaped the modern culture of Australia. • English is the official language. • The government is modeled after the United Kingdom. • The king or queen of the United Kingdom still has symbolic role. • Most Australians who follow a religion claim to be Christian. • British missionaries introduced Christianity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

  14. Aboriginal History • Aborigines are native Australians whose ancestors lived on the continent before Europeans arrived. • When James Cook arrived he was told not to claim the land unless the natives agreed- they didn’t but claimed land anyway. • Genocide or mass murder of Aborigines who were considered savages by the Europeans.

  15. Stolen Generations • Aborigines children were removed from their homes in order to give them European values and work habits. • Ethnocentrism- belief that your culture is superior to others

  16. Aboriginal Culture • Aboriginal cultures still exist in Australia. • Many Aboriginal citizens have adopted western customs (fashion, work in urban areas, go to universities, and have similar lifestyles) • Other Aborigines live a more traditional existence. • Many of the societies exist in the Outback, where the harsh climate and geography discourages Europeans from interfering with the native peoples’ way of life.

  17. Literacy • Australia’s literacy rate is very high. • Most Australians are well educated. • The literacy rate is lower among Aborigines. • Due to years of discrimination, there are still problems in the Aboriginal community, such as poverty and lack of education.

  18. POP QUIZ

  19. Question 1 The largest living organism in the world is • The Aborigines • Ayers Rock • The Great Barrier Reef • Found in the Outback

  20. Question 2 Malcolm lives in a heavily populated city. There is a good chance Malcolm lives in • The Great Victorian Desert • Southeast Australia • The Outback • Northwest Australia

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