AUSTRALIA

The kangaroo's kingdom

General Information Australia (Commonwealth of

Australia) is the sixth country in the world by extension(7,617,930 km²). It is formed by the Mainland, which

is the continental part of the country, Tasmania and other

smaller islands called Distant Lands, such as Cocos Islands, Keeling Islands and Christmas Island.

GeneralitiesGeneral:• Official language: English• Capital city: CanberraPolitical form of government: • Federal parliamentary monarchy• Queen: Elisabeth II• First minister: Julia Gillard

GeneralitiesArea:• Total: 7,617,930 km² Population:• Total: 22,618,521 ab.Economy:• Currency: Australian dollar

Fauna The Australian fauna is characterized

by particular species, such as the monotremes (the platypus), marsupials (kangaroos, koalas), crocodiles and the dingo. Among the birds there are the Emu, the budgies and Australian eagle. In Australia there are the most venomous snakes in the World.

Flora The Australian landscape has 4 types of

vegetation: the bush, composed by trees up to 40m like the eucalyptus trees, the Mallee, the Mulga, made of acacia trees and then Scrub, characterize a flora in low bushes.

Curiosities• Cinema & TVAmong the TV series there are ‘H2O’, ‘Blue water

High’ and ‘Neighbours’Some famous films are ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’,

‘Crocodile Dundee’ and ‘Australia’• MusicA great Australian hard rock band is AC/DC

famous all over the world, and the songwriter  Kylie Minogue

Curiosities• SportSome famous sports in Australia are Rugby,

Cricket, Polo, Lacrosse, Tennis and Australian Football

• GastronomyThe most famous Australian sweets are: the

Lamington sweet, Pavlova cake and Christmas Pavlova

Aboriginal AustraliansThey have occupied the country for 50,000 or 60,000 years.

There are about 600 different groups, but they have similar cultures and beliefs. Their spiritual belief in the land helps them to survive but however they continue to fight for their land today. Among the cultural heritage, storytelling occupies a very important part: it educates children about life, it teaches them about how to survive, about spirituality, their ancestors, heritage and dreamtime.

Another part of the Aboriginal Australians’ cultural heritage is art: one of the oldest form of art is body painting for ceremonies and dances. Ceremonies are often accompanied with instruments like the digeridoo.