Australia which boasts a population over twenty-two mullion people is an independent Western democracy. With over seventy percent of its people residing in ten of its largest cities it is certainly one of the more urbanized countries in the entire world. Along the eastern seaboard is where the majority live.
Although its lifestyle is certainly reflective of its Western origins, over six million people from more than two hundred countries have taken up residence there bringing a great multicultural flavor with them. Migrants or the first children of migrants number four out of ten Australians and over one half of these people come from backgrounds that are non-English speaking ones.
Historians have traced the background of the Aboriginal people and believe they go back anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 years.
One of the distinct Australia facts is that it is the sole continent occupied by one nation. Another is that its 7.7 million square kilometer size is also the driest of all continents even though there are some extremes of topography and climate. Included in this are fertile croplands in the south west, south and east, desert in the center, snowfields in the southern east and vast plains up north. Over one third of the country is situated in the tropics.
Because the Australian continent was isolated for so many millions of years, fauna and flora sanctuaries were created. Marsupials were saved. Distinctive plants and trees were developed and birds unique to the area flourished. The very best known animals in Australia are of course the kangaroo, spiny anteater, platypus and the lovely koala. The over 700 various species of birds can be found no other place than Australia. Plants number over 20,000 different species including the grass tree and the cycad palm. There are over 1200 species in the family known as Myrtaceae including gum trees and eucalypts.
A patriotic song dating back to the 19th century, Advance Australia Fair, serves as the Australian national anthem since April 1984 when it replaced God Save The Queen. That same year gold and green were adopted as the national colors.
The official language of Australia is indeed English not by law but rather by common usage. There are included some great slang expressions and colloquialisms.
The National Flag Of Australia
The national flag features some of the Southern Cross small stars, a seven pointed star representing the territories and States and of course a small Union Jack highlighting the connection with Great Britain.
In 1912, King George V granted the Australian government’s official coat of arms. It contains badges of the six different states. The wattle, a native plant, the emu and a kangaroo also appear.
The national day in Australia is celebrated on January 26th. It was on this date the Royal Navy Captain Arthur Philip sailed into Sydney cove and claimed the land for England. The city of Sydney was shortly established.
Easier access to Australia via air has led to a continuing increase in the number of visitors to the country. There is simply so much to see and do and there truly is something for everyone no matter what it is they are looking to see or do.
Where exporting of wool was at one time the main business in the country that has now been joined by so many others as manufacturing products of different varieties has blossomed and other industries keep growing.
The countries most exports went to in 2007 included at the top of the list New Zealand, Korea, The united States, China and Japan.
The exports of services and goods continues to grow annually reaching in the year 2007 over $218 billion dollars.
Although fuels and minerals remain the largest of Australia’s export business items manufactured items continue to gain ground.
Austrade which is the Australian Trade Commission continues to do a great job promoting coordination between Australian businesses and their markets around the world.
Australia also continues its efforts to attract and make welcome foreign financial investments. They realize just how vital to economic growth these investments are.
By the same token Australian firms are well aware of the importance of their investing offshore and broadening the global market. The annual numbers invested abroad are rapidly nearing the trillion dollar mark.
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