Australia is as old as time. It was probably once connected to South America, but the continents separated as the earth's plates moved. Having been separated from other continents for millions of years, Australia has many plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. One strange animal lays eggs, yet feeds its young on its milk. Kangaroos and koala bears give birth to very small and weak young. They are then carried in a pocket of skin for several months while they feed on the mother's milk and grow stronger. There are many kinds of birds in Australia, and over 140 species of snakes, many of which are extremely dangerous.
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. From north to south the distance is 3,220 km, and from east to west about 4,000 km. In area it is approximately the same size as the USA (without Alaska), which, however, has more than fourteen times as many people. Today about 85% of the Australian population of 20 million live in the six major cities around the coast. Two-thirds of the country is dry or desert.
Australia is a wealthy country. It produces metals, precious stones, coal, grain, meat and wines, and has the biggest iron mines in the world. Australia has about one-sixth of the world's sheep and produces almost one-third of its wool. Cattle are also kept, and about 15 million tons of wheat are grown every year. Fruit and vegetables are grown in areas where there is enough water.
A long fence runs for hundreds of kilometres across Australia. The purpose of the fence is to keep out a type of wild dog called a "dingo". Dingoes hunt at night and like to attack sheep. Farms in the middle of Australia are usually so large that farmers use motorbikes or helicopters for the task of rounding up the sheep or cattle.
The climate is different depending on the area. The south has cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The north has warm, dry winters and hot, wet summers. The vast centre of Australia is hot and dry all the year round. Because of such a climate, much of daily life happens outdoors. Australians love sports and the country is the birthplace of many tennis, sailing and swimming champions. Outings are popular and most Australians are delighted to share a cold glass of beer or lemonade with a friend. If you are invited to an Australian home, you will probably have a barbecue and roast a steak or fish on an open fire. At weekends many Australians go hiking and camping in the countryside, called the "bush". For holidays, many people visit the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast of Australia, which has more than 600 islands. |