• 1770 – captain James Cook discovered Australia.1770 – captain James Cook discovered Australia. He He landed south of present day Sydney and claimed this part landed south of present day Sydney and claimed this part of land for the King of England.of land for the King of England.

• 1788 – captain Arthur Phillip commanded eleven ships to 1788 – captain Arthur Phillip commanded eleven ships to Australia. About 750 of the 1000 people on the ships were Australia. About 750 of the 1000 people on the ships were convicts. They were the first British settlers.convicts. They were the first British settlers.

• At that time Australia was inhabited by the Aborigines. At that time Australia was inhabited by the Aborigines. There were about 300,000 Aborigines living on the There were about 300,000 Aborigines living on the continent.continent.

• 1827 – Great Britain claimed all of Australia.1827 – Great Britain claimed all of Australia.• 1901 – Australia became a nation1901 – Australia became a nation within the British within the British

Empire under Queen Victoria’s rule. It was called Empire under Queen Victoria’s rule. It was called the the Commonwealth of Australia.Commonwealth of Australia.

• 1931 – Australia gained independence from Great 1931 – Australia gained independence from Great BritainBritain. .

This monument in Botany Bay National Park, This monument in Botany Bay National Park, on Australia’s southeastern coast, on Australia’s southeastern coast,

commemorates the site’s discovery by British commemorates the site’s discovery by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1770. Cook explorer Captain James Cook in 1770. Cook claimed possession of the territory for the claimed possession of the territory for the

United Kingdom, leading to the arrival of the United Kingdom, leading to the arrival of the first European settlers on the Australian first European settlers on the Australian

continent in 1788.continent in 1788.Monument at Botany Bay

Captain James Cook, a British Captain James Cook, a British explorer, was killed during explorer, was killed during a fight with islanders in a fight with islanders in Hawaii. Hawaii.

Located in Sydney Cove along the Port Located in Sydney Cove along the Port Jackson waterfront of Sydney, Australia, Jackson waterfront of Sydney, Australia,

Circular Quay was the final point of anchorage Circular Quay was the final point of anchorage of the First Fleet, which brought the first of the First Fleet, which brought the first

European settlers to Australia in 1788. Long European settlers to Australia in 1788. Long the shipping center of Sydney, Circular Quay the shipping center of Sydney, Circular Quay is now the main dock for ferries traversing is now the main dock for ferries traversing

Port Jackson.Port Jackson.

Circular Quay, Sydney Captain Arthur Phillip

Australia is situated in the Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere southern hemisphere south of Asia, between south of Asia, between the Pacific and the Indian the Pacific and the Indian Oceans.Oceans.

It is surrounded by three It is surrounded by three countries, Indonesia and countries, Indonesia and New Guinea to the north New Guinea to the north and New Zealand to the and New Zealand to the south-east.south-east.

Australia is a continent, a Australia is a continent, a country and an island all country and an island all at the same time. at the same time.

It is the sixth largest It is the sixth largest country and the smallest country and the smallest continent in the world.continent in the world.

Its territory is 7.7million Its territory is 7.7million square kilometres.square kilometres.

The continent is surrounded by great The continent is surrounded by great amount of beautiful islands, the amount of beautiful islands, the

largest of which is Tasmania. It is an largest of which is Tasmania. It is an island – state.island – state.

The climate of Australia is The climate of Australia is varied, from tropical in the varied, from tropical in the north to temperate in the north to temperate in the south – east.south – east.

Australia is situated in southern Australia is situated in southern hemisphere that’s why it has hemisphere that’s why it has summer when we have winter.summer when we have winter.

It is the world’s driest continent. It is the world’s driest continent. The wettest months are The wettest months are between April and June.between April and June.

The sun shines most days of the The sun shines most days of the year. Water temperature in year. Water temperature in Sydney: Sydney: + ++ +22.5 22.5 СС in summer in summer and and ++18 18 С С in winter.in winter.

Australia has the largest coral reef in the

world. It is called the Great Barrier Reef.It is situated on the north – east of

Australia, off the coast of Queensland.1500 different kinds of fish live

there.Here there is Great Barrier Marine

Park.

Kata Tjuta.Kata Tjuta.

These natural formations rise from the desert These natural formations rise from the desert plains.plains.

This is Uluru National Park.This is Uluru National Park.

Aborigines call it “place of many heads”Aborigines call it “place of many heads”

The Murray River, which is 2589 km (1609 mi) The Murray River, which is 2589 km (1609 mi) long, runs through southeastern Australia. It long, runs through southeastern Australia. It

is the country’s principal river.is the country’s principal river.

Murray River

Lake Eyre is a vast salt lake in the arid Lake Eyre is a vast salt lake in the arid interior of South Australia. Although many interior of South Australia. Although many intermittent rivers flow into the lake, the intermittent rivers flow into the lake, the

water often evaporates, reducing the lake to water often evaporates, reducing the lake to a dry salt pan for much of the year.a dry salt pan for much of the year.

Lake Eyre, South Australia

The Commonwealth of The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal Australia is a federal parliamentary state, a parliamentary state, a member of British member of British Commonwealth.Commonwealth.

Formally the chief of the Formally the chief of the state is the British Queen state is the British Queen Elizabeth II represented Elizabeth II represented by the Governor General. by the Governor General.

The Head of the Government The Head of the Government is the Prime Minister.is the Prime Minister.

Australia has six states and Australia has six states and two territories: South two territories: South Australia, Western Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Northern Territory and Australian Capital Australian Capital Territory.Territory.

Each state and territory has Each state and territory has a capital city. a capital city.

The capital of Australia is The capital of Australia is Canberra.Canberra.

It is located in the Australian It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in Capital Territory (ACT) in the southeast corner of the southeast corner of New South Wales.New South Wales.

It is not very large with the It is not very large with the population of about population of about 300,000.300,000.

It was specially designed and It was specially designed and built as a capital. The new built as a capital. The new Parliament House was Parliament House was opened in 1988.opened in 1988.

Canberra is a “natural capital” Canberra is a “natural capital” without industry so the air without industry so the air here is fresh and crisp.here is fresh and crisp.

Australia’s national sights and Australia’s national sights and museums are located in museums are located in Canberra. The National Canberra. The National Gallery, the National Gallery, the National Science and Technology Science and Technology Centre and so on.Centre and so on.

Parliament House in CanberraParliament House in Canberra

Australia is a very urban country. About 70% of the population live in Australia is a very urban country. About 70% of the population live in 10 largest cities.10 largest cities.

The oldest and largest is The oldest and largest is SydneySydney, the capital of New South Wales. It , the capital of New South Wales. It is leading industrial city. Nearly a quarter of all Australians live is leading industrial city. Nearly a quarter of all Australians live here. It hosted 2000 Olympics. Sydney is surrounded by national here. It hosted 2000 Olympics. Sydney is surrounded by national parks has a large Taronga zoo, impressive galleries, museums.parks has a large Taronga zoo, impressive galleries, museums.

Sydney Opera House 2000 Summer Olympic Games

Sydney Monorail

Royal National Park

University of Sydney

Founded in 1835 by pioneers from Tasmania, Founded in 1835 by pioneers from Tasmania, Melbourne is Australia's second largest city and the Melbourne is Australia's second largest city and the

capital of the state of Victoria. Its multicultural capital of the state of Victoria. Its multicultural population of nearly 3 million comes from succeeding population of nearly 3 million comes from succeeding

waves of immigrants. It is a lively, prosperous city with waves of immigrants. It is a lively, prosperous city with good public transportation, several major universities, good public transportation, several major universities,

and a growing financial and business district.and a growing financial and business district.

Australia's Second Largest City

Darwin Hobart

Adelaide Brisbane

Australia has a population of Australia has a population of about 18 million people.about 18 million people.

70 per cent of the population 70 per cent of the population live in 10 largest cities.live in 10 largest cities.

Most of the population is in Most of the population is in the south – eastern corner the south – eastern corner of the country and only 15 of the country and only 15 per cent live in rural areas.per cent live in rural areas.

Australia is a multicultural Australia is a multicultural society. People from society. People from about about 200 nations200 nations live there. But live there. But most are of British origin.most are of British origin.

The Aborigines, the Australian The Aborigines, the Australian natives, represent about natives, represent about 1.5 per cent of the 1.5 per cent of the population.population.

Music, dance, and body painting are Music, dance, and body painting are important parts of Aboriginal culture in important parts of Aboriginal culture in

Australia. Aboriginal people have lived in Australia. Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for thousands of years.Australia for thousands of years.

Aboriginal DancersAboriginal Dancers

Australia’s official language is Australia’s official language is English.English.

Australian English does not Australian English does not differ significantly from other differ significantly from other forms of English.forms of English.

It reflects British traditions but It reflects British traditions but is influenced by American is influenced by American English.English.

Young people take fashionable Young people take fashionable colloquialisms from America.colloquialisms from America.

Many words are borrowed from Many words are borrowed from Aboriginal languages, Aboriginal languages, particularly in describing the particularly in describing the flora and fauna (kangaroo, flora and fauna (kangaroo, koala, wombat …)koala, wombat …)

Australia is highly developed Australia is highly developed country.country.

It is very rich in minerals.It is very rich in minerals.Australian industries are: Australian industries are:

mining, industrial and mining, industrial and transport equipment, food, transport equipment, food, chemicals, steel.chemicals, steel.

It exports metals, minerals, It exports metals, minerals, coal.coal.

Australian agriculture is also Australian agriculture is also highly developed.highly developed.

The country is world largest The country is world largest exporter of beef and wool, exporter of beef and wool, second largest for mutton, second largest for mutton, among top wheat exporters.among top wheat exporters.

All kinds of transport are used: All kinds of transport are used: sea lines, paved sea lines, paved highways( 243,750 km), air highways( 243,750 km), air lines (440 airports).lines (440 airports).

Australian continent has very rich flora and Australian continent has very rich flora and fauna: nearly half a million species of plants fauna: nearly half a million species of plants and animals – one of the greatest varieties of and animals – one of the greatest varieties of

any country in the world.any country in the world.

They have more than 20,000 species of plants, They have more than 20,000 species of plants, and 85 % of these are found only in Australia.and 85 % of these are found only in Australia.

P E O P L E A N D N A T U P E O P L E A N D N A T U R ER E

AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL WORLDWORLD

• Australian animal world is unique: more than 50 Australian animal world is unique: more than 50 types of kangaroos, enormous amount of parrots and types of kangaroos, enormous amount of parrots and other birds, about 200 species of frogs, 282 mammal other birds, about 200 species of frogs, 282 mammal species, 82 % do not occur anywhere else.species, 82 % do not occur anywhere else.

• There is a great variety of animal life in Australia’s There is a great variety of animal life in Australia’s waters. There are more than 4000 species of fish in waters. There are more than 4000 species of fish in the seas around Australia.the seas around Australia.

Tree Kangaroo KoalaEmuEmu

A u s t r a l i a nA u s t r a l i a na n i m a l sa n i m a l s

Wombat

Platypus

NumbatNumbat

E c h i d n a

D i n g o

A u s t r a l i a A u s t r a l i a nn

a n i m a l s a n i m a l s

V a l l a b y

C o c k a t o o

Tasmanian Devil

K a n g a r o o

Rainbow Lorikeet

Tuatara

H O L I D A Y SH O L I D A Y SMost Australians celebrate as many holidays as any Most Australians celebrate as many holidays as any

other people in the world: Christmas, New Year…other people in the world: Christmas, New Year…But the greatest holiday in the country is Australia’s But the greatest holiday in the country is Australia’s

national day, Australia Day, on 26 January, which national day, Australia Day, on 26 January, which commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.

It is the largest one-day event.It is the largest one-day event.Ferries decorated with flags and banners under Sydney Ferries decorated with flags and banners under Sydney

Harbour Bridge are quite a sight to see.Harbour Bridge are quite a sight to see.

Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay a Russian Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay a Russian scientist and traveller came to scientist and traveller came to Sydney in 1878 and lived there Sydney in 1878 and lived there for several years. He married an for several years. He married an Australian woman and had two Australian woman and had two sons. Their descendants still live sons. Their descendants still live in Sydney.in Sydney.

Russian famous ballet dancer Anna Russian famous ballet dancer Anna Pavlova and famous singer Fedor Pavlova and famous singer Fedor Shalapin visited Australia in Shalapin visited Australia in 1926.1926.

Such prominent writers as Anton Such prominent writers as Anton Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy, Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy, Konstantin Balmont wrote about Konstantin Balmont wrote about this country.this country.

Nowadays there are thousands of Nowadays there are thousands of Russians in Australia. Among Russians in Australia. Among them is Kostya Tzu, a famous them is Kostya Tzu, a famous boxer.boxer.