Geography

The continent of Australasia, containsAustralia, Tasmania and New Zealand; it isthe smallest continent. Australia is a federation of six states and two territories. The six states are: Western Australia, Northen Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. There is a desert region that is located in the centre of the country and it is called the Outback.

The territory of Australia

Climate Australia has tropical, temperature and dry

regions, with different weather conditions foreach region. In the north there is a six-month-long wet season with very high temperatures. The centre of Australia is the desert region. Here it is very hot during the day, and very coldat night. There is also very little rain.The temperature region in the south has changeableweather with an average temperature of 30° C in the summer and 15° in the winter.

The climate of Australia

Aborigines

Aborigines originally came from Asia and livedin tribes: they were nomads. They ate whatthey found in the forest: insects, fish, honeyand plants. Today modern Aborigines are allowed to preserve their culture. They havetheir own flag. It‟s black and red with a yellow circle. The black symbolizes the Aborigines; red is the earth of Australia, and the yellow circle is the sun.

These Aborigines are playing the didgeridoo.

The Aborigines flag.

James Cook

Cook quickly showed his skill as a navigator and when he was 41, the British Admiralitysent him to Tahiti and New Zeland. Hearrived in southern Australia by accident on his way home in 1770. Capitan Cook raised the British flag and claimed the new country forthe British Empire.

The navigator James Cook

Government of Australia

Australia was a British colony until 1901. It isstill a monarchy (Britain‟s monarch is alsoAustralia‟s) but it is now an independentstate.

Australian rules football

Australia has plenty to offer the sports fan for example the Australian rules football known as “Aussie rules”. It‟s played by teams of 18 players on an oval field, that is four times the size of a football pitch. It‟s played with an oval ball. There is no offside rule and the ball can be passed in a variety of ways: kicked, hit with the hand, bounced and carried! It „s a fast, skilful and often rough game. Melbourne is the centre of Aussie rule.

Australian football players

Cricket

Melbourne has the biggest cricket ground in the world. Cricket is played by teams of 11 players. The Australian team is one of the best in the world and has a long-running competition with England.

Cricket: an important sport in Australia

Sailing

Australia is a favourite destination for fans of sailing. The Sydney in Tasmania to Hobart Yacht Race takes place each year over the Christmas and New Year period, and is one of the world‟s most exciting and challenging races.

Sailing race

Realizzato da Sarah, Nicola e Chiara