Australia: Today

Government

http://www.peo.gov.au/multimedia/library/parl.html

http://www.peo.gov.au/multimedia/library/parl.html

Federal Parliamentary Democracy Citizens elect members to represent them in

a parliament. British Monarch is the head of state Prime Minister is the “leader” of the country The Parliament consists of a House of

Representatives & a Senate The central government shares power with

the state

http://www.peo.gov.au/students/library/parl.html

http://www.peo.gov.au/students/library/parl.html

Parliamentary Video Making a Law

Economy

Economically developed country

Agriculture

One of the world’s top producers of wool– Australia supplies 25% of the wool used in

clothing Export meat and dairy products

http://images.businessweek.com/story/08/600/0703_mz_wool.jpg

http://www.almastud.com.au/shearingday5.jpg

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/01/11/wooljumper_narrowweb__300x451,0.jpg

Industries

Mining Steel Heavy machines computers

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200707/r158165_574514.jpg

Culture

People

Over 90% of Australians are of British ancestry

The Aborigines make up only 1% Asian and Pacific Islanders have been

growing in numbers since the 1970’s Most live in urban areas or cities

Religion

Most Australians are Christians

Interests

Outdoor activities are popular Popular sports include: cricket, sailing,

horse racing, surfing, rugby, Australian Rules football

Australian Sailing

http://www.sailingnetworks.com/images/photo/590194.jpg

Australian Rules Football

http://www.acklamgrange.org.uk/kensuke/AustralianRulesFootball.jpg

Australian Horse Racing

http://media.photobucket.com/image/australian%20horse%20racing/itchybro1964/seabattle.jpg

Challenges

Improving the economic and political status of the Aborigines

Environmental Issues