Ch. 26- Australia

“The Land Down Under”

Country and continent

No island- Why?- too large

Australia continued

• Smallest continent in the world• Greenland- largest island• Australia- 6th largest country in the world• Size- continental US• Oldest continent in the world• Deserts and grasslands• Very flat, low elevation- erosion• Great Barrier Reef- 1,250 miles long- coral-

rocklike material formed from skeletons- small sea animals

Australia continued

• Great Dividing Range• Along Pacific coast• Major rivers- Murray and Darling• SE- fertile soil• Australian Alps- Mt. Kosciusko- highest peak- 7,300 feet• Central Lowlands- pastureland• Outback- remote inland regions• Dry grasslands• Stations- sheep and cattle ranches• Water scarce

Australia continued

• Great Artesian Basin• Water- deep underground- drill wells- irrigation• Western Plateau- ¾ Australia- deserts- minerals-

abundance• Climate- dry grasslands- tropical climate-

equator- warm summers, mild winters• Animals and Plants- kangaroos and koalas• Native to Australia• Marsupials- mammals- carry young- pouch

Australia continued

• Exotic animals• Platypus, dingoes, wombats• Eucalyptus- plant eaten by koala• The Economy• Export mineral resources- trade with US, Japan,

and UK- tourism• Agriculture- dry- not good for farming• Wheat- main crop• Sugar cane, fruits, vegetables• Grazing- Australia- #1- wool production

Australia continued

• 1901- British colonies united• Formed Commonwealth of Australia• 7 states• Gov’t- parliamentary democracy• Most people live in cities• Sydney and Melbourne- largest cities• Canberra- capital• Bush- remote rural area- dirt roads

Australia continued

• Mining• Mid-1800’s- gold discovered• Zinc, coal, uranium• Pop.- 18.7 million• 1st Australians- Aborigines• Came from Asia- hunters and gatherers• Captain James Cook• British- claims Australia- 1700’s- colony for

prisoners