4/22/08

MY FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIA

Funny facts about Australia


- first European settlers in Australia drank more alcohol per person than any other community in the history of mankind.

-Mines in Australia covers 0.02% of Australia`s land mass.( one of our most important industries, which accounts for 15% of Australia's GDP)

- Land is occupied by pubs.

- In the year 1954 Bob Hawke drank 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. He made it into the Guinness record book and went to become Prime minister.

Crocodile Slams Into Tree

Who was more scared? Family or the crocodile?
Family was camping in Kakadu national park and suddenly three meter crocodile appeared. He was trying to get in the tent.

The poor croc turned straight around and raced back towards the water, unfortunately overlooking the tree in its way. The tree lost a fair bit of bark and there were two big wet circles where the croc's nose had slammed into the tree...

ANIMALS


-1500 hundred species of Australian spiders. (If you read about our spiders you might not like this: the average person swallows three spiders a year).

-there are over 6000 species of flies, about 4000 species of ants, and there are about 350 species of termites in Australia.

-The combined mass of all termites in the world is more than ten times the mass of all people.
Termites are also called white ants, but they're not ants, in fact not even closely related to ants.
Australia has the world's largest population of wild camels with one hump.

-The Tasmanian Devil does exist, and it has the jaw strength of a crocodile.

-Sharks are immune to all known diseases.

-There are more than 150 million sheep in Australia, and only some 20 million people.

SHARKS ATTACK


Shark attacks occur rarely. Only a few of the 450 or so shark species have been known to attack people. Unfortunately, some attacks are fatal.

There are some easy and commonsense precautions to take that can help reduce the risk of a shark attack. This risk minimisation advice is reproduced from the Australian Shark Attack File.

-Do not swim, dive or surf where dangerous sharks are known to congregate.
-Always swim, dive or surf with other people.
-Do not swim in dirty or turbid water.
-Avoid swimming well offshore, near deep channels, at river mouths or along drop-offs to deeper water.
-If schooling fish start to behave erratically or congregate in large numbers, leave the water.
-Do not swim with pets and domestic animals.
-Look carefully before jumping into the water from a boat or wharf.
-If possible do not swim a dusk or at night.
-Do not swim near people fishing or spear fishing.
-If a shark is sighted in the area leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible.







4/14/08

Australia - facts




Australia - facts

In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. But population is low.

Australia lies between 10˙and 39˙ South latitude and is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth.

The highest mount is Mount Kosciuszko which is 2228 meters high. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent.

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about 3/4 of the land is mainly arid or semi-arid.
Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, and these are used very effectively to help feed the world. Sheep and cattle graze in dry country, but care must be taken with the soil. Some grazing land became desert when the long cycles that influence rainfall in Australia turned to drought.

The Australian federation has six States and two Territories. Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest State is Western Australia. This state is big like Westeren Europe.

Economy

In recent years Australia has had one of the most outstanding economies of the world.
As a high-growth, low-inflation, low interest rate economy, it is more vibrant than ever before. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector.

With its abundant physical resources, Australia has enjoyed a high standard of living since the nineteenth century. It has made a comparatively large investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport.

The Australian workforce has seen many improvements over the last decade, leading to the surge in productivity in the 1990s. The complex and centralised award based industrial relations system has given way to a more decentralised one with many employees working under workplace agreements tailored to meet enterprise needs.



Immigration

Australia's culturally diverse society includes its Indigenous peoples and settlers from countries all around the world.

Immigration is an important feature of Australian society. Since 1945, over six million people from 200 countries have come to Australia as new settlers. Migrants have made a major contribution to shaping modern Australia. People born overseas make up almost one quarter of the total population.

The federal government sets immigration intake numbers on a yearly basis. Australia's immigration policies are non-discriminatory and all applicants to migrate must meet the same selection criteria. more

Australia in brief

Australia is an independent Western democracy with a population of more than 20 million. It is one of the world’s most urbanised countries, with about 70 per cent of the population living in the 10 largest cities. Most of the population is concentrated along the eastern seaboard and the south-eastern corner of the continent.

Sports and sport events in Australia

Sports in Australia are very popular and so in Australia most sports are available.
The various climates available around Australia, throughout the year, enables a wide range of activities all year around.
Most popular sports are rugby, soccer, swimming,surfing,...
Some sports events in Austrlia: Australian Grand Prix (formula 1), Australian open (tennis), Gold coast indy,...