AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA Area

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

AUSTRALIA • Area: 7, 686, 850 sq km • Population: 20 milion • Capital: Canberra

Geography • It is situated in the southern hemisphere • Surrounded by three oceans; The Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. • The smallest continent in the world, but the world‘s sixth largest country

Geography • Usually flat, but there are some mountains - Uluru (Ayers Rock) • Along the eastern coast are the Australians Alps – the hightest top of the continent Mount Kosciuszko but the highest peak of the Australian state is Mawson Peak that lies on the Heard Island (500 meters higher) • Longest river – the Murray Rivers • Big lakes: Lake Eyre, Lake Torrens, Lake Gairdner

Climate • Different climate from the rest of the world -> the driest inhabited continent on earth • The centre of the country has one of the lowest rainfall rates in the world

Animals • • Kangaroo – the emblem of Australia Koala bear Dingo Tasmanian devil

History • Original Australians – Aborigenes • Different languages and cultures varied between the groups, depending on which part of the country they lived in

• 1606 – European explorers discovered the huge island • 1770 – British Captain James Cook – mapped Australian‘s eastern coast (the first who claim the coutry for Britain) • The British decided to use it as a peal colony (to keep prisoners here) • 1788 – 11 ships carrying 1500 people (mostly convicts) arrived in what is now known as Sydney

Political system • The official title is The Commonwealth of Australia and it is a dominion of the United Kingdom • Democratic, federal system • The official head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor General • Actual power is exercised by the Parliament and the Prime Minister • The Federal Parliament has its seat in the capital city of Canberra and is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives

• The Commonwealth of Australia consists of 6 states – New South Wales (capital Sydney), Victoria (capital Melbourne), Queensland (capital Brisbane), South Australia (capital Adelaide), Western Australia (capital Perth), Tasmania (capital Hobart), and 3 territories – the Northern Territory, Coral Sea Islands Territory and Australian Capital Territory

• Capital city is Canberra, but the oldest and biggest is Sydney • Sydney – The Olympic games took place there – The Sydney Opera House – The Harbour Bridge • Brisbane – the third largest city • Melbourne – one of the most beautiful cities – swim with doplhins – a lot of museums, galleries, parks

• Close to the southeast coast of Australia lies the Great Barrier Reef -the largest coral reef in the world • Over 2000 kilometers long • Home a lot of sea creatures

Flag • Dark blue • The upper left hand corner – flag of the United Kingdom • The lower left hand corner – a seven pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star, each of the star‘s points represents one of the six sovereign states, and the seventh point represents all of the territories • Rest of the flag – the Southern Cross constellation (it can only be seen in the southern hemisphere)

NEW ZEALAND • Area: 268, 680 sq km • Population: 4 million • Capital: Wellington

Geography • • In the Southern Hemisphere Island country In the southwestern Pacific Ocean NZ consists of two main islands – the North and South and many others small islands • The North Island – famous for hot springs, geysers and watering places • The South Island – the highest peak Mt. Cook

Geography • Largest natural lake – The Taupo (on the North Island) • Four main cities (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin) • Lots of specific species of animals and plants (kiwi, kakapo. . ) • Popular sports – golf, tennis, cricket, rugby • An agricultural country, it is the second largest exporter of wool in the world

Climate • A lot of sun and it often rains there • Mild and temperate maritime climate

People • • About 4 million Density is much higher than in Australia Most of people live in urban areas Official language is English but some people still speak Maori • New Zealenders are known for being friendly and easygoing

History • The Maoris and Polynesian group reached NZ in the middle of 14 th century • The first Europeans were Abel Tasman (the Dutch navigator, discovered it in 1642) and James Cook (mapped the two main islands in 1769) • In the 19 th century visited by sealers and whalers • 1840 - the Treaty of Waitangi (British rule acknowledged, full British citizenship for the Maoris) • 1907 - became a dominion • 1931 - granted full independence

Political system • Independent member of the Commonwealth • Constitutional monarchy in which the British monarch is the formal head of state • Queen Elizabeth II represented by Governor General (for 5 years) • The parliament has only one chamber - the House of Representatives • 1895 voting rights given to women • Prime Minister is the head of the government • Two major parties – National and Labour

Flag • Dark blue color • In the top-left: a small Union Jack, the flag of Great Britain • The four five-pointed red stars represents the Southern Cross star formation that is found in the Southern Hemisphere