2. AUSTRALIA

3. The Flag of Australia Flag Description: Blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901 The star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories. The remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars.

4. Geography

5. Oceania Australia is part of Oceania, the continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

6. More facts about Australia… Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia Government type: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign

7. facts….. Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories States: -Queensland -New South Wales -South Australia -Victoria -Tasmania - Western Australia Territories: -Australian Capital Territory -Northern Territory

8. Queensland Australia's second largest state 25% of Australia's land mass four times the size of Japan nearly six times the size of the UK more than twice the size of Texas in the US

9. New South Wales A great holiday destination where you can get: –the big city buzz –great beaches –outdoor lifestyle –World Heritage national parks

10. The Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was established in 1911 to create a capital for the newly federated country of Australia.

11. Victoria The state of Victoria has something for everyone because of the diversity and beauty of Victoria's regions: –world-class wineries of the Yarra Valley –mineral springs of Macedon Ranges and Spa Country –coastal villages of the peninsulas –alpine towns in the High Country,

12. Tasmania Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometres (150 miles) stretch of Bass Strait Tasmania is a land apart; a place of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes A friendly, welcoming people Temperate climate Quality wines and food A spirited history

13. South Australia Take a morning dip with dolphins just 20 minutes from your hotel in Adelaide's city centre. Journey to the heart of the Outback, just a few hours north of Adelaide. Fly south to Kangaroo Island to get up close and personal with sea lions, kangaroos and koalas.

14. Western Australia Dive with the world's largest fish - the whale shark. Snorkel with manta rays. Swim with wild dolphins. Walk amongst the tree tops of ancient trees. Sleep under a canopy of stars in the desert. Explore the beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungles with the help of an Aboriginal guide.

15. Northern Territory Equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined. The Northern Territory is blessed with a variety of natural landscapes. Some of the Northern Territory's iconic wonders include the World Heritage-listed National Parks Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock).

16. More facts…… Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

17. Pictures of Australian Wildlife

18. More wildlife…….

19. Background….. Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Captain James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990’s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980’s. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

20. Australian Aboriginals In Aboriginal society every person was considered to be equal. No one had authority over anyone else in the sense of ruling them, but this is not to say that there weren't leaders. There are always leaders in any society - people who have personal qualities that others admire. But there were no elected leaders in Aboriginal society. There were also people who performed particular roles. For example clever men also known as Koradjis and as Doctors by Europeans, had special skills and were considered to be authorities on certain matters. Elders were people whom others listened to, asked for advice, and generally obeyed when they issued orders. The Elders were considered to be wise in knowledge of the Dreamtime, the law, and the lore's of the tribe. An Elder was usually a male but grey hair and old age were not the only criteria to be an Elder. In fact some elderly people were not considered to be Elders.