1. Australia By: Jenna Snyder

2. General Information Population-20,351,000 Population-20,351,000 Capital city-Canberra Capital city-Canberra Area-7,692,024km 2 Area-7,692,024km 2 Languages spoken-English, Chinese, Italian, Greek, & Arabic Languages spoken-English, Chinese, Italian, Greek, & Arabic Form of government-federal parliamentary democracy & constitutional monarchy Form of government-federal parliamentary democracy & constitutional monarchy Primary religions-Protestant & Roman Catholic Primary religions-Protestant & Roman Catholic Major industries-mining, industrial & transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, & steel Major industries-mining, industrial & transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, & steel

3. Climate Tropical in the north Tropical in the north Temperate (warm summers & cool winters) in the south Temperate (warm summers & cool winters) in the south Interior is mostly desert or dry grassland Interior is mostly desert or dry grassland

4. Geography Covers 5% of Earth’s land area Covers 5% of Earth’s land area –Most is low & flat –Highest & most mountainous land lies along the east coast Nearly all the land west of this region (about 90% of the total land area) consists of level plains & plateaus Nearly all the land west of this region (about 90% of the total land area) consists of level plains & plateaus

5. Historical Background Founded in 1788 as a British convict colony Founded in 1788 as a British convict colony Was a place of banishment until gold strikes in 1851 opened floodgates of immigration Was a place of banishment until gold strikes in 1851 opened floodgates of immigration Independence came in 1901, with a constitution adapted in part from that of the United States. Immigration has been key to Australia's development since 1788; from 1945 through 2000 almost six million immigrants arrived. Aborigines number about 517,000, and the government is making efforts to settle aboriginal land rights Independence came in 1901, with a constitution adapted in part from that of the United States. Immigration has been key to Australia's development since 1788; from 1945 through 2000 almost six million immigrants arrived. Aborigines number about 517,000, and the government is making efforts to settle aboriginal land rights

6. Australian Cuisine Pasta CarbonaraPavlova (meringue cake) Australian Venison Lamb Noisette (lamb w/ vegetables) Peach & raspberry tart Australian cold water lobster