Australia
Brief description of the country
Australia is the only mainland in the world with only one country. Australia can surprise even the most experienced tourist, it is here that you can see kangaroos in their natural habitat. You can see the main attractions of the country by driving along the Great Ocean Road, the length of which is 243 km. The road accompanies drivers with stunning views: limestone rocks of 12 apostles, the London arch, the Lock-Hard ridge.
A magnificent beauty attraction in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Reef is known for the most beautiful corals in the world. You can look at it using the tour on a special plane, and sob among this beauty by sailing here with a boat. The Great Barrier Reef owns another natural attraction of this continent - Witsandi Islands. This is a huge Pacific archipelago, representing 74 islands with white sands and luxurious palm trees.
The national parks of the country simply admire the natural wealth. Among them, the Blue Mountains National Reserve has its place of honor, which is located near Sydney. This park is known for its rocky terrain, tropical forests, as well as beautiful waterfalls and lakes.
Kakadu National Park is another natural admiration of this mainland. On the territory of 20,000 km2, you can see a variety of hills, plains and valleys. In conditions of wildlife, rare species of the animal world are found here.
Another attraction of Australia is the Uluro Rock, which is located in the middle of the continent. This red hill in the middle of the plain has a 348 meter height. In this unusual place, you can, with pleasure, conduct an excursion, even local natives.
The dream of any tourist is to visit Australia. And as you see, there is something to see. After all, such a talented sculptor as Bruno Torfs lives here, who installed hundreds of sculptures made with his own hands in the city park of Marysville. This area was named after the sculptor - Bruno Torfs Garden. Walking in the park you can stumble upon witches, sorcerers, beautiful nymphs, an Indian sailing in a canoe or even a lonely pianist in a forest more often.
History
Australia has been inhabited by Aboriginal peoples for over 60,000 years. In 1770, Captain James Cook reached the coast of Australia and took it into the possession of Great Britain. In 1788, the first fleet of British colonists arrived in Sydney and the colonization of Australia began. In 1851, a gold rush was discovered, which led to a rapid increase in population and economy.
In 1901, the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, which became an independent country within the British Empire. In 1914, Australia entered World War I on the British side. In 1939, the Second World War began, and Australia again entered it on the side of Britain.
In the post-war period, Australia became one of the most developed countries in the world. In 1975, Australia became completely independent from Great Britain. In 2000, Sydney was chosen to host the Summer Olympics.
Today Australia is one of the most developed and prosperous countries in the world. Its economy is based on the extraction of coal, iron ore, gold and other natural resources, as well as the development of tourism and services. Australia is a multicultural country with people from all over the world.
Climate
The climate of Australia is diverse and depends on the geographical location, topography and proximity to the ocean. In general, Australia has a subtropical and tropical climate, dry and hot, Mediterranean and temperate climates.
The northern part of Australia has a tropical climate, with high humidity and heavy rain during the summer. In winter it is dry and hot here. Central Australia has a desert climate with very little rainfall and high temperatures throughout the year. In the southern regions of Australia, the climate is temperate, with cool winters and warm summers. There are also strong winds and rains.
There are seasons in Australia, but they are not as pronounced as in other countries. Summer in Australia lasts from December to February and is the hottest time of the year. The average air temperature during this period is about +30 degrees Celsius. Winter in Australia lasts from June to August and is cool but not cold. The average air temperature during this period is about +15 degrees Celsius.
In Australia, there are also severe fires, especially during the dry and hot summers. This is because many plants in Australia contain oils that are highly flammable. In addition, severe storms and hurricanes often occur in Australia, especially in the northern part of the country.
In general, the climate of Australia is hot and dry, but it can vary significantly in different regions of the country. When planning a trip to Australia, you must take into account the climatic conditions and choose the right time of year to visit different regions.
Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna of Australia are unique and varied. Most of the animal and plant species found on the continent are found nowhere else in the world.
Among animals, the most famous are the kangaroo, koala, wombat, Tasmanian devil, emu, cassowary, crocodile, as well as many species of birds, fish and insects.
The flora of Australia is also unique. On the continent, there are many plant species that are not found anywhere else in the world, such as eucalyptus, stock, banksia, mimosa, acacia.
However, due to the long period of isolation and lack of predators, many species of animals and plants are under the threat of their extinction. The Australian Government is currently taking action to conserve and protect the continent's unique flora and fauna.
Geography
Australia is a continent and country in the Southern Hemisphere, located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the sixth largest country in the world and covers an area of about 7.7 million square kilometers.
Australia borders only one country - Indonesia, and also has maritime borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and New Zealand.
The largest cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Darwin.
The climate of Australia is varied, from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. In general, Australia is known for its hot and dry climate, especially in the central and western regions.
Australia is known for its unique natural attractions such as Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Kangaroo National Park, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and many others.
National cuisine
The national cuisine of Australia does not have a clear definition, as the country has a multinational culture and cuisine. However, there are a few dishes that are considered traditional in Australia:
- A meat pie is a pie stuffed with meat, usually beef or lamb, with onions and spices.
- Barbecue is a popular way of cooking in Australia. Usually grilled meat, fish and vegetables.
- Lamintons are a traditional Australian biscuit made of biscuit pieces dipped in chocolate icing and sprinkled with coconut.
- BBQ shrimp is a popular grilled dish in Australia. Shrimps are marinated in sauce and fried until golden brown.
Travel Tips
- Plan your itinerary in advance. Australia is a very large country, and to see all the sights, you need to plan your route well.
- Refer to local rules and laws. Australia has its own characteristics, which may differ from other countries. For example, it is forbidden to smoke on the beaches and in public places.
- Be prepared for weather conditions. Australia can get very hot, especially during the summer months. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
- Try the local cuisine. Australian cuisine is very diverse and interesting. Don't miss the opportunity to try local dishes like kangaroo meat or Tasmanian trout.
- Be careful with wildlife. Australia has many wild animals such as crocodiles, snakes and spiders. Be careful not to get too close to them.
- Don't forget the local culture. Australians are very proud of their culture and traditions. Explore them and don't forget to visit local museums and galleries.
- Travel by bus and train. Public transport is very developed in Australia and it can be a great way to get around the country.
- Don't forget security. Australia is a safe country, but do not forget about your safety. Do not leave your belongings unattended and do not walk through dark streets in unfamiliar areas.
Visa and customs
You need a visa to visit Australia. There are several types of visas, depending on the purpose of the trip: tourist, business, student, etc. To obtain a visa, you must fill out the appropriate form and provide the necessary documents, such as a passport, plane tickets, hotel booking confirmation.
It is also necessary to take into account the requirements of customs control when entering Australia. It is forbidden to import drugs, weapons, dangerous animals and plants, as well as large sums of money without declaration. Upon entering the country, baggage and personal belongings may be searched.
It is also important to consider that Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons here are opposite to the northern hemisphere. For example, summer in Australia comes in December-February, and winter - in June-August.
Holidays, festivals
Australia is a country with a rich culture and many holidays and festivals. Some of them:
- Australia Day (January 26) is a national holiday commemorating the arrival of the first British colonists in 1788.
- Anzac Day (April 25) is a day of remembrance and respect for the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died during the First World War.
- Vivid Sydney (May-June) is a festival of light, music and art that takes place in Sydney.
- The Melbourne Book Fair Festival (August) is Australia's largest literary festival.
- The Barossa Food and Wine Festival (September) is an Australian food and wine festival that takes place in the Barossa region of South Australia.
- Sydney Mardi Gras Festival (February) is Australia's largest gay festival, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world.
- The Bondi Winter Festival (June-July) is a winter sports festival that takes place on Bondi Beach in Sydney.
- The Tasmanian Festival (January) is Australia's largest music festival, taking place on the island of Tasmania.
- Adelaide Cabaret Festival (February-March) is a theater, music and comedy festival that takes place in Adelaide.
- The Bridgetown Blues Festival (November) is Australia's largest blues music festival, taking place in the city of Bridgetown in Western Australia.
Shopping and souvenirs
In Australia, you can find many interesting souvenirs and gifts that will remind you of a trip to this amazing country. Some of them:
- Boomerangs are a traditional Australian souvenir that can be found in many stores. Boomerangs come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be used as a decoration or a game.
- Aboriginal Art - Australia is known for its traditional Aboriginal art, which can be found in shops and galleries. These can be paintings, sculptures, jewelry and other items.
- Kangaroo and koala - Kangaroo and koala soft toys are popular souvenirs that you can buy in many stores.
- Wine Gifts - Australia is known for its wines, so wine gifts such as bottles of wine or tasting kits can be a great choice.
- Opal Gifts - Opals are Australia's national stone and many shops carry jewelry and other items made from this stone.
- Australian spices and sauces - Australia is known for its cuisine, and many shops offer spices and sauces that you can bring as a gift.
- Velvet souvenirs - Velvet is a traditional material for Australian souvenirs such as bags, purses and other items.
- Australian watches - many stores offer watches with Australian motifs such as kangaroos or koalas.
- Wooden souvenirs - Australia is known for its exotic woods and many stores offer wooden souvenirs such as wooden toys or jewelry.
Entertainment
- Surfing - Australia is known for its beautiful beaches and great surfing conditions. Many tourists come to Australia to try their hand at this sport.
- The Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful road routes in the world. It is over 240 km long and runs along the southern coast of Australia, offering amazing views of the ocean, cliffs and beaches.
- Visit Sydney - Australia's largest city, famous for its attractions such as the Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge and Bondi Beach.
- A visit to Ayers Rock (Uluru) is one of the most famous places in Australia where you can see a huge stone monolith, which is a holy place for the local Aborigines.
- A visit to the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most beautiful places in the world where you can dive into the world of diving and see a wide variety of marine animals and plants.