AUSTRALIA: ICONIC LAND DOWN UNDER
Australia is the sixth largest country on the planet, a continent and cultural icon. A place people yearn to visit, discover and belong. It’s big, 50% larger than Europe, but with the lowest population density in the world – only two people per square kilometre. We’ve got plenty of room for more!
Our coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometres and is linked by over 10,000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. Most Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, 80% of us in fact, making it an integral part of our laid-back lifestyle. Affectionately known as “the land Down Under”, Australia lies in the Southern hemisphere in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is not just a country but the world’s smallest continent. Home to 16 world heritage listed properties, amazing landscapes, rainforests and some of the most talked about wildlife in the world.
The total population of Australia is almost 21.5 million.
Canberra is the capital city, Sydney is the largest.
60% of us live in and around the state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
In 2008 four of these cities ranked amongst the top ten in The Worlds Most Liveable Cities.
Hobart the capital of Tasmania and Darwin are the least populous of all the Australian capital cities.
Our culture is a blend of indigenous traditions and modern influences. These traditions, our climate, landscape, proximity to Asia and the cultural influences of millions of migrants is what shapes Australia. The original inhabitants, the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders have been living here for at least 40,000 years and carry on their spiritual, creative and cultural traditions today. The majority of Australian’s are migrants or their descendents who have arrived here from 200 countries since Great Britain established the first European settlement at Sydney Cove in 1788. More than 43% of todays Australians, were either born overseas or have a parent who was.
Aussies love sport, both playing and watching it. We have a participation rate of around 70% in sporting activities. The ten most popular physical activities are walking, aerobics/fitness, swimming, cycling, tennis, golf, running, bushwalking, football (soccer) and netball. Others include, Australian football, rugby, hockey, basketball, baseball, car racing, horse racing, fishing, sailing and skiing.
Our climate is mainly warm and temperate which is why Australians enjoy an amazing outdoor lifestyle on the beaches and rivers and why so many people from all over the world want to visit, study and live here.
Visit www.australia.com for more information.
For a flavour of some of the beautiful locations around Australia, view the video below.
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