- comes from lat. australis ("southern")

Briefly about the country

is a mainland state located in the southern hemisphere of the globe, it also includes the island of Tasmania
The sixth largest in the world. The political system is a parliamentary monarchy.
Australia is made up of six states:
The states are Victoria (VIC), Western Australia (WA), Queensland (QLD), Tasmania (TAS), South Australia (SA), New South Wales (NSW).
Australia is one of the ten richest and most prosperous countries in the world with 20 million people, with 80% of the population living in cities. In Australia, the number of kangaroos is more than the population of people by about 2 times.

Australia on the world map

Australia's official religions

- is a multi-confessional country, has no official religion.
Prevailing religious currents: Catholicism ~ 25%, Anglicanism ~ 19%, other religions are noticeably less.

Public holidays in Australia

1st of January — New Year
January 26 — Australia Day(January 26, 1788, Arthur Philip landed in Sydney Harbor and founded the first colony - New South Wales)
First Friday of February — mardi gras— (Gay and lesbian parade)
First decade of February — Lunar New Year
Second week of February — Royal regatta
The 14th of February — Valentine's Day
Second Tuesday in March — Commonwealth Day
Third Monday in March — Canberra Day
March 21 — Harmony Day(against racial discrimination)
March-May — Catholic Easter
April 1 — April Fool's Day
25th of April — ANZAC Day(Defender of the Fatherland Day)
First Monday in April — holiday regions western australia
Second Monday in March — holiday regions of Victoria and Tasmania
First Monday in May — holiday regions of Queensland and the Northern Territory
First Monday in October — holiday regions Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia
Second Friday in May — Mothers Day
First Monday in June — founding day(June 1, 1829)
June 3 — Mabo Day
Second Monday in June — Queen's birthday
First Sunday of September — father's day. Day of all parents. (The most popular gift on this day is a tie)
First Friday in November — Melbourne Cup(A horse race that almost every Australian bets on)
11th of November — Day of Remembrance
December 25 — Catholic Christmas
December 26 -Boxing Day(Boxing Day - gifts are made exclusively in boxes to people who are poorer than you)

The capital of Australia

Monetary unit of Australia

Australian dollar (AUD): consists of 100 cents, denoted by A$.
Denomination: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100$.
Australian $100 bill below, featuring Nellie Melda Australian singer

Official language in Australia

- Australian English

Australia dialing code

Australia domain zone

Major cities in Australia

Climate and weather in Australia

Australia is the driest continent, and the climate on the mainland is very diverse. There are a lot of deserts in Australia, almost a third of its territory is covered with deserts.
Australia is located in four climatic zones:
- subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate (Tasmania island). In simple terms, the climate on mainland Australia is varied from hot to cold.
But basically, of course, the weather in Australia is hot, consider the average annual air temperature using the example of the city of Sydney:

Visa to Australia

Plants. Flora of Australia

Acacia, Davisia, Soya, Corimbia, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Leptospermum, Buzz, Olearia, Triodia, Banksia, Grevillea, Sit, Caladenia, Pterostylis, Boronia, Correa, Citrus, Leukopogon, Epakris, Ricinocarpos

Animals. fauna of australia

Australian population

~ 23 million 100 thousand

Australia Square

~ 7 million 700 thousand sq. km.

Australia Hotels

On the example of Melbourne

Flights from Russia to Australia cheap

Tours to Australia

Average life expectancy in Australia

80.7 years (women = 83.6 men = 77.8)

Photos of Australia

The term "Australia" comes from the Latin. australis ("southern")

Australia on the world map is a federation of six states: South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland. In addition, it includes two more units - the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. This country also owns several islands - including Cocos, Coral, Ashmore and Cartier, Christmas Island and McDonald.

The Many Faces of Australia

Australia is one of the most developed countries in the world. It occupies the entire continent in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the nearby islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Several unique facts are connected with this country at once: only it is located on the whole mainland and near it is the largest island of Tasmania.

Australia neighbors New Zealand, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands. This country is so rich in nature and interesting cities that millions of tourists rush here all year round. Great Bas-relief reef, resort islands, amazing beaches, bustling metropolises, sea cruises and hiking in the mountains. All year round for tourists here is a real paradise.

Capital

Officially, this state is called the Commonwealth of Australia. Its capital is Canberra. The city was created artificially so that two large and famous cities, Sydney and Melbourne, were at the same distance from it. Both of them have long fought for the status of the main Australian city. When the question arises, “Australia’s capital is Sydney or Canberra,” many immediately answer: Sydney. This is understandable, because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and therefore is widely known. This metropolis is the cultural and economic capital, everything is in full swing here, there are many attractions.

But Canberra performs only administrative functions. Less than 400 thousand people live here, and one day is enough for tourists to explore everything. The function of the city is not a tourist one: there are offices of large companies and banks, as well as the House of Parliament. The capital of the Commonwealth of Australia was created artificially, everything here is thought out to the smallest detail - administrative buildings and residential areas are strictly ordered, Canberra is a world model of urban planning.

State structure

The state became independent only at the beginning of the last century, it is still part of the British Commonwealth, even the laws here are based on the English legal system. The system of power in Australia is a little confused, it is divided between the Parliament and the British monarch, but he is a nominal figure, he is appointed by the British government, and he delegates his powers to the prime minister. The capital of Australia, Canberra, is the city where they are located.

Climate of Australia

In the country located on the whole mainland, the climate varies depending on the regions. It is tropical in the center, subequatorial in the north, subtropical in the south. In the northern regions, the average annual air temperature is 23-28 degrees Celsius, and there is quite a lot of precipitation. Winter is not very happy with dry and hot winds that lead to drought.

But the coast and the eastern part are famous for their mild warm climate. In Sydney, the maximum air temperature in the warm season reaches a comfortable 25 degrees, and in the coldest month the thermometer drops to 15 degrees below zero. In the center and in the west of the mainland - a classic desert climate, typical of the tropics. In calendar winter it is 30 degrees Celsius, in the center - up to 45, but in summer - no more than 10-15 degrees, in the center - sometimes the temperature drops below zero. Summers are hot and dry, winters are warm and humid. The local climate is similar to the Mediterranean, as in the south of France and in Spain.

Tourist paradise

For tourists, Australia is expanse. Many routes, fascinating cities, beautiful rivers, waterfalls and mountains. Only here live kangaroos, koalas and platypuses. And in the forests grow giant eucalyptus trees, bamboo and ferns. The latter reaches 20 meters in height and is a unique sight.

You can relax on the ocean coast, climb mountains, plunge into the noisy world of megacities - taste the joys of their entertainment venues, ancient monuments, theaters and temples, enjoy shopping. Most tourists are attracted by the east coast of the mainland, where there are popular resorts and a marine park, as well as fabulous conditions for surfers. Created by nature and man. The service only complements the endless sea depths - with grottoes, caves, amazing fish and corals.

It is one of the most beautiful and visited cities in the world. Far beyond the borders of the country is famous for its Opera House, the zoo and the Royal Botanical Garden. Sydney is the largest and oldest city in Australia with a population of over 4 million people. Its calling card is two skyscrapers: a TV tower, reaching a height of almost 260 meters, and the headquarters of an insurance company, 15 meters lower. At the top of the TV tower is a revolving restaurant and an observation deck.

As in any metropolis, there are many museums, theaters, entertainment centers and restaurants. Tourists are very fond of visiting the local Taronga Zoo, one of the largest in the world. About 3 thousand animals live in it - giraffes, Asian and African elephants, platypuses that do not live anywhere else. Performances with exotic birds and marine animals are regularly held here.

Sydney is surrounded on all sides by beaches, parks and mountains - modern service is combined with rich and generous nature. People from all over the world come here for sea holidays - no other city has so many magnificent beaches. Almost 3 million tourists visit them every year. But three centuries ago there was only a small settlement of English convicts. On the beach near the water you can admire corals, starfish and flowers, colorful fish scurrying along the shore. At the same time, tourists are warned that residents of other continents may not always have a safe allergic reaction to many of them. These beauties must be handled very carefully.

What to see in Sydney

In the city center there are several places where it is interesting to get tourists. One of them is Hyde Park, which contains several gardens, many alleys, unique plants and fountains. Not far from it is the Cathedral of St. Mary, built two centuries ago in the neo-Gothic style, and therefore seems more ancient. It stands out against the backdrop of a super-modern city with ancient architecture. The cathedral is built of golden sandstone and contains 40 biblical stained glass windows. In one of the galleries there is a copy of the famous statue "Pieta" by Michelangelo, the original of which is in the Vatican.

The map of the city's tourist routes also includes the Art Gallery, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Harbor, where you can take a great walk and take a photo as a keepsake. From here you can go on a small cruise on a paddle steamer of the last century, taste traditional Australian cuisine on it, and, if you wish, take part in a jazz concert. Sydney Harbor is a magnificent waterfront with numerous restaurants.

To the west of it is the tourist area of ​​Darling Harbor, where attractions are on every corner. Here is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Tourists walk through the glass underwater tunnels, where they can almost touch sharks, rays and turtles - in total, about 5 thousand waterfowl live here. If desired, you can even order a deep dive.

It combines two statuses - cultural and industrial. As the capital of the state of Victoria, the city impresses with a mixture of two architectural styles - modern and Victorian. The local tram network is the largest in the world. Melbourne attracts visitors with constantly held festivals, carnivals, fashion shows and sports competitions: horse racing and tennis tournaments.

The locals are very sociable, most of them are Italians and Greeks who settled here during the Gold Rush. Tours to this city are very popular. Tourists are attracted by beautiful parks, rich quarters for nobles, galleries with masterpieces by Rembrandt and Tiepolo, picturesque rivers and lakes. About 20 years ago, Melbourne received the title of "Most Liveable City on Earth".

Tours to Australia

They are quite versatile. In addition to the two major cities, you can visit Darwin, Hobart, Brisbane and Adelaide. Each one is unique: Darwin has a saltwater crocodile farm, and Adelaide hosts Formula 1 races. You can also go to Australia in order to touch the natural nature. There are many reserves, forests where you can admire koalas and colorful parrots.

If you wish, you can climb the highest peak of Australia - Mount Kosciuszko, choosing one of three routes for this, they differ in the level of difficulty. Rare species of plants grow on the mountain and rare animals live. There are especially many tourists here during the cold season - local ski slopes are suitable for any level of difficulty, and the service can satisfy the most sophisticated conqueror of mountain peaks.

Island resorts

The Great Barrier Reef is an entire underwater kingdom, home to thousands of species of corals, fish and other marine animals.

Tourists are also interested in getting to know the Great Bas-Reef, the world's largest haven for colorful corals. This is the main attraction of Australia, known throughout the world for its resort islands, including Hyman, Hamilton and Bedarra. Here you can be alone with the pristine nature and relax from all the fuss. Yachts, diving, fishing, walks in the parks - the rest will be bright and unforgettable.

Only couples in love are allowed on Lizard Island, holidays with children are prohibited here. A maximum of 16 couples can be accommodated in multiple villas among tropical palm trees. You can't go to Orpheus Island with children either. Fitzroy Island, on the contrary, is intended for families and ecotourism lovers, as it is part of the national park. Heron Island attracts divers from all over the world, as the local underwater world is considered the most convenient and magnificent for diving.

Australian cuisine is one of the most diverse and colorful cuisines in the world. Based on Anglo-Irish traditions, she absorbed great amount culinary techniques of Asian cuisine, especially Japanese, Chinese and Malay

The locals are very friendly, they do not recognize authorities and welcome guests very cordially. For the most part, they prefer ease in everything - clothes, communication style, do not like long conversations about anything. The national cuisine is distinguished by the same simplicity. In it you can find echoes of English, Italian, Chinese cuisine - all the peoples who settled here at different times.

Simplicity is expressed in the fact that fast food is popular here - meat pies, vegetarian sandwiches, kangaroo fillets and fried onions. Australians consider meat to be their main dish, which must be well fried. Moreover, they do not like exotic kangaroo - basically it is considered the food of the poor.

The cuisine is also rich in tropical exotic fruits and fish. It is prepared especially here: various herbs are placed on smoldering coals, then fish and again herbs. Above - again coals. This method was inherited from the natives, the fish turns out amazingly tasty. They also know how to make cheese here.

From Australia, tourists usually bring souvenirs made by Aborigines - wooden figurines and clothes made from very fine wool obtained from local sheep. Among the popular "souvenirs" are jewelry, local pink diamonds and Australian opals are famous all over the world. But the most important thing is exciting trips around the country and impressions about them are bright and unforgettable.

City Canberra is the capital of Australia, located in the depths of the continent about 120 kilometers northwest of the coast of the Tasman Sea. For many years, the dispute between Melbourne and Sydney for the right to be called the capital continued. In order not to offend anyone, in 1908 it was decided to build a new metropolis - Canberra, which received this honorary status. The name of the city from the language of the Australian Aborigines is translated as "a place for meetings."

Among the famous architects of the world, a competition was announced for the best project. The tender was won by specialists from Chicago - Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahoney. The architectural plan was presented as a “garden city”, the concept of which included the greening of space in such a way that vast areas of natural vegetation were preserved in the capital.

Today the capital of Australia included in almost all manuals on architecture as a vivid example of a harmonious combination of pristine nature and the metropolis. In addition to walking and landscape gardening areas, the city has a large number of various museums, art galleries, and places of worship.

City of Canberra located in the zone of tropical continental climate, the characteristic features of which are frequent and sharp changes in daily temperature. The climatic conditions here can hardly be called comfortable. In summer days, the temperature ranges from +27 to +35C, while in winter there are often fogs and frosts down to -10C.

Lake Burley Griffin - the center of Canberra

The entire territory of Canberra is divided into districts, districts and quarters. Between them there are picturesque parks and alleys. In total, more than 10 million trees have been planted in the city, brought from different parts of the world. Here you can find Japanese sakura, harmoniously adjacent to Russian birch and almond tree.

Main attractions in Canberra are located in its very center, starting from the artificial lake Burley Griffin. The diamond-shaped pond, named after the architect of the city, has a fairly large depth - about 18 meters. Sailing regattas, canoeing and kayaking competitions are held here. The reservoir was formed in 1963 thanks to a dam built on the Molonglo River. Today it is not only the center of the capital, but also one of its main attractions. A huge fountain was created on the lake, throwing a column of water to a height of 147 meters, its launch was timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the landing of James Cook on the coast of the Australian continent.

Right on the shore of the lake, the National Carillon rises majestically. The tower, 50 meters high, was donated by the government of England in honor of the 50th anniversary of the capital of Australia. The opening was attended by the English Queen Elizabeth II.

The carillon has 55 bells of different sizes and weights. During the river walk, you can hear various pieces of music performed with the help of bells.

High Court of Australia and Commonwealth Park

The modern building of the High Court of Australia with its extraordinary design is hard to miss. The structure of glass and concrete rises on the shore of the lake and is a multiple winner of numerous architectural competitions. The glass fragments of the walls symbolize the transparency of the Australian judicial system, so anyone can attend any trial. The doors of the High Court are open to visitors on weekdays, admission is free.

Around Lake Burley Griffin there is a park zone, which occupies a total of more than 3 thousand square kilometers. Some parks included in this zone were specially designed as recreational areas, for example, Weston Park, Kings Park, Lennox Gardens, Commonwealth Park.

Situated on the north side of the lake, Commonwealth Park is a popular recreational spot for locals.A large number of various sculptures are installed on its territory, pedestrian paths and bicycle routes are equipped. The park lawns are sown with soft grass, electric barbecues are installed, and places for swimming are equipped. Every year Canberra hosts the Floriada Flower Festival, the largest event of its kind in the world. Between September and October, the beds of the Commonwealth Park are transformed into paintings with various subjects, using more than one million fresh flowers instead of paint.

Memorials and museums of the Australian capital

In 1970, exactly 200 years after James Cook first saw the shores of the Australian continent, a memorial was unveiled in Canberra in his honor. The opening was attended by Queen Elizabeth II of England. The James Cook Memorial is set on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and is a globe on which all the routes and discoveries of the famous navigator are marked.

One of the most visited places in the city Canberra is an Australian war memorial dedicated to the events of the First World War and the inhabitants of the continent who became its victims. The troops of the Australian continent suffered the main damage in the last century, in 1916, in battles in France. The memorial complex, which includes a sculpture garden, the tomb of the unknown soldier, and an exhibition dedicated to military nurses, was opened in 1941. The memorial presents military relics, weapons and uniforms from two world wars, dioramas and models of equipment. A fascinating guided tour will allow you to better understand the role of Australian soldiers in military events.

Thanks to the efforts of the Australian government, the capital of Canberra has become a real focus of art galleries and museums. Almost all the old mansions and estates were purchased, and museum exhibitions were created within their walls. One of these objects was Blundell's Cottage, built in the middle of the 19th century. The building gives a clear idea of ​​the life and culture of the first settlers who moved to the continent from Europe. Today, there are no longer those agricultural buildings around the cottage, and modern offices and houses have been erected nearby.

In the suburb of Acton there is another major museum complex - the National Museum of Australia. In its exhibition pavilions, aboriginal cultural items are presented, the history of which goes back about 50 thousand years. There is also a pavilion dedicated to the Sydney Olympics and a pavilion where you can get acquainted with the history of the country after 1788.

Within the walls of the museum there is a collection of drawings of local peoples made on tree bark, as well as stone tools. The postmodern style building, with an area of ​​about 7,000 square meters, is a separate room, interconnected in a semicircle. In 2005-2006, the museum was recognized as the country's most important tourist attraction.

Australian Government House and Questacon

The Government House is the official residence of the Governor General of the Continent. The house, located in the suburbs of the capital, is surrounded by more than 50 hectares of parkland. This is the most prestigious and expensive area, where most of the foreign embassies are located. The residence often hosts receptions of distinguished guests and various festive events.

The project of the house belongs to the American architect Walter Burley Griffin. According to the plan, it was supposed to be surrounded by fountains and ponds, but not all ideas could be realized. The main part of the building was built in the Victorian style. Ornamental shrubs, eucalyptus and cedars are planted on the garden plot.

Questacon is another interesting attraction in Canberra, located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The National Science and Technology Center is especially popular with children, as everything is done to spark interest in science in young visitors.

The purpose of the Questacon is to convey to society the importance of technical and scientific discoveries, and most importantly, to do it in an interesting way. Therefore, everyone can take part in games and experiments. The center is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. A visit will cost from 17.5 dollars.

Situated among the hills of a picturesque valley, the capital of Australia is surrounded by dense forests of eucalyptus trees. Locals refer to Canberra as the "forest capital" as the city's neighborhoods include significant areas of natural vegetation. The city was conceived as a garden city and, indeed, there are more green areas here than anywhere else; for four hundred inhabitants, 8 million trees grow in the city.

Canberra was built for more than half a century, and before that, another 10 years were choosing a place for construction. The decision to build a new city and call it the capital arose after many years of serious disputes and disagreements between the two largest and most significant cities in Australia - Sydney and Melbourne. The government opened an international competition for the best design for the new city, which was won by the American architect W. B. Griffin. According to his plan, the Parliament was to become the center of the city, and the system of circular and radial wide streets radiating from the center was to connect it with residential areas. Construction began in 1913. Unfortunately, not all the ideas of Griffin's progressive plan were implemented; disappointed with the results of construction and interference from local officials, the author of the project resigned in 1920.

The Molonglo River flows through Canberra, on which a dam was built to form the artificial lake Burley Griffin. Prior to the construction of this dam, the population of the surrounding hills suffered from severe floods every year during the rainy season, and the city was flooded. Built largely according to the Griffin Plan, the city's downtown area is traversed by a freeway that is part of the "Y-Plan" - a city development program in which commercial and retail areas are interconnected by freeways. The layout of these areas, urban centers, resembles the shape of the letter Y. Canberra consists of seven districts, each of which has a center, suburbs, villages and industrial areas.

Most of the city's population is young people, the average age of a resident of Canberra is 32 years. They are mostly natives of Australia, and only a fifth of them are immigrants. The capital has the highest per capita income, low unemployment and the highest rents. Residents are employed mainly in government and defense industries, as well as in software companies.

Canberra has many national museums, historical and national monuments, art and art galleries, theaters and music collections. Very interesting to visit.

Canberra is often compared to the capital of Brazil. Perhaps the whole thing is an artificial lake or a lot of greenery within the city. A huge number of parks and beautiful buildings make the capital simply irresistible. Canberra's sole task is to govern the country. You will not find factories within the city, nothing is produced here. Canberra is home to the Australian government.

How to get to the capital of Australia?

There are currently no direct flights to Canberra. In order to visit this city, you will first have to fly to Sydney or Melbourne, and then transfer to a transport that transports passengers within the country. Canberra is not on the coast, but it can be a great place for tourists. The distance from Sydney to the capital is approximately 280 km, and from Melbourne - 650 km.

Sights of the capital

The Canberra Parliament building houses the government of the country. This building was rebuilt several times until the required design and form was achieved. The modern version of the Parliament building is really impressive. It is simply huge, and on the roof is a majestic mast. The structure is located on a hill; during construction, the architects had to remove part of the hill. After the completion of the project, all the soil was again placed back, placing a huge stunning flower garden on it. Now the area near the Parliament is fragrant almost all year round, delighting tourists and residents of Canberra.

Within the capital of Australia there is a fairly large number of different monuments. Perhaps the most famous is the Australian War Memorial. It is an eternal reminder of the losses that the Commonwealth War brought to the country. A sculpture is dedicated to each army unit, and together they form an impressive garden.

Another impressive architectural structure in Canberra is the building of the National Gallery of Australia. Here is the main art gallery of the country, which carries the spirit of freedom of the Australian people. If you are going to Canberra don't forget to admire the paintings, they are really impressive.

Do not miss the opportunity to take a walk on Black Mountain. This is a hill that is part of the Canberra National Park. Any buildings are prohibited here. At the top of the hill is a telecommunications tower 190 meters high. At its top, there is a stunning restaurant, which is perhaps the most romantic place in Canberra.