Australia

Australia is a continent that has been inhabited by Aborigines for tens of thousands of years. The first permanent European settlement in Australia was established by the British at the site of present-day Sydney on 26 January 1788. Australia became a separate country on 1 January 1901.

Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, south of Asia and is the world’s smallest continent. Australia is considered a developed country. Its national anthem is Advance Australia Fair.

History

Studies have found that Australia was probably first inhabited between 40,000 and 45,000 years ago, but other studies conclude that it may have been much longer ago than this. It is possible that they migrated from Asia.

Before colonisation by the British in 1788, Australia was inhabited by indigenous people called Aborigines. These people lived nomadic lives in tribes, located throughout all of Australia, including the deserts, but especially along the coast. Their population remained stable over the duration of their existence, and they remained primitive up until the British arrived. Notable inventions by the Aborigines include the boomerang and the didgeridoo. The Aborigines, like many other races, created mythological stories known collectively as the ‘dreamtime’ stories. These stories cover areas such as the creation of various landmarks, rivers, and star constellations. Many Aborigines exist today, and are able to continue their tradition, however, many feel that they have not been given back what they are owed for many years of mistreatment. Recently, many steps have been taken to increase the quality of life of the Aborigines.

During World War I, Australia played a major role in the battle of Gallipoli, an attempt to open the channel for trade with Russia. However, due to poor planning and other factors, it was an overall failure. Despite this, Australians commemorate the battle with ANZAC day. The landings at Gallipoli are considered Australia’s ‘baptism of fire’.

During World War II, mainland Australia saw no action except for rare surprise bombings of the northern cities by Japanese planes. However, Australia did fight in many significant battles in order to stop the advance of Japan.

Australia took part in both the Vietnam War and second Iraq War. It is a supporter of the war on terrorism.

Australia is still a member of the British Commonwealth, and has the Union Jack on its flag, along with the Southern Cross and Commonwealth Star.

States and Territories

Australia is divided up into five states and two territories. Each with a capital city. The capital territory of Australia is the Australian Capital Territory, and the capital city of Australia is Canberra.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - Canberra

Victoria (VIC) - Melbourne

New South Wales (NSW) - Sydney

Queensland (QLD) - Brisbane

South Australia (SA) - Adelaide

Northern Territory (NT) - Darwin

Western Australia (WA) – Perth

Tasmania (TAS) - Hobart

Economy

Australia uses the Australian Dollar (AUD) as its currency. Currently one Australian dollar trades for about 0.8 US Dollars.

Politics

Australia’s current Prime Minister is John Howard of the Liberal Party. The opposition is the Labor Party, led by Kevin Rudd. Unlike many other countries, voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 or over. Australia is a constitutional monarchy, with Elizabeth II as its queen.

Australia has close relations with the United States and Asia, and has special trade treaties with both. Australia currently has a free-trade agreement with the United States.

Bibliography

• Richard Appleton and Barbara Appleton. The Cambridge Dictionary of Australian Places (1993)
• Susan Bambrick, ed. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Australia (1994)
• Stewart Firth. Australia in International Politics: An Introduction to Australian Foreign Policy Allen & Unwin. 2005. online edition
• Ian Mcallister, Steve Dowrick, Riaz Hassan; The Cambridge Handbook of the Social Sciences in Australia Cambridge University Press, 2003 online edition
• Barry Penney. Australia - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (2006)
• John Shaw, ed. Collins Australian Encyclopedia (1984)

Economics

• Paul Kelly, The End of Certainty: Power, Politics and Business in Australia, Allen & Unwin, 1994,
• Anthony Moran; Australia: Nation, Belonging, and Globalization Routledge, 2004 online edition

History

• Atkinson, Alan. The Europeans in Australia: A History. Vol. 2: Democracy. Oxford U. Pr., 2005. 440 pp.
• Anthony Barker. What Happened When: A Chronology of Australia from 1788. Allen & Unwin. 2000. online edition
• Geoffrey Bolton. The Oxford History of Australia: Volume 5: 1942-1995. The Middle Way (2005)
• Breward, Ian. A History of the Churches in Australasia. Oxford U. Pr., 2002. 474 pp.
• Carl Bridge, ed., Munich to Vietnam:Australia's Relations with Britain and the United States since the 1930s, Melbourne University Press 1991
• Frank G. Clarke. The History of Australia Greenwood Press. 2002. online edition
• F. K. Crowley; Australia's Western Third: A History of Western Australia from the First Settlements to Modern Times 1960 online edition
• Day, Alan. Historical Dictionary of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia. Scarecrow, 2003. 321 pp.
• Garden, Don. Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific: An Environmental Hisory. ABC-CLIO, 2005. 398 pp.
• Mark Hearn, Harry Knowles, and Ian Cambridge. One Big Union: A History of the Australian Workers Union 1886-1994 (1998)
• Rod Kemp, Marion Stanton, eds. Speaking for Australia: Parliamentary Speeches That Shaped Our Nation Allen & Unwin, 2004 online edition
• Beverley Kingston. The Oxford History of Australia: Volume 3: 1860-1900 Glad, Confident Morning (1993)
• Jan Kociumbas. The Oxford History of Australia: Volume 2: 1770-1860 Possessions (1995)
• Macintyre, Stuart. The Oxford History of Australia: Volume 4: 1901-42, the Succeeding Age (1993)
• Macintyre, Stuart. A Concise History of Australia (2004)
• Alan Watt, The Evolution of Australian Foreign Policy 1938–1965, Cambridge University Press, 1967

Culture and society

• Sylvia Kleinert and Margo Neale. The Oxford Companion to Aboriginal Art and Culture (2001)
• Alan McCulloch. Encyclopedia of Australian Art 2 vol (1984)
• McDonald, John. Federation: Australian Art and Society, 1901-2001. Natl. Gallery of Australia, 2002. 264 pp.
• Nile, Richard. The Making of the Australian Literary Imagination. U. of Queensland Pr., 2002. 315 pp.
• The Oxford Literary History of Australia.
• Samuels, Selina, ed. Australian Writers, 1915-50. Gale, 2002. 510 pp.
• Elizabeth Webby, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Australian Literature (2006)

External Links

Australian Government Website

Indigenous Australians Government Website