SOME DOWN UNDER FACTS

                                    Useful Info and Trivia

The country is known as the Commonwealth of Australia, winning its Independence on January 1, 1901.  Sir Edmond Barton, the first Prime Minister remarked, “For the first time in history we have a continent for a nation and a nation as a continent.” 

Canberra, the country’s capitol, is located in the Australia Capitol Territory (ACT).  Australia is a democracy and an independent member of British Commonwealth.Canberra is the seat of several embassies and the American one is one of the nicest I've seen around the world.

Geographically Australia is the size of the United States. The country’s seven states are Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. The country is bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean, on the south by the  Southern Ocean, on the east by the  Pacific Ocean, and on the north by the Coral Sea. The Tasman Sea is between Australia and Tasmania in the southeast corner of the country. The country is surrounded by 23,000 miles of coastline and is mineral rich with coal, tin and nickel .

Europe knew nothing of Australia until the 16^th century. Dutch ships on their way to Indonesia were blown off course and referred to this land as New Holland, but found nothing to spark interest in colonization.

In 1806 Captain William Bligh became Australia’s fourth governor. He lost the post two years later during the Rum Rebellion, and was succeeded by Lachlan Macquarie. It was during his tenure that sheep farming started to play an increasing role in the country’s economy.

Governance became more democratic with power increasingly going to legislative councils, first in New South Wales and then spreading to other colonies. Until the 20^th century Australia remained a collection of distinct colonies that had greater ties to England than to each other. It was after World Wars I and II that a true national identity was established.

Most of the population lives near the coast, leaving the interior of the country basically unpopulated. All the major cities are located on the coast.

Australia is a huge country and a long plane ride away. I would suggest a minimum visit of three weeks as there is so much to do and see. Picture yourself trying to see all of the US in the same amount of time—Australia is about the same size as the US.