Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is an island continent located in the southeastern hemisphere between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Comprised of several islands including mainland Australia, Tasmania and several other small islands, Australia has one of the highest living standards in the world and boasts a 100% literacy rate.http://www.dfat.gov.au/aib/overview.html

Australia has been inhabited for over 40,000 years by indigenous people, often called Aborigines and Torres, who were largely nomadic hunter-gatherers. The first European to come in contact with Australia was a Dutch explorer by the name of Willem Janszoon he arrived March of 1606, for the two centuries to follow Australia was known as New Holland. It wasn’t until 1770, when Captain James Cook sailed and mapped the east coast, claiming it as British territory. His discovery led to the creation of a British island penal colony in 1788. Australia remained mostly a place of banishment until gold discovery in 1851 caused prospectors to colonize the area. In 1901, Australia declared its independence and formalized its constitution, which is partly adapted from that of the United States.http://www.dfat.gov.au/aib/history.html

In early-February 2009, several bushfires broke out in the Victoria area of Australia. Within days, the blazes had blackened 500,000 acres as firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames. The fast-moving fires had claimed at least 170 lives as of February 9, 2009. Australian investigators said they believed at least some of the fires were the work of arsonists.Sky News: Oz Bushfire Death Toll Nears 200 (February 9, 2009) CNN: Australian PM: Wildfire arson is mass murder (February 9, 2009)

By the morning of February 10, 2009, several blazes continued to burn as officials assessed the extent of the damage. Australian police reportedly feared as many as 300 people had been killed in the blazes.The Sydney Morning Herald: Police fear 300 dead in the ashes (February 11, 2009)

Since April 19, 1984 the national anthem of Australia has been Advance Australia Fair, the words are as follows.

"Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature’s gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history’s page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair."

"Beneath our radiant Southern Cross We’ll toil with hearts and hands; To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands; For those who’ve come across the seas We’ve boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine To Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair."http://www.dfat.gov.au/aib/overview.html

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  Creative Commons image by "CIA World Factbook"

• World Atlas: Australia

• Official Site: Geoscience Australia

• Wikipdeia: Geography of Australia | Climate of Australia | Drought in Australia

• NationalGeographic: Australia Map

• Official Site: Australian Sports Commission

• SportsAustralia.com: Australia Sports

• totaltravel.com: Water Sports in Australia

• Wikipedia: Sport in Australia

• Wikipedia: Australian Rules Football in Australia

• Wikipedia: Rugby League in Australia

• Official Site: Cricket in Australia

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