Australia is the smallest continent but the 6th largest country. It has a population of around 20 million concentrated along the east and south east coast. The capital is Canberra. Australia was first inhabited by Aboriginal people over 50,000 years ago and was later colonized by Europeans in the 18th century. Australia has a mostly arid continental climate with hot days and cool nights. The interior outback desert covers much of the country and is too dry for many people. Famous places include the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbor Bridge, and Uluru.

1. AUSTRALIA

2. SUMMARY GENERAL INFORMATION COLONISATION CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY FAMOUS PLACES IN AUSTRALIA MOVIE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ihz2iigYc8&NR=1

3. VOCABULARY Western - coming or originating from the west Barren - unproductive; unfruitful; sterile Cattle - bovine animals, especially domesticated members of the genus Bos Plateaus - a land area having a relatively level surface considerably raised above adjoining land on at least one side, and often cut by deep canyons Scattered – dispersed; disorganized Reef - a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water

4. GENERAL INFORMATIONS Australia is the smallest continent , but the 6th country relative to the surface ; Population is - 20 millions inhabitants- essentially concentrated along the east and south east coast. The capital is Camberra . The country is divided in 6 states and 2 territories : New South Wales (capital : Sydney), Queensland (Brisbane), South Australia (Adelaide), Victoria (Melbourne), Western Australia (Perth), Tasmania (Hobart), Northern Territory (Darwin), Australian Capital Territory (Camberra).

5. COLONISATION Australia has been inhabited for at least 50,000 years. It was first inhabited by the remote Asian ancestors of the current Australian Aboriginal people. Australia was not discovered by Europeans until the 17th century. In the 18 th century, a penal colony was founded in Sydney. The First Fleet with Convicts arrived at Sydney in 26 January, 1788, went on to mark Australia Day. In 1 January 1901, Australia became Federation.

6. CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY Much of Australia has a continental climate . The temperatures get hot during the day, then drop considerably at night. Australia is also very arid, getting very little rain. Australia is famous for its " outback ," the desert outback covers most of the interior. It is too hot, dry and barren to support many people. Eastern Australia has large areas of grasslands, used primarily for sheep and cattle ranches. Australia also has some mountainous areas and plateaus scattered throughout the country. As an island, Australia also has many beautiful coastal beaches.

7. FAMOUS PLACES IN AUSTRALIA Great Barrier Reef Sydney Harbor Bridge Tasmania Kimberley in Western Australia

8. FAMOUS PLACES IN AUSTRALIA Snowy Mountains, valley of Barossa Melbourne City Shops Whitsunday’s islands in Queensland Uluru (or Ayers Rock)