ICSLP 98
Information about Australia
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Click on a state for more information
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Some Facts About
Australia
- Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, with the Pacific Ocean on the
East Coast and the Indian Ocean on the West.
- It is a large island continent covering more than 7.5 sq. miles or 19.2 sq km. It
occupies an area equivalent to the mainland of the USA (without Alaska & Hawaii) or
the equivalent of 24 times the UK.
- The Australian land mass is relatively stable as it sits in the middle of the Indian-Australian
Plate and thereby avoided exciting adventures such as colliding with other
continental crusts and building mountains.
- The highest mountain is Mt Koszcuisko, which has only recently
re-acquired the 'z' in its spelling. Koszcuisko is 2,280 metres high and lies in the heart
of Australia's ski fields.
- The Great Divide is a line of ranges running almost the full length of
the east coast, separating the older inland landforms from the coastal areas. This range
of mountains acts as a watershead sending most of the rainfall onto the coast.
- The lowest point in Australia is Lake Eyre, usually an empty salt lake
but when sufficient rains fall, it has been know to have waves rolling onto the shoreline!
- The name 'Australia' is a portion of an earlier longer name "Terra
Australis de la Spiritus Sanctus". The explore Mathew Flinders has been
credited with the present name.
- In 1996 the population was estimated to be 18 million. Most people live around the
coastal areas.
- Australia has 6 States and 2 Territories, and several external Territories namely,
Norfolk, Lord Howe, Cocos, Christmas, and Macquarie Islands, and the Australian Antarctic
Territories.
Sport in Australia
Australia is a nation with a high participation rate in sport, and a high per capita
success rate in international sporting meets, such as the Olympics. Indeed, Sydney,
Australia's largest city, is the host for The
Olympics in the year 2000.
Two of the most popular sports in Australia are Cricket, and Australian
Rules Football.
Summer Sports
Cricket
is played in summer, and the Australian cricket team is one of the most successful
in the world.
Winter Sports
In winter, the various football codes take the stage. We play Australian Rules, Rugby,
Union, Rugby League and Soccer;
- Australian Rules is a game
which is not dissimilar to Irish Football. Australian Rules is the code which is followed
and played in most states, and is also taking hold in New South Wales and Queensland, the
states which traditionally follow rugby league. The
Sydney Swans are the AFL team in Sydney, capital of New South Wales.
- Rugby union is also played in Australia, and
the Australian Rugby team were world champions in 1991.
Other sports which are popular in Australia are netball, golf, tennis and basketball.
Australia has had successful teams and players in all of these sports.
Some Famous People in Australian Sport
Tennis
- Evonne Goolagong
- Pat Rafter
- Pat Cash
- Lew Hoad
- Rod Laver
- Ken Rosewell
Swimming
- Kieran Perkins
- Samantha Riley
Cricket
- Don Bradman
- Alan Border
- Shane Warne
- Mark Waugh
- Steve Waugh
- Chappell brothers
- Dennis Lillee
Golf
Horse Racing