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| Australia is an independent Western democracy with a population of more than 20 million. It is one of the world’s most urbanised countries, with about 70 per cent of the population living in the 10 largest cities. Most of the population is concentrated along the eastern seaboard and the south-eastern corner of the continent. |
In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population.
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Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth. It lies between 10° and 39° South latitude.
The highest point on the mainland, Mount Kosciuszko, is only 2228 metres. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent.
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about three-quarters of the land is arid or semi-arid. Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, and these are used very effectively to help feed the world. Sheep and cattle graze in dry country, but care must be taken with the soil. Some grazing land became desert when the long cycles that influence rainfall in Australia turned to drought.
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The Australian federation consists of six States and two Territories. Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.
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Australia has had one of the most outstanding economies of the world in recent years. As a high-growth, low-inflation, low interest rate economy, it is more vibrant than ever before. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector.
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With its abundant physical resources, Australia has enjoyed a high standard of living since the nineteenth century. It has made a comparatively large investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport. |
The Australian workforce has seen many improvements over the last decade, leading to the surge in productivity in the 1990s. The complex and centralised award based industrial relations system has given way to a more decentralised one with many employees working under workplace agreements tailored to meet enterprise needs.
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Australia’s national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, is a revised version of a late 19th-century patriotic song. It was declared the national anthem in April 1984, replacing God Save the Queen, which was designated the royal anthem. In the same year, Australia officially adopted green and gold as its national colours. |
| Australia’s official language is English, by common usage rather than law. Australian English does not differ significantly from other forms of English, although some colloquial and slang expressions are unique. |
| Tourist Places In Australia |
| Harbour Bridge |
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia. The bridge is locally nicknamed The Coathanger[1] because of its arch-based design, although this usage is less prevalent than it once was.The bridge was designed and built by Dorman Long and Co Ltd, Middlesbrough, Teesside and was the city's tallest structure until 1967.[citation needed] According to Guinness World Records, it is the world's widest long-span bridge[2] and its tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 metres (429.6 ft) from top to water level.[citation needed] It is also the fourth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world
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| Skywalk |
Sydney Skywalk is Sydney’s newest and highest outdoor viewing adventure. Experience open air 360-degree views of Sydney from the roof of Sydney Tower, a breathtaking 260 metres above Sydney streets, at a height double that of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Harnessed onto the moving, glass-floored viewing platform that extends out over the edge of Sydney Tower, view glittering Sydney beneath your feet from a whole new perspective. Dare to step out over the edge and face Sydney like never before: feel the high-altitude breeze, touch the clouds or simply hang out on the horizon!
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| Sydney Wildlife World |
Opening in late 2006, Sydney Wildlife World will showcase Australia’s unique and bizarre flora and fauna, right in the heart of Darling Harbour.
Take a walk on the wild side and jump into Wallaby cliffs with the Yellow-footed rock wallabies, and meet one of Australia’s cutest national icons, the koala.
Marvel at Australia’s bizarre creepy crawlies or see the scales and tails of our unique reptiles. Adjust your eyes and find out what the possums and quolls get up to after dark in the Nocturnal house, or look out into the red heart of Australia and see how our mammals have adapted to survive in this country’s harsh climate.
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| Oceanworld Manly |
The Oceanarium has interactive guided tours and daily live shows that allow you to come face to face with deadly snakes, spiders and crocodiles. Touch some of the less deadly ones in daily shows, and get a souvenir photo taken with a python. Ask our experts everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sharks in Scuba Speak, an interactive tour of the Oceanarium that lets you talk to a diver whilst they’re underwater. Watch the sharks & a vast array of marine life being hand fed.
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| Shark Dive Xtreme |
Scuba Diving doesn't get more extreme than this, as you get up close and personal with huge sharks! Dive with massive grey nurse sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles, wobbegong sharks, moray eels and a vast array of marine life.
Whether you have never been scuba diving or are a keen diver, Shark Dive Xtreme has the experience for you. And it is an extreme experience…30 minutes of adrenalin pumping diving with sharks up close and personal, this is the real meaning of tourist attraction!!
There are programs suitable for first time divers, qualified divers who have had logged less than 15 dives or haven't dived in the last 6 months and qualified divers. Shark Dive Xtreme includes all equipment, instruction from our experts, and a certificate of your achievement.
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| Sydney Tower |
This landmark Sydney attraction is the perfect place to start your Sydney visit or holiday, as our experienced guides on Observation Deck will give you a complete orientation of the city with information on many points of interest. So you should make Sydney Tower your first stop, and from the glittering harbour and golden beaches to the distant Blue Mountains, you’ll be amazed by Sydney’s best views!
Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking, 360-degree views of our beautiful harbour city, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Soaring 250m above the city streets, the Observation Deck of Sydney Tower is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a panoramic viewing experience unmatched by any other Sydney attraction.
It is double the height of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
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| Opera House |
The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 28, 2007.[1] Based on the competition winning entry by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most distinctive 20th century buildings, and one of the most famous performing arts venues in the world. It was among the 20 selected finalists in the 2007 New Seven Wonders of the World project.
Louis Kahn remarked: "The sun did not know how beautiful its light was until it was reflected off this building".
The Sydney Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The building and its surroundings are one of the best known icons of Australia. |
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