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AUSTRALIA - AT A GLANCE
THE PLACE
Area:
- Smallest continent or world's largest island depending if you're a pessimist or optimist. Believed to be the oldest corner of the planet.
- 4000 km (2,500 miles) east to west, and 3200km(2,000 miles) north to south. Coastline measures 36,738 km (22,826 miles) or a.k.a "One bloody long drive, mate ! ".
- Comparable to the size of the USA (excluding Alaska) at 7,600,300 sq. km (2,965,150 sq. miles)
- The Great Dividing Range, stretching almost the whole length on the east side of Australian continent, separates a narrow fertile strip on the coast from the harsh Outback. West of the range the country becomes increasingly flat and dry. Habitation eventually ceases, and - after thousands of miles - the horizon is broken only by occasional mysterious protuberances like Ayers Rock and the Olgas, and starkly beautiful mountains like the Flinders and the Macdonnell ranges.
Capital city: Canberra (a.k.a where they keep the politicians)
Highest mountain: Mount Kosciusko (2,230 metres or 7300 ft.)
Population: 17.9 million people. Approximately 227,000 people are native aborigines.
Religion: Anglican (26 %); Roman Catholic (26 %), Uniting Church in Australia (8 %); Aboriginal and Jewish minorities.
Unofficial National Religion(s): Aussie Rules Football in winter, and Cricket in summer.
Time zones:
- "Sydney and Melbourne is about 10 hours ahead of England, 18 hours ahead of Los Angeles, mate". Has three time zones: Western Standard Time-WST (e.g. Perth), Central Standard Time-CST (e.g. Adelaide, Alice Spring and Darwin) and Eastern Standard Time -EST (e.g. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane). WST is 2 hours behind EST. CST is 30 minutes behind EST.
- During summer, things get complicated! Most states introduce Daylight Saving Time, moving the clock forward by 1 hour.... with New South Wales & Canberra running daylight saving from November-February; whilst South Australia and Victoria goes from November-March; and Tasmania from October-March. Queensland, ever the rebel, doesn't bother with Daylight Saving at all. "Got it, now mate?"
Currency: Australian dollar ($AUD) and cents. The coins come in 5, 10 and 50-cent silver pieces; and 1 and 2 dollar gold coins. Notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Weight and measures: metric (i.e. kilograms and not pounds, and kilometres and not miles, o.k ?)
Electricity: 240 volts, 50 Hertz, three pin plug (beware - Australian standard !)
International telephone dialling code: 61
Clothing: Generally, Australians are informal dressers, especially when the weather is warm. Comfort comes before tradition. However, for special occasions (e.g weddings) or dining in fine restaurants, formal attire or neat casual is required. Other than that, it's free for all, mate.
THE CLIMATE
A. TROPICAL ZONE (NORTH AUSTRALIA)
About 40% of Australia lies in the tropical zone north of the Tropic of Capricorn. In the top end around Darwin and near Cairns, there are only two seasons: the Dry (April - November) and the Wet (December - March). In the Great Barrier Reef, most rain falls in January and February.
B. SOUTHERN TEMPERATE ZONE
Remember that Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so all the four seasons are in reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. (i.e. Christmas is spanking HOT is Australia).
"The Southern Hemisphere Seasons Survivors Guide"
- September to November is spring.
- December to February is summer.
- March to May is autumn.
- June to August is winter.
Winter temperatures in e.g. Sydney are usually a maximum of 12 � C (50� F) i.e. chilly enough to require woollen clothing (or "woolies").
Snowfalls. Falls on the southern mountain ranges, but not in the cities (except for Hobart, Tasmania).
Summer temperatures will regularly hit 30 � C (90� F) and higher.
Best times to visit:
- Melbourne: is pleasant in spring, summer and autumn. Winter can be grey and miserable (July - August).
- Tasmania: is the coldest place, summers are by far the best time to visit. Winters can be damp and depressing.
- Central Australia (eg. Ayers Rock/Uluru: In winter, the nights may be cool but the days are clear, crisp and warm. Summer temperatures are generally too high for comfort.
THE GOVERNMENT
Since 1901, the six former British colonies of Australia have been governed as an independent federal commonwealth with a British-style parliamentary system.
Australia is a member of the British Commonwealth group of nations, like India and Malaysia (a.k.a. nations which were once ruled by England).
There is a three-tiered system of government: federal, state and local.
The Prime Minister heads the Federal Government and is the leader of the party holding the greatest number of seats in the lower house (known as the House of Representatives). The upper house is the Senate.
A Premier leads each state government.
Voting in Australia is compulsory and employs a preferential voting system.
The capital city of Australia is Canberra.
There are two main political groups, the more progressive Australian Labor Party and a conservative coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party.
The Head of State is the Governor-General, nominated by the federal government and appointed by the Queen (of England). Governors in each of the states, along with the Governor-General, represents the British-Crown in Australia. There is a vigorous debate on whether Australia should become a republic, totally independent of England.
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