Why do tourists choose Australia? Australia What natural resources are used by the population of Australia.

Since ancient times, people have sought to Australia in search of gold and for the sake of fat pastures, where they raised a huge number of livestock. Modern research has shown that the continent has a huge amount of reserves of various types of minerals.

Australia now ranks first in the world in iron ore, bauxite, lead and zinc mining, second in uranium mining (after Canada), and sixth in coal mining.

Features of the relief of Australia

In ancient times, Australia was an integral part of Gondwana - one of the two largest continents. Australia broke away around the end of the Mesozoic era, and now most of the mainland rests on an ancient platform. Therefore, the relief of Australia is dominated by plains, where the richest deposits of sedimentary rocks are located. About 95% of the country's territory does not rise above 600 m above sea level.

A narrow strip of plateau stretches along the western coast. These are the Western Australian Plateau (average heights - 200 m) and the McDonnell Range (with the highest peak, Mt. Zil - 1511 m). There are deposits of oil, gas, iron ores, bauxite, titanium, gold.

The center of the mainland is dominated by lowlands. The lowest point in Australia is recorded in the Eyre Lakes region - minus 16 m from sea level. Copper, manganese, and opals are mined in this area.

In the east of the mainland is the Great Dividing Range - these are high mountains with steep slopes, mostly of volcanic origin, composed of limestone, granite and volcanic rocks. This mountain system stores considerable reserves of hard and brown coal, rich deposits of oil and gas, tin, gold, and copper. Here is the highest peak of the continent - Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m). On the slopes of the Great Dividing Range originate the largest Australian rivers - Murray and Darling.

Types of minerals

Iron ore- a mineral formation containing a large amount of iron. In terms of iron ore mining, Australia, together with Brazil and China, provides 2/3 of the world's production. The largest deposits were discovered in the northwest of the mainland - these are the Mount Newman and Mount Goldsworth basins. Ore is also mined in South Australia (the largest deposit is Iron Knob). The Australian company BHP Billiton is one of the three largest concerns in the world for the production of iron ore raw materials. Only this concern gives the world about 188 million tons of ore. Australia is also the world's largest exporter of ore. More than 30% of world exports per year are accounted for by this country.

bauxites- a complex rock from which aluminum is mined. In terms of bauxite deposits, Australia ranks second in the world, second only to Guinea. On the southern continent, according to experts, more than 7 billion tons of the most valuable ore are stored, which is almost 26% of the world's reserves. In Australia, bauxites are found in mountainous regions. The largest deposits: Weipa (Cape York), Gove (Arnhem Land), Jarradale (on the slopes of the Darling Range).

Polymetals- a complex ore containing a whole range of chemical elements, of which zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold are considered the most important. Large deposits of polymetallic ores have been discovered in New South Wales (the Brocken Hill deposit), Queensland (the Mount Aise deposit) and northern Australia (the Tennant Creek deposit).

Gold- a valuable metal that has found application not only in jewelry, but also in electronics, the nuclear industry, and medicine. Australia is the 4th largest gold miner in the world. More than 225 tons are mined here annually. The main gold deposits are concentrated in the southwest of the mainland - in the state of Western Australia. The largest mines are located near the cities of Kalgoorlie, Wilun and in Queensland.

Coal- the most important type of fuel of organic origin. According to experts, almost 9% of the world's coal reserves are concentrated in Australia - more than 76.4 billion tons. The main coal basins are located in the east of Australia. The largest deposits are in the states of New South Wales and Queensland.

Oil and natural gas- valuable fuel resources, of which there are not so many in Australia (compared to other countries, and even more so, continents). The main deposits of oil and gas are found on the shelf near the coast. The largest oil fields are Mooney, Alton, Bennet (Queensland), Kingfish (Victoria) and Barrow Island. The largest gas field is Ranken.

Chromium- metal used in heavy industry. Rich deposits of chromium have been discovered in Australia. Large deposits: Gingin, Dongarra (Western Australia), Marlin (Victoria).

By production diamonds and opals Australia ranks first in the world. The largest diamond deposit is located in the area of ​​Lake Argyle. And most of the opals (2/3) are found in South Australia. There is also an unusual underground city of Coober Pedy, which is often called the world capital of opals. Most of the dwellings in the city are located in underground mines.

Resources and deposits

Mineral resources. Australia is one of the five largest suppliers of minerals in the world. The mining industry provides a third of the country's total industrial output. Australia's minerals are exported to more than 100 countries around the world.

Water and forest resources Australia are small. In terms of water supply, this is the poorest continent on earth. There are few rivers, and 90% of the rivers dry up during the dry season. Only the Murray and its tributary the Murrumbidgee maintain a constant current throughout the year. The main forest areas are located in the east and west of the continent. Eucalyptus thickets are especially valued.

Land resources Australia is vast, but almost 44% of the mainland is occupied by deserts. However, semi-deserts and steppes are used for extensive pastures. Sheep breeding is very developed, which is often called the "business card" of the Australian economy. The country occupies a leading position in the world in the production of meat and butter.

Fertile soils are located in the steppe regions. They grow mainly wheat. They also harvest rich crops of sugar cane, tobacco, and cotton. In recent years, winemaking and viticulture have been gaining more and more development.

Australia is an amazing country! Who among us would not like to see the legendary Opera House or the Great Barrier Reef with our own eyes? Unfortunately, the prices for vacations are shocking no less. Why is a trip to Australia so expensive, is it possible to visit it without exhausting the family budget, and are there cheap tours to Australia? Let's figure it out.

About 4 million tourists from all over the world visit Australia annually, of which 15-20 thousand people are from Russia

When an ordinary Russian hears a price of 150 rubles for one and a half liters of ordinary bottled water, this is surprising. But do not forget that this is a country with a high standard of living and the salary of an ordinary employee there is incommensurable with Russian salaries, so the prices are appropriate.

The local currency is Australian dollars, 1 AUD currently costs a little more than 50 rubles, over the past year it has grown by 10%, respectively, and the budget of a Russian tourist for "pocket expenses" has increased proportionally.

The main currency is the Australian dollar, in rubles it costs a little less than the US dollar

Australia is located on the other hemisphere, the flight there takes about 20 hours. This means that a plane ticket will be a considerable expense item. In addition, you are unlikely to want to limit your travel to staying in one city. Tourists move between cities using planes of local airlines, this is another “minus” from the travel budget. Obtaining an Australian visa will also cost a lot.

Let's get down to specifics and look at what costs await you, how much do tours to the "kangaroo capital" cost and how to make a trip there cheaper?

Traveling to Australia: on your own or through a travel agency?

Since this country is a very popular destination, the travel agency will definitely offer you several travel options, including quite cheap tours to Australia. Oddly enough, it is often cheaper to use the services of a travel agency than to travel on your own. This happens because of charter flights and agreements between operators and hotels that are ready to provide a partner discount to a travel agency.

Traveling through an agency is convenient because it is prepared on a turnkey basis and it is possible to additionally receive many convenient options, such as airport transfers. For registration, you only need to provide the necessary documents, choose the tour you like and voila - you are a traveler!

Another plus of traveling through a travel agency is that you don’t have to worry if you don’t know the local language and you don’t have to spend time on independently compiling your trip program. It has already been drawn up, travel and sightseeing planned in advance. Your task is to board the bus at the appointed time and go on an organized tour, it is very convenient.

Australia has many famous attractions that are a must-see for anyone who travels there. For example, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Kakadu National Park, Port Arthur and Swan Bells.

On the other hand, when organizing through an intermediary, you will be somewhat limited by the tour program. Therefore, if you prefer to spontaneously make decisions about the travel program, you will have to weigh the pros and cons on your own and decide how convenient it is for you to go to Australia: through an agency or still on your own.

How to save money on a tour to Australia?

If you can call yourself a traveler at least with a stretch, then you know at least two ways to save money on a tour. Recall: you need to contact the company to arrange a trip either much in advance, or vice versa - when the flight is already on the nose. Buying a ticket 7-12 months in advance, you can save up to 30% of the cost, the same story with last minute tickets. Therefore, if possible, take care of your rest in advance or sit on your suitcases in readiness to break loose.

Another way to get a cheap tour is to constantly monitor discounts and promotions, they are often very attractive, but do not last long.

How to make a trip to Australia cheaper?

The journey for you will definitely begin long before departure, with the issuance of a visa. Can you save money on this?

Do-it-yourself visa application

This is not to say that obtaining a visa to Australia is a simple and unpretentious procedure. You will need a lot of documents. It is worth paying attention to the fact that all submitted copies of documents must be notarized and translated into English by an accredited translator.

In addition, you must pay a consular fee of 130 AUD, which is about 7,000 rubles. Please note that in case of visa refusal, the fee is non-refundable. When submitting documents, you will need to attach medical insurance (about 1000 rubles).

In order to obtain an Australian visa, you will need to collect a decent package of documents, certify their copies, translate and send to the visa center

Thus, when planning the budget, it is necessary to take into account the cost of the services of a translator and a notary, the payment of a consular fee, and insurance. In total, about 11,000 rubles will need to be spent on self-issuing a visa for one person.

Visa through intermediaries

If you decide to contact a specialized company for registration, be aware that their services will cost at least 5,000 rubles. In this case, if of course the firm is conscientious and experienced, you can be sure that the consular fee will not be lost due to a minor mistake in filling out the documents. Also, you do not have to delve into the intricacies of the procedure and study the Internet in search of detailed instructions for filling out all the necessary forms.

So what is the best way to apply for a visa?

By and large, if you set a goal to travel to Australia as much as possible on a budget and are ready to sacrifice a few hours of your personal time to delve into the topic, feel free to choose the option with self-acquisition. It is not so difficult to submit documents, especially considering that from October 1, 2015 this can be done remotely.

How else to save money on a tour to Australia?

Do not forget that the continent you are going to is located on the other hemisphere, so summer there falls on our calendar winter months. This means that getting out of our frosts to the sunny continent will cost a substantial amount, because the Australian summer is the peak of the tourist season. A worthy alternative would be spring or autumn, it is in the off-season that you can grab a really cheap ticket.

There are many Tourist Information points scattered throughout the country, where you, as a tourist, will be given background information and help if you have any problems. You should also take a special free catalog there, it has a map of the city plus a lot of coupons for discounts in popular tourist places. According to the coupon from this catalog, in some places they give a discount of up to 50%, you will agree - a lot when it comes to economical travel.

Do not forget that savings are subject not only to money, but also to time and nerves. Before traveling, check the validity of your passport in advance, because if it suddenly turns out to be expired, and you find out about it a couple of days before departure, you are guaranteed losses, at best, for an urgent issuance of a new passport. For more information on what to do if your passport expires, read

Another small but nice feature: if the cost of souvenirs that you purchased while on a trip is more than 300 AUD, a tax refund of 12% of the cost of goods is provided. To receive this compensation, before flying out of Australia, find a TRS office, present your purchase receipts, boarding pass and passport there.

Briefly about tourism in Australia can be found in the plot of the program "Recreation and Tourism" of the RBC TV channel.

Summarizing

Despite the fact that Australia has a reputation for being an expensive country, it is quite possible to go there on an average budget if you know where to save money. You can go there as part of a tourist group or as a savage, live in a hotel or put up a tent at a campsite, travel in a rented car or on foot - there are a lot of options and each has its pros and cons. Choose based on what you want to get: a comfortable inspection of popular tourist places or a complete immersion in the local flavor. This country is worth visiting!

We wish good luck to all travelers, Australia is waiting for you!

origin of name

Even ancient geographers were convinced of the existence of a hypothetical land in the Southern Hemisphere, which was indicated on the maps of those times - Terra Australis Incognita - "unknown southern land". This name was first mapped in the 2nd century by Ptolemy of Alexandria, who suggested that Africa in the south passes into the still undiscovered mainland.

The Dutch sailors, who were the first to sail to this land, gave it the name "New Holland". In 1814, the English navigator Matthew Flinders was the first European to circumnavigate the continent and proposed calling it Terra Australis, "as more pleasing to the ear." But his proposal was not immediately accepted, and only in 1817, the Governor of South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, began to use the name "Australia" in official documents and invited the British Empire's Colonial Office to accept, which was done in 1824.

Big cities

Flora and fauna

The even warm climate, the variety of natural conditions in different parts of the continent and the long isolation of the mainland contributed to the fact that the evolutionary processes of Australia did not proceed as rapidly as on other continents. Thanks to this, amazing plants and animals that have long been extinct on other continents have survived to this day. Of the 12 thousand species of vegetation, more than 9 thousand are endemic, not found anywhere else in the world. Due to the fact that the climate of the continent is mostly arid, the plants here are dry-loving, among them the most famous are eucalyptus and bottle tree. The tropical forests of the north are rich in umbrella acacias, huge eucalyptus trees (up to a hundred meters in height!), Bamboo, various types of ficuses and palm trees. Eastern subtropical evergreen forests amaze with huge twenty-meter ferns and tree-like horsetails.

Unique animals live in the expanses of Australia, they not only do not exist anywhere else on the planet, they simply cannot survive anywhere else, as they feed on plants that grow only here. Almost 90% of the fauna of the continent are endemic. Of the 235 species of mammals, half are marsupials. On the mainland, "living fossils" - the platypus and the echidna - have survived to this day. Australia is the only continent where there are no ungulates or monkeys. There are two surviving predators here - the Tasmanian devil, a carnivorous marsupial, and the dingo dog. One of the symbols of Australia, the Tasmanian devil, used to live throughout the mainland, but man and dingoes pushed him to Tasmania.

The bird world of Australia is extremely rich, numbering 720 species of birds, of which almost half are endemic. Emu ostriches, cockatoos, cassowaries, black swans, honey birds, birds of paradise, lyrebirds are recognized symbols of the continent.

There are no predators here, but there are many other dangerous representatives of the animal world - there are 65 species of poisonous snakes in Australia. If you see a sign prohibiting swimming, do not neglect the warning - deadly jellyfish and sharks can be found in coastal waters. Blue-ringed octopuses are among the most poisonous animals on the planet.

The appearance of man did not have the best effect on the flora and fauna, many of their unique representatives were irretrievably destroyed. But now, through the efforts of the government, the situation is changing dramatically - compliance with laws on environmental protection is strictly controlled. Many nature protection parks and reserves have been created. It was possible to restore some species of animals and plants that were on the verge of extinction. National parks have given impetus to the development of tourism. In many protected areas, interesting tourist routes have been created that allow you to touch the past of the planet and observe firsthand the life of Australia's wildlife.

Geographic features

Australia ranks last among the continents in terms of area, which is 7.7 million square kilometers. Australia has no borders with any state. The shores of the continent are washed by the seas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Australia is the only continent without glaciers and volcanoes. Most of the country's territory is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, there are fertile lands in the east and southwest, and in the north there are woodlands, savannahs and jungles of the Arnhemland peninsula.

The most fertile regions of the country are coastal ones. Thanks to the moist sea winds that carry precipitation, they get enough water for vegetation, there are alpine meadows and tropical jungles.

Along the northeast coast, the Great Barrier Reef, a unique landmark of Australia, stretches for 2000 kilometers. Many islands of the reef have become luxury resorts.

There are mountains on the mainland, but they are few, only 5% of the entire territory, and their smaller half are above 1000 meters. In the mountain range of the Great Dividing Range, rising on the east coast, there is the highest point of the continent - Cape Kosciuszko with a height of 2228 meters.

The main rivers of Australia flow through the southeast of the country. There are only two large rivers - the Murray, 2.5 thousand kilometers long, and the Darling, whose length is no more than 2000 kilometers. The Murray is a more full-flowing river that maintains a constant flow, while the Darling dries up during the hot season. The island of Tasmania boasts an abundance of full-flowing and fast rivers.

The south of Australia is replete with salt lakes that do not have a runoff and are filled only during the rainy season. The largest lake is Eyre with an area of ​​9.5 thousand square kilometers. Air is 16 meters below sea level and is the lowest point on the mainland.

Story

The ancestors of the natives, immigrants from the island of New Guinea, began to populate the mainland many millennia ago. The idyllic existence of the natives was first disturbed in the 17th century by Dutch explorers. Europeans landed in the north of the continent and discovered a nearby large island, which they named Tasmania after the Dutch traveler Abel Tasman.

Almost a hundred years later, in 1770, James Cook arrived here. He explored the eastern lands of the mainland, named them New South Wales and proclaimed them the property of Britain. A decade later, Europeans began to actively settle in new lands.

The first inhabitants of the continent were criminals. In those days, England evicted its convicts to North America, but this measure of punishment had to be stopped with the outbreak of the War of Independence in the United States.

The English government decided to use the discovered new lands very conveniently and developed a plan to send convicts to New South Wales. In January 1788, the first flotilla reached the distant mainland. There were 1373 people on board 11 ships, 700 of them were criminals. The newcomers soon established a settlement that later became the city of Sydney. And now on January 26, the inhabitants of the Green Continent celebrate Australia Day.

Over the next 80 years, another 160,000 criminals were sent to Australia. And in the second half of the 19th century, gold was found on the continent, a gold rush began, and more than 40 thousand Chinese emigrants came here in search of happiness.

After the Second World War, the country received thousands of migrants from 200 countries, which made Australia one of the most multinational countries in the world.

State device. Population

Australia is a federal parliamentary state. Formally, the head of state is the English Queen Elizabeth II, but the executive power is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister.

The federation consists of 6 states:

• New South Wales, the center of cultural, entertainment and sporting events.
• Western Australia, which occupies almost a third of the mainland and consists almost entirely of deserts. Three-quarters of the country's gold is mined here and one-fifth of the world's aluminum is produced. The state has the highest median income but also the largest population shortage due to the hot climate. The size of the state is comparable to Western Europe.
• Queensland, named after Queen Victoria, is famous for its banana plantations and the Great Barrier Reef.
• Victoria is the smallest skiing state in the world. The history and development of the state is closely connected with the gold rush.
• South Australia is known for its wine and the fact that this state has never accepted prisoners.
• Tasmania, nearly half of the state is occupied by protected World Heritage Sites.

In addition to the states, the Commonwealth of Australia includes two mainland territories - the Northern and the Capital. Also a few smaller areas. Half of the land in the Northern Territory is owned by Aboriginal people, it is the most sparsely populated and least urbanized area of ​​the country. The capital territory at one time separated from South Wales, here in 1927 Canberra, the capital of Australia, was built.

Australia is a country with a highly developed economy, the largest exporter of beef and wool, and also exports a large amount of wheat, mutton, and minerals. Accordingly, the standard of living of the population is consistently high.

In terms of population, the country ranks 50th in the world. About 24 million people live in Australia, of which 230 thousand are indigenous people. Aborigines received their legal rights only in the 60s of the last century and they live mainly in the reserves and national parks of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

According to the Australian constitution, none of the religions is approved by law and does not receive financial support from the state. Australians are free to practice any religion and also be free from any creed.

The population density is different. If up to 80% of the population is concentrated in cities, then in other areas the density may be less than one person per square kilometer. This is explained by the fact that more than half of the country's territory is unsuitable for human habitation due to the extremely hot climate.

Australians are friendly and open people, in their temperament the features of puritanical Great Britain are mixed with the cheerful nature of immigrants from America. Locals prefer free style in casual clothes, they are friendly and smiling with foreigners.

Holidays

• January 1 - New Year.
• January 26 - Australia Day.
• Easter Monday.
• April 25 - Anzac Day (Day of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps).
• May 1 - Labor Day.
• July 14 is the Queen's birthday.
• December 25 - Christmas.
• December 27 - Boxing Day.

Useful information

The national currency is the Australian dollar. Along with paper money, the world's first plastic money is in use here. It is more profitable to exchange currencies in banks, it is important to remember that they do not work on weekends.

From the Green Continent, tourists bring crocodile skin products, the famous Australian ugg boots, original crafts of the natives - boomerangs, spears, ritual masks. You can buy cheap opals here. A variety of eucalyptus souvenirs are very popular with travelers. Many people buy clothes from the unique merino wool. If you buy more than $300 worth of items, you will receive a 9.1% refund on the amount spent, you just need to keep the receipt.

You cannot import food, weapons, certain medicines, products of animal and vegetable origin, wood products, and even soil on the soles. Duty-free you can import goods worth no more than $ 900, 50 cigarettes and 1 liter of alcohol. At the airport of arrival, you and your luggage will be disinfected with a special disinfectant.

Remember - in Australia, spitting in the streets, smoking in public places and driving under the influence of alcohol are punishable by a large fine.

Traffic in Australia is left-handed, so tourists need to be extremely careful. Due to the long distances, the most popular transport in the country is airplanes.

Bus transportation is also in demand in the country.

Railway transport is almost not developed due to the difficulties of laying the railway.

A car can be rented if you have an international driving license, have been driving for more than 1 year and are over 21 years old and under 75 years old. A deposit will be required.

If you go deep into the continent, stock up on food, water, fuel and be sure to take a satellite phone with you, because mobile communications are far from working everywhere.

Be extremely careful in nature - there are many poisonous snakes and insects around, brush up on the rules of first aid for bites of poisonous animals.

The mains voltage is 240/250 Volts, adapters are needed for Asian and European appliances.

Australia has 3 time zones. Time in Canberra is 7 hours ahead of Moscow.

A quarter of its inhabitants were born outside of Australia.

Australia is the most law-abiding country in the world, although the ancestors of many of its citizens are deported criminals.

Low price calendar for flights to Australia

It is the largest country in the world and occupies about 5% of the planet's land area or 7.69 million km². It is washed by the waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Australia has many natural resources, but the most economically important minerals are those that are exported to other countries of the world and bring significant economic benefits.

Water resources

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with one of the highest levels of water consumption in the world. mainly surface water in the form of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, dams and rainwater reservoirs, as well as underground aquifers. As an island continent, Australia is completely dependent on precipitation (rain and snow) for its water supply. Artificial reservoirs are critical to maintaining the mainland's water supply.

Among the countries of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), Australia ranks fourth in terms of water consumption per capita. The total annual water flow is about 243 billion m³ and the total groundwater recharge is 49 billion m³, giving a total water inflow of 292 billion m³. Only 6% of Australia's water flow is in the Murray-Darling Basin, where water use is 50%. The total storage capacity of Australia's large dams is about 84 billion m³.

In Australia, it is common to use reclaimed water (treated wastewater that is not potable and intended for industrial reuse) for irrigating green spaces, golf courses, crops or industrial use.

forest resources

Australia is diverse and is one of the continent's most important natural resources.

Australia has a lot of forests despite being considered one of the driest continents. There are about 149.3 million hectares of natural forests on the mainland, which is about 19.3% of Australia's land area. Most of Australia's trees are deciduous, usually eucalyptus. Of these, 3.4% (5.07 million ha) are classified as primary forest, the most biologically diverse and carbon rich.

Australia's natural forests are found in a wide range of geographic landscapes and climates, and contain a wide range of predominantly endemic species (i.e. species found nowhere else) that form unique and complex forests. Forests represent a range of woody and non-woody products that Australians use in their daily lives. They also provide clean water, protect soils, provide opportunities for recreation, tourism, and scientific and educational activities, and support cultural, historical, and aesthetic values.

The continent's timber industry has benefited from the development of tree plantations, which produce 14 times more wood per hectare than natural forests. Currently, plantations provide more than two-thirds of Australia's timber. These areas are dominated by fast growing tree species such as eucalyptus and radiata pine. The main types of forest products are sawn timber, wood-based panels, paper and wood chips.

Mineral resources

Australia is one of the world's largest producers of minerals. The most important continent are bauxite, gold and iron ore. Other mainland minerals include copper, lead, zinc, diamonds and mineral sands. Most mineral resources are mined in Western Australia and Queensland. Many minerals mined in Australia are exported overseas.

Australia has extensive coal deposits. It is mainly found in the eastern part of the country. 2/3 of Australian coal is exported mainly to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Western Europe. The rest of the coal mined in Australia is burned to generate electricity.

Natural gas is also common in the country. Its reserves are mainly found in Western and Central Australia. Because most of these deposits are far from urban centers, natural gas pipelines have been built to transport natural gas to cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Part of the natural gas is exported. For example, natural gas produced in Western Australia is exported directly to Japan in liquid form.

Australia also contains a third of the world's uranium reserves. Uranium is used to produce nuclear energy. However, nuclear power and uranium mining are highly controversial as people are concerned about the detrimental environmental impact due to its radioactive properties.

Land resources

Land use has a significant impact on Australia's natural resources through impacts on water, soil, nutrients, plants and animals. There is also a strong link between changing land use patterns and economic and social conditions, especially in regional Australia. Land use information shows how , including the production of products (such as crops,
timber, etc.) and measures to protect land, protect biodiversity, and natural resources.

The total area of ​​agricultural land is 53.4%, of which: arable land - 6.2%, permanent crops - 0.1%, permanent pastures - 47.1%.

About 7% of Australia's land resources are reserved for nature protection. Other protected areas, including native lands, cover more than 13% of the country.

Forestry tends to be limited to higher rainfall regions of Australia and covers nearly 19.3% of the continent. The lands of settlements (mostly urban) occupy about 0.2% of the country's area. Other types of land use account for 7.1%.

biological resources

animal husbandry

Animal husbandry is one of the leading branches of agriculture in Australia. In terms of the number of sheep, the country ranks first in the world, and in some years it provides more than 1/4 of the world's wool production. On the territory of the country, cattle are also raised, and by-products include meat, milk, butter, cheese, etc. exported to other countries and generates a total income of more than 700 million US dollars per year, while Indonesia is the largest consumer of meat.

crop production

Australia is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of crops. Wheat is the most important cultivated crop, with a sown area of ​​more than 11 million hectares. Other Australian crops include barley, corn, sorghum, triticale, peanuts, sunflowers, safflower, rapeseed, canola, soybeans, and more.

Sugarcane, bananas, pineapples (mainly Queensland), citrus fruits (South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales) and others are also grown on the territory of the country.

Flora and fauna

The flora and fauna of Australia are the plants and animals that live on its territory. The fauna and flora of Australia is unique and differs significantly from the wildlife of other continents.

About 80% of Australian plant species are found only on this continent. Native plants include: eucalyptus, casuarina, acacia, spinfex grass and flowering plants including banksia and anigozanthos etc.

Australia has many unique animals. Of native Australian animal species: 71% of mammals and birds, 88% of reptile species and 94% of amphibian species are endemic. About 10% of the biodiversity of our planet is located here.

Vast expanses of Australia are covered by deserts, but rich mineral resources and efficient agriculture have turned it into a prosperous country.

Square: 7,862,300 km2

Population: 19 485 000

Capital: Canberra (353,000 people)

Main religions: Catholicism, Protestantism (Anglican Church, United Church)

Main export items: meat and dairy products, grain, metal ores, coal, oil and oil products, heavy industry products

State. build: state headed by the Queen of Great Britain, member of the Commonwealth

Australia, in addition to the mainland, washed by the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, includes the large island of Tasmania, as well as many small islands scattered along its coastline 25,760 km long. Over the past 30 million years, Australia has not experienced any major tectonic movements. During this time, water and wind have turned its surface into a flat and uniform space. More than 93% of the country's territory is located at elevations below 600 m. The climate in Australia is predominantly dry, and about ¾ of its area is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. Stretching along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the Great Dividing Range separates the uninhabited territories of the west from the densely populated areas of the east coast. The most multilingual city in the country, Sydney, is located here. The separation of the Australian mainland from Pangea and the subsequent 65 million years of isolation from the rest of the world led to the fact that animals appeared in Australia that you will not find anywhere else on the planet - the platypus and wombat, not to mention koalas, kangaroos, emu and a huge the number of parrots. The fauna of Australia is so amazing that even for their coat of arms, the Australians chose images of emus and kangaroos. It is believed that people appeared in Australia about 40,000 years ago. Having settled most of the mainland, the natives led a nomadic lifestyle and created a unique culture. At present, the indigenous inhabitants of Australia make up only 2% of the population, the majority of which is represented by the descendants of Europeans who appeared here in the 18th century. The urban population is concentrated in large urban districts - Melbourne, Victoria, Brisbane, Queensland, Perth in Western Australia and Adelaide in South Australia, as well as in the capital city of Canberra.

EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Rich in natural resources, Eastern Australia is the most economically developed and urbanized region of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australia is made up of four states and two territories. Eastern Australia includes the states of Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Capital Territory with Canberra as its capital. Canberra became the seat of government in 1927, after the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 and its acquisition of dominion status. Canberra is the only major city located far from the coast. Despite the fact that Eastern Australia accounts for 30% of the entire coastline of the state, fish catches here are small and do not exceed 215 thousand tons per year. More than half of the income comes from seafood such as lobster, shrimp and oysters. Along the eastern coast stretches a strip of plains - the main agricultural region of the country. Dominating in the relief of the region is the Great Dividing Range - a steep mountain range that stretches almost along the entire Pacific coast from north to south from Queensland to Victoria. The average height of the ridge is about 1200 m, and its highest peaks are located in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, where the highest peak of the continent is located - Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m). Large coal deposits are also concentrated here, which allowed Australia to join the ranks of the world's largest exporters of this energy carrier. To the west of the Great Dividing Range, the relief gradually decreases, forming a vast flat surface, the main element of which is the Great Artesian Basin, a huge reservoir of groundwater widely used for irrigation. The largest river system in the region is the Murray-Darling system with a total length of 3750 km and a catchment area of ​​more than 1 million square meters. km. Eastern Australia became the first region of the mainland, mastered by Europeans.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

One of the wonders of nature - the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world - stretches for almost 2 thousand km along the coast of Queensland. This is the largest coral formation on the planet, represented by more than 350 species of polyps, includes over 3 thousand reefs and covers an area of ​​more than 350 thousand square meters. km. Coral reefs can exist in water that stays between 22-28°C throughout the year, providing habitat for the most diverse animal community known on Earth. More than 1,500 species of fish live within the Great Barrier Reef - a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. Humpback whales breed here, as well as six of the world's seven species of sea turtles. Dugongs, an endangered species of mammals, hide in shallow seaweeds off the islands of the reef. More than 200 species of birds find food in coral thickets. Every year up to 2 million tourists come here to admire the beauties of nature. But this threat lurks the existence of the reef. Fragile corals are easily destroyed by divers and pleasure boats. Go-byat corals are also polluting and raising the temperature of sea water. Another threat comes from sea stars that are rapidly eating coral.

INTRODUCED ANIMALS

Some animal species were brought to Australia by humans. However, some of the "settlers" had a detrimental effect on the environment. The introduced dingoes, and later foxes and rats, pushed back or exterminated the local representatives of the fauna. Cane toad and rabbit, having multiplied incredibly, have become the main pests of agriculture, destroying fragile natural ecosystems. Other imported animals, on the contrary, became the basis of Australia's agriculture. There are more than 110 million sheep and 29 million head of cattle in the country. In agricultural areas, over 90% of the used land is allocated for pastures. More than 1/3 of the total number of cattle is concentrated in Queensland, and in New South Wales there are up to 40 million sheep. Herds are kept on large farms, here called "stations", or sheep pastures with an area of ​​up to 12 thousand square meters. km. In order to cross the land of only one farm, you need a light aircraft. With such a base, Australia is the world's largest exporter of meat and dairy products, as well as a leader in the production of wool.

POPULATION OF AUSTRALIA

The exploration of Australia began in the 17th century. Dutchman Abel Janszon Tasman and Englishman William Dampier. In 1768, the English government organized an expedition to conduct geographical research in the Pacific Ocean. This expedition, led by Captain James Cook, reached the east coast of Australia in 1770. Cook called this land New South Wales and declared it the possession of the British crown. In 1788, English ships delivered the first convicts to Sydney Bay. The native population after the arrival of the English-chan was subjected to persecution and violence. In the 1850s the transportation of exiles was stopped and free residents of the British Isles began to arrive on the mainland. The discovery in 1851 of gold in the state of Victoria and the subsequent "gold rush" attracted thousands of seekers of fortune from Europe and Asia. After the Second World War, the government passed a series of laws encouraging resettlement in Australia, and a flood of 5.5 million immigrants poured into the country. More than half of the settlers came from Great Britain, but there were also many of them from Germany, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia (now does not exist, but in the 20th century it included Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro). Until 1973, only whites were allowed to enter the country, so there were no more than 6% of immigrants from Asian countries and their descendants in Australia. In 1974 the racist immigration policy was

was canceled and Southeast Asians came to the country. The population of the country is represented by 150 nationalities. About 68% of the inhabitants are Christians and more than 13% consider themselves atheists. The country speaks English, but with a special pronunciation and many local expressions and expressions. The standard of living of Australians is generally high, but the income gap between the rich and the poor remains very large. While maintaining its old ties with its traditional partner, Great Britain, Australia is expanding its trade with the US and Asian countries. Although the 1999 referendum showed that the majority of the population prefers to have the British monarch as head of state, many Australians, especially young people, want to live in a state with a republican system.

CITIES IN EASTERN AUSTRALIA

On the east coast of Australia there are three largest cities - state capitals: Melbourne - the capital of Victoria, Brisbane - the capital of Queensland and Sydney - the capital of New South Wales. Sydney, located in a picturesque bay, is the most populated city and financial center of the country. Sydney receives more than 4.9 million foreign tourists annually - more than any other Australian city.

RIGHTS OF THE NATIVES

Before the appearance of the first Europeans, up to 1 million natives lived on the mainland, who were engaged in hunting, fishing and barter. The immigrants brought with them new diseases against which the natives had no immunity. They died by the thousands from venereal diseases, tuberculosis and the common cold virus. More were killed in skirmishes with the settlers, many of whom treated the natives as bloodthirsty savages. They were discriminated against, deprived of land and driven into reservations, forcing them to change their way of life. Aboriginal children, called the "stolen generation", were taken from their parents and given to orphanages or white families. Until the mid 1960s. adult natives did not even have the right to vote. Since then, there has been clear progress in this direction. In 1967, Aboriginal people received the right to vote, and then a series of laws were passed recognizing their rights to own land. The next step towards improving the life of the indigenous population was the measures aimed at increasing their level of well-being and education. Recently, interest in Aboriginal culture and art has increased in Australia and around the world. However, despite all this, the Aborigines remain the poorest and most disadvantaged of all Australians, and their average life expectancy is 15 years less than that of the rest of the population.

TASMANIA

Tasmania - the smallest of the states of Australia with a population of 473 thousand people - occupies the island of the same name, which is separated from the mainland by Bass Strait.

The area of ​​the state of Tasmania, including the islands of Flinders, King, Cape Barren and others, is about 68 thousand square meters. km - this is less than 1% of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe whole of Australia. Even 9,000 years ago, the island was connected to the mainland and geologically is a continuation of the Great Dividing Range. Most of Tasmania is occupied by a low plateau framed by a chain of mountain peaks. The island is crossed by many fast-flowing streams that are used to generate hydro-electricity. The central, eastern and northern parts of Tasmania are occupied by arable land, meadows and vineyards. In the western, less economically developed areas, vast areas are covered with rainforest, dominated by trees of typical Australian species, among which the blue eucalyptus is the symbol of the island. Long-term isolation of Tasmania has led to the emergence of unusual species of animals that are not found anywhere else on Earth - the Tasmanian devil, the ground parrot and the Tasmanian wolf, or thylacine. The forestry and mining industries play an important role in Tasmania's economy, but the state authorities strive to preserve natural landscapes whenever possible. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. A few industrial enterprises are concentrated in the south of the island near Hobart, the main port of the state and the oldest city in the country after Sydney. The settlement of Tasmania by aborigines began more than 35 thousand years ago, when it was still part of the mainland. However, after the arrival of Europeans, disease and war sharply reduced the number of indigenous people, whose share is now less than 3%.

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

Central Australia, which includes the states of the Northern Territory and South Australia, is a vast, low-lying region with an arid climate.

Most of Central Australia is occupied by deserts (Tanami, Simpson and the Great Victoria Desert), framed by a belt of scrabblelands - semi-deserts with thorny shrubs. Several mountain ranges rise in the center of the region: the McDonnell Range, which stretches 200 km west of the city of Alice Springs, and the Musgrave Range, rising south of Uluru (Ayers Rock). To the north, semi-deserts turn into sa-baths, which are replaced by rain forests and vast coastal marshes. In the southern regions, lowlands predominate, the monotony of which is broken by the Flinders Range, covered with dense tropical vegetation. To the east and west of the mountain range there are large lakes - depressions, covered with a salt crust for a significant part of the year and only from time to time filled with water. The largest - Lake Eyre - is located 16 m below sea level. Its catchment area exceeds 1 million square meters. km, and it happens that it spills over an area of ​​9 thousand square meters. km. Australia's main river, the Murray, also ends here, flowing into the ocean east of Adelaide.

CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE

South Australia is considered the driest state in the country. On the coast, the climate is sub-tropical with a large amount of precipitation, while in the interior the climate is arid and the annual rainfall does not exceed 300 mm. A hot and arid climate prevails in most of the Northern Territory. However, near the coast of this state, a tropical climate dominates with heavy rainfall up to 1800 mm per year, most of which falls on the monsoon season - from November to April. In the arid regions of both states, where conditions permit, cattle and sheep are bred. In the south of South Australia, more fertile soils allow for higher yields of wheat, barley, oats, fruits and vegetables. Thanks to the developed irrigation system in the Barossa Valley (South Australia), grapes are harvested most of all in the country. The wine industry in Australia has developed very intensively over the past 20 years, but the country produces excellent wines that are exported to many countries of the world. Tropical fruits and vegetables grow on the coast of the Northern Territory, including citrus fruits and bananas. Australia's highly efficient agriculture allows it not only to fully meet its food needs, but also to take a leading position among the world's suppliers of meat, milk, cheese, wool, as well as wheat, wine, and fruit.

OUTDOOR POPULATED REGION

Central Australia is a region with a small population, the main part of which is concentrated in large settlements. Huge spaces are usually uninhabited. Although the Northern Territory covers an area of ​​more than 1.34 million square meters. km, there are only about 200 thousand people - just over 1% of the total population of Australia. Some people live in mining villages, agricultural communities and Aboriginal villages, but the majority of the population lives either in Alice Springs or in Darwin - the main port of the Northern Territory and its capital. After devastating tropical cyclones, Darwin had to be rebuilt five times. But government assistance, a thriving mining and tourism industry have turned what is now Darwin into a thriving city of 109,000 people. The area of ​​South Australia, although smaller - 984 thousand square meters. km, but there are seven times more residents than the northern neighbor. Almost 95% of the population lives on the 45 km wide coastal strip, with the vast majority concentrated in large cities such as the state capital Adelaide, the fifth most populated city in the country, surrounded by forests and an extensive network of roads. The gas and mining industries located in Adelaide and its environs, together with farming and the tourism industry, are the main source of income for the city treasury.

ANIMAL WORLD OF AUSTRALIA

Australia was once part of a single super-continent Pangea, but in the process of continental drift about 50 million years ago, the Australian block of the earth's crust broke away from the main land mass and began to gradually shift to its current position. Isolation from the rest of the world led to the fact that the evolution of Australia's animals took a different path, contributing to the emergence of many different species. Among the inhabitants of Central Australia there are many of these unique animals that have adapted to the difficult conditions of the desert - the long powerful legs of the kangaroo help them overcome long distances in search of meager food, the wombat can do without water for months. The second largest bird in the world, the emu, also lives here. In the 19th century camels were brought to the mainland, used as pack animals when traveling through the Australian deserts. Now there are about 60 thousand wild camels in Australia, living mainly in the state of the Northern Territory. There are no large predators in Australia, but there are poisonous insects and reptiles, including the tiger snake and taipan, which have the most deadly poison in the world.

ABORIGENIC CULTURE

Aboriginal people can be found in any corner of Australia, but most of them live in the state of the Northern Territory. During the time that has passed since the appearance of the first people on the continent, many different tribal groups with their own peculiar languages ​​and cultures have formed on the territory of Australia. There are more than 200 languages ​​and dialects spoken by the Australian Aborigines. All of them led a nomadic and semi-nomadic way of life in complete harmony with the nature around them, being engaged in gathering, hunting and fishing. Aboriginal culture, specific and diverse, is reflected in their visual arts, folklore, music and dance. Their rock paintings and oral legends concern mainly the origin of the surrounding world and the people living in it. At the heart of the culture of the natives is the idea of ​​the "time of dreams", when the Earth and all living beings were created. The first ancestors were presented to them in the form of beings sleeping in the primeval world; awakened, they created people and nature. According to the beliefs of the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, the creators of nature dressed each tribe with their own land, which, being considered sacred, can neither be donated nor sold.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia - the largest state of the country - is rich in mineral resources. The climate and soils in the southwest favor the development of agriculture.

Western Australia is a huge arid region, washed in the west and south by the waters of the Indian Ocean, and in the north by the Timor Sea. The area of ​​the state is about 2.5 million square meters. km and most of its territory is a medium-high plateau with sparse vegetation. More than half of the interior of Western Australia is occupied by deserts: the Great Sandy, Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts. And although in all three deserts there are areas of wooded savannahs, swamps and salt lakes, the climate here is desert with an average annual rainfall of less than 200 mm and temperatures above 30 ° C.

The mountainous regions of the state are isolated from each other: in the northeast, the peaks of the Hamersley Range rise, and in the north, the flat peaks of the Kimberley Plateau, rich in various minerals, rise. In the very north of the state is the largest body of water in the region - Lake Argyle. In the southeast of the state lies the Nullarbor Plain, a low, limestone plateau. Its perfectly flat surface made it possible to lay an absolutely straight section of the Trans-Australian Railway here.

CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE

Although in general Western Australia is an arid region, there are climatic differences over such a vast expanse. In the extreme north the climate is tropical with periodic cyclones, and in the extreme south it is Mediterranean. In both these areas, the average annual rainfall reaches 1600 mm. As we move deeper into the mainland, the amount of precipitation decreases, the average daily temperature exceeds 30 ° C in summer, and often drops below zero in winter. The only place where snow falls is a low mountain range north of Albany. Fertile lands lie in the south-west of the region, where the production of the main agricultural crops is concentrated. On an area of ​​about 28 thousand square meters. km, oats, vegetables, oilseeds, fruits, and wheat are grown, for which the state ranks first in the country. Livestock breeding is also an important branch of the region's economy. State government-controlled logging and coastal fishing also contribute to the state's economy.

HUGE DEPOSITS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Australia is exceptionally rich in mineral resources, and its mining industry is one of the most advanced in the world. Large mineral deposits located in various parts of the country contribute to the development of the mining industry in all regions of Australia. For example, almost 70% of the country's copper production comes from the huge mines of Queensland, while the main uranium production comes from the mines of the Northern Territory and South Australia. Western Australia is the leader in gross mining and in the extraction of metal ores, which account for 38 and 67% of the country's total production, respectively. The richest reserves of bauxite and nickel are concentrated in the state. Western Australia also accounts for about 97% of iron ore and 67% of gold mined in the country. Opening in the 1970s diamond deposits in the northeast of Western Australia allowed Australia to enter the top five world leaders in the production of this valuable mineral. The gold deposits located in Western Australia provide about 75% of the precious metal mined in the country. In the second half of the XX century. on the continental shelf of Western Australia, the richest deposits of oil were discovered.

STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY

Since the 1960s Western Australia's economy is growing at the fastest pace in the country. The basis for its growth was intensive farming and mining, bringing about 25% of income to the state treasury. Tourism, which has been booming in recent years, is also making a significant contribution to the prosperity of the state. Rapidly growing industrial enterprises, concentrated in the vicinity of Perth, are engaged in the processing of raw materials mined in the region. Perth, which has become a major business and financial center, is located much closer to Singapore than Sydney, and there is reason to believe that the city will strengthen its trade ties with Asian countries.

POPULATION AND CITIES

In Western Australia, the population density does not exceed 1 person per 1 sq. km. km. Despite the leading role of agriculture in the economy of the region, no more than 15% of the population lives in rural areas. The first permanent settlement on the southwest coast arose in the 1820s. The settlers gradually developed nearby lands and built farms. In the 1850s parties of convicts began to arrive here. The discovery of gold deposits caused a "gold rush" and a powerful wave of immigration, dramatically increasing the population of the region. In 1899, the wealth gained from gold prompted ambitious citizens to finance the construction of an artificial bay near the city of Fremantle. Now Fremantle is swallowed up by the growing Perth. The city limits are home to 1,340,000 of the 1,920,000 inhabitants of the state. Ancient buildings, carefully preserved and restored, beautiful views make Perth attractive for tourists. In contrast to the capital of the state - the fourth city of the country in terms of population - in any of the settlements of Western Australia does not have more than 35 thousand people. Despite the small population, the centers of mining in the interior of the state, Kalgoorlie and Boulder, are of great economic importance.

"Great Illustrated Reference. Countries and Continents”, Moscow, Makhaon, 2005,