Here we are with another blog on the series “KNOW OUR WORLD”. In this blog, we will talk about a country, globally famous for its natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts, “The Bush”, and “The Outback”, i.e. Australia.
Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world’s sixth-largest country.
Table of Contents
Major Statistics:
Let’s discuss some important aspects of this country first.
- Official Name: The Commonwealth of Australia
- Capital: Canberra
- Religion: Diverse Religion – Christianity remaining the most common religion (52 per cent of the population)
- National Anthem: Advance Australia Fair
- Language: English
- Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
- National Flower: Golden wattle
- National animal: Kangaroo
- National Bird: Emu
- National Flag:
The flag has three elements on a blue background: the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross.The Union Jack in the upper left corner represents the history of British settlement.Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth, or Federation, star. It has seven points representing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth of Australia. The star is also featured on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.The Southern Cross is shown on the flag in white. It is a constellation of five stars that can only be seen from the southern hemisphere and is a reminder of Australia’s geography.
- National Day: 26 January
Geography:
Australia, the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s capital is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne.
- Largest state (by area): Western australia
- Smallest state (by area): Tasmania
Polity:
- Current Prime Minister: Scott John Morrison
- First Prime Minister: Edmund Barton
Some Interesting Facts:
- Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal.
- Australia’s largest desert is the Great Victoria Basin.
- The longest river of Australia is the Murray River.
- Uluru, previously called Ayers Rock, is located in the centre of the country and is the largest standing rock in the world.
- Australia is the only continent in the world without an active volcano.
- Australia was the second country in the world to give women the right to vote in 1902.
- The island of Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.
- Canberra was selected Australia’s capital for the sole reason of resolving disputes between Sydney and Melbourne which had both wanted to be the country’s administrative center.
- Australia’s Highway 1 is the world’s longest national highway.
- There are more Kangaroos than humans in Australia (nearly double).
So, this is all for this blog. We’ll keep updating you with such interesting blogs in future as well so that you don’t face any difficulty while appearing for competitive exams such as SSC CHSL, NET JRF, etc.
In the next blog, we would be discussing some interesting facts and trivia about the country Sri Lanka. Click here to Know Country –Sri Lanka.
