Australia

Australia

General Information

Welcome to Australia, an interesting island country in the Southern hemisphere that lies between the Indian Ocean and the Great Ocean.

Australia is an extremely rich country known for its wildlife, festivals, and indigenous people. It is located in the Oceania Continent and is established in more than half of the continent. The country, which has no land borders to any country, has a fairly large coastline of 25,760 kilometers and a total area of ​​8,698,850 square kilometers. Australia's largest city is Sydney and its capital is Canberra. The people of Australia, on the other hand, are very humanistic and helpful. The language spoken in the vast majority of the country is English, but Aboriginals, known as the natives of the country, speak their local language. In addition, Italian, Arabic, Greek and Vietnamese languages ​​are also spoken in the country. The country is well developed in terms of language richness.

Australia neighbors Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and East Timora. The country is home to six major states.

These states;

New South Wales (NSW), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD)

Western Australia (WA)

Education

The education system in Australia is highly systematic and self-promoting. Vocational training is leading, and students are educated entirely according to their abilities. The learning process is full of holidays, and lessons are taught with experimental and visual support. Australia is home to 41 universities. Only three of these universities are private. The remaining 38 universities are state owned. The language of instruction is English.

Religion

There is no official religion in Australia. The vast majority of its people are Christians. Many Christians are also Catholics. The remaining quarter population believes in no religion. Aborigines, the oldest indigenous people of the country, have a very different belief structure. Aborigines do not see their ancestors or tribal elders as gods except for what is generally known, they see them as "dream time" beings. Dream Time beings, according to the Aboriginal people, first shaped the empty world, then created rivers, mountains, plants, animals and people. In addition, they argue that dream-time beings teach the rules of life. The rules of life include marriage, hunting, fire control and tribal order. In this respect, the belief structure of the Aboriginal people reveals the cultural richness and interesting structure of Australia.

Entertainment and Arts

The country hosts many festivals and walks throughout the year. Australian travelers can have unforgettable memories and information by attending organized festivals and walks. Festivals held in the country bring new dimensions to the entertainment by bringing art and culture to the fore.

Australia has three major festivals. These festivals; Adelaide Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival and Tropfest Short Film Festivals. In addition, the Sydney Mardi Gras LGBTI pride and march festival has been held since 1979. This festival clearly reflects that the country respects every opinion, and the importance given to equality and freedom. Festivals are organized to keep the culture of Aboriginal people alive in the country. Spirit Festival in Adelaide, Indigenous Arts Festival in Melbourne, and Homeground festival in Sydney.

Australia also hosts the four world Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments held at Melbourne Park each year in January, the second-highest participating and popular tennis tournament after America.

Climate

Australia experiences dry and humid periods throughout the year. In the south-west of the country, which has a tropical climate in general, the Mediterranean climate is effective. Ocean movements also affect the country's climate. Wind and fluctuations in the ocean can cause sudden changes in the air. Due to its tropical climate, long rains are observed throughout the year. The summer months of Australia, on the contrary of our country, correspond to the months of December, January and February. The best travel time for Australia is spring.

Wildlife

With giant spiders, crocodiles and snakes that are unmatched anywhere in the world, Australia has a frightening and interesting biodiversity.

There are more kangaroos than humans in Australia. They roam the streets very easily among people and there are many protected areas for them. Walking the streets of Australia is like going on a safari. If you find it interesting that kangaroos roam the streets, we want you to know that giant crocodiles and snakes roam the streets freely. So that 75% of the creatures living in Australia are not yet known. There are almost 750 species of reptiles living in the country. Let's not go without mentioning the giant pythons that eat everything, they can even eat the giant crocodiles in the country. Apart from pythons, there are 10 most venomous snake species in the world in Australia. It is known that there are many sharks, poisonous octopuses and jellyfish in the ocean and beaches.

Australia has very strict sanctions on animal rights. There are many protected areas and national parks in the country. It also has the world's largest animal farm. The farm covers a larger area than Israel's face.

Since 3/2 of the country is desert, it is quite high in camels. Therefore, Australia is exporting camels to Arabia.

Natural Life Parks to Visit

Australia has wildlife parks and beaches that travelers must see. These parks and beaches reveal the magnificent nature of wildlife, which we are sure that you will be enchanted in the places you visit and will definitely want to see it again.

Sydney Harbor, Kings Park and Botanical Park, The Kangaroo Sanctuary, Ned’s Beach

Melshell Oyster Shack, The Larapinta Train

Apart from the specified parks and beaches, Australia, which hosts dozens of parks and beaches, offers magnificent moments to its travelers in all aspects.

Cuisine

Australian cuisine is very rich and diverse. It has produced world-famous chefs and it is a country that has shown its culinary taste to the whole world. Australian people love to barbecue, especially outdoors, and barbecue is the country's most famous dish. Meats blended with special sauces form the basis of Australian cuisine. Its most famous sauce is prepared with dried tomatoes and a sweet sauce. Due to its climate, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables add rich salads to the country cuisine. Seafood has also taken its place in Australian cuisine. Especially sautéed oysters enter the kitchen in abundance. The country, which hosts very famous and very delicious desserts, is ranked number one in biscuit and cream desserts. The country's Anzac biscuit is famous. Australian travelers must taste it. Macademia nuts are indigenous to Australia. In addition, the country, which is also engaged in ginger cultivation, has specialized in Pasta production. It works wonders in winemaking thanks to its large and eye-catching vineyards. Australian travelers should not forget to sip their wine while tasting amazing desserts and dishes.

Economy

The country also uses Australian dollars, and many currencies are valid in the country, as it hosts many nationalities and hosts many tourists. Australia has a free market economy. In addition, poverty in the country is almost non-existent. In addition, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu islands have their own currencies. Life in Australia is easy and does not burden guests.

Culture

Australia's most enviable aspect is that it has an egalitarian society. In Australia, traffic flows from the left and respect for pedestrians is outstanding. Urban and intercity transportation services are of high quality and also developed. The people of the country are humanist and hospitable. Anyone traveling around Australia will be amazed by the country's cultural landscape.

What to Buy from Australia?

Although the native people of Australia can be remembered by the history and bone jewelery of the Aborigines, there is a great variety in gift and shopping. Australian people are fond of shopping. For this reason, there are large and many shopping malls in the country. If you want to buy gifts for your loved ones and friends who are waiting for you from Australia, you can buy kangaroo, koala and Tasmanian devil figurines or a magnificent and delicious Australian wine will be a very nice gift. If you are a fan of Australia's famous boomerangs, you should definitely get one.

Interesting Facts About Australia

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world in terms of surface area and the only country to cover an entire continent. Island countries, let alone the United States or the entire European continent (including Turkey and the Scandinavian countries) have much wider territory.

The size of the Great Desert of Victoria, one of Australia's arid areas, is as large as the area of ​​the UK.

In Australia, where there are around ten thousand beaches, it takes 27 years to see all of Australia's beaches if one is to swim on a new beach every day.

Despite being an enormous island nation, Australia's population is only 23.8 million. While only 23 million 800 thousand people live in Australia, the country's sheep population is over 150 million.

More than one million wild camels live in the deserts of Australia. Camels were brought to Australia from the Middle East in the 1800s to be used in railway construction. Today, Australia, where dromedary camels are densely populated, exports camels to Saudi Arabia.

Kangaroos are born only one centimeter in size. There are over 40 million kangaroos in Australia, which is about twice the human population. Over 60 species of kangaroos live in the country, and kangaroo meat is a part of Australian cuisine. Kangaroos cannot walk backwards.

Known as sunny all seasons, Australia's snowy areas are larger than Switzerland.

Ten of the world's 15 most venomous snake species live in Australia. There are 1,500 spiders, 6,000 flies, 4,000 ants and 350 different species of winged ants in Australia.

The platypus, a mammal native to Tasmania and Australia, has enough venom to kill a small dog.

The species of jellyfish, called the box jellyfish, is responsible for more deaths than all deaths caused by snakes, sharks and giant crocodiles in Australia.

Australia is the only country where marsupials such as koala, kangaroo and quokka are found outside of zoos.

The best way to start exploring Australia is to visit Sydney, the country's most beautiful and unique city. You will find old quarters, modern business districts and shopping streets there. Tourists who want to see historical buildings, churches and monuments should start with the King Cross district. Narrow Cross Street is home to streets and beautiful squares, art centers, museums and souvenir shops. Elizabeth Street is a popular shopping destination and the nearby Homebush district is the location of the Olympic sports facilities. Sydney's most popular sights include the Sydney Museum of History and Anthropology, the National Maritime Museum, the Memorial Art Gallery, the Museum of Applied Arts and Science, the New South Wales Art Gallery, the Nicolson Ancient Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

The city also has various parks and reserves. The most popular of these are Hyde Park and Australian Wild Animal Park. In Sydney, tourists can take an extraordinary trip. For example, a visit to opal production. Here visitors will see the rock workings, learn more interesting information about these gemstones, and of course they can buy jewelry.

Perth is another Australian city to stand out. It is famous for a large number of mines, mostly with gold, diamond and nickel quarries. Perth is a wonderful place with typical Australian scenery, with high rocks, unusual trees and numerous exotic plants.

Darwin is a city that hides interesting places and surprises. The main attraction here is Kakadu National Park, where visitors can see rare animals, birds and enjoy the local flora. There are several parks in the Darwin suburbs, with Katherine Caves and Leechfield being the most popular.

Adelaide Street, Undoubtedly Big Barrier Reef, is the main symbol of the country and one of the most famous places in the World. The reef runs along the country's east coast. Big Barrier Reef is the world's largest and added to the UNO World Heritage list. The length of the reef is 50 kilometers. Each year this unique place attracts many divers, who deeply admire the beauty of the Reef. Divers are also recommended to visit Magnetic Island, where they will find amazing nature greenery.

History and Entertainment

Before the colonial era, Australian lands were populated by Aborigines. The first settlements were established here more than 60 000 years ago. Some of the most interesting archaeological sites are located near Lake Mungo. In some states of Australia, researchers have found remains of ancient cave paintings. The colonial era in Australia began in 1606, when the continent was first visited by European travelers. The first man to visit him was Dutch traveler Willem Janszoon. He searched the land he had discovered New Holland. Within a few years, Australia was visited by Spanish colonists. The first British colonies were established here in the late 18th century.

The cityscape Indigenous population is declining significantly for 150 years of active colonization. One of the main causes of aboriginal deaths was infectious diseases brought by Europeans. The most outstanding event in Australian history was the beginning of the Golden Rush in the mid-19th century. In 1901, a colonial federation known as the Australian Community was formed. Australia officially gained independence from Great Britain in 1986, not too long ago.

Australian cuisine - Specialties, recipes and restaurants

Australia's national cuisine is one of the most exotic and diverse culinary traditions in which the taste preferences of many people around the world are mixed.

The main value of the continent is its unique nature. There are many unique national parks in Australia. Here, you can see rare, endemic animals not found anywhere else in the world. Kanguro, platypuses, emus, and rare koala species remain here. The most famous national park is Kakadu. Australian Aboriginal settlements are still seen in its region.

Australia attracts many people with its luxurious beaches. Local beaches are best suited for surfing in the world. The most luxurious resort area is the Golden Beach, which has its source near Brisbane. It has an elite holiday destination with luxury hotels and restaurants. Broadbeach resort is very popular with passionate travelers.

One of Australia's main tourist destinations is the Great Barrier Reef. Divers come here from all over the world to dive. This unique natural place is under UNESCO protection, so diving is permitted only in some places.