Australia and Its People

Our continent — geography

Australia is the world's smallest continent and largest island. It sits between the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Tasmania, Australia's island state, is separated from the mainland by Bass Strait.

• Australia is one of the oldest landmasses on Earth.
• The country covers roughly 7.7 million square kilometres.
• Most Australians live along the eastern and south-eastern coasts; the interior is dominated by arid outback.
• The Great Barrier Reef, off the Queensland coast, is the world's largest coral reef system.
• Australia's neighbours include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

The land and the First Peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Australians. They have lived on this continent for more than 65,000 years — among the oldest continuous cultures on Earth.

Aboriginal peoples lived across the Australian mainland and Tasmania in hundreds of distinct nations, each with their own language, Country and customs. Examples include the Eora people of the Sydney region, the Yolŋu of north-east Arnhem Land, the Wiradjuri of central New South Wales and the Noongar of south-western Australia. More than 250 distinct Indigenous languages were spoken before European arrival.

Torres Strait Islander peoples come from the islands between the tip of Cape York and Papua New Guinea. They have their own seafaring cultures and languages (Meriam Mir and Kala Lagaw Ya), distinct from Aboriginal peoples on the mainland.

The Dreaming (sometimes called the Dreamtime) is the spiritual and cultural worldview shared by Aboriginal peoples. It explains the creation of the land, the laws and customs that guide community life, and the deep relationship between people, ancestors and Country. Stories, songlines, ceremonies, art and dance pass the Dreaming from generation to generation.

European arrival and settlement

European exploration of Australia began in the 17th century. In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook charted the east coast of Australia and claimed it for Great Britain.

On 26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove with the First Fleet and established the first British colony in Australia. This date is now commemorated as Australia Day.

Over the next century, six separate British colonies were established: New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

Federation — one nation

On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated to become a single nation: the Commonwealth of Australia. This is known as Federation. The Australian Constitution came into effect on this date.

Australia is made up of six states and two mainland territories:

• New South Wales (capital: Sydney)
• Victoria (capital: Melbourne)
• Queensland (capital: Brisbane)
• Western Australia (capital: Perth)
• South Australia (capital: Adelaide)
• Tasmania (capital: Hobart)
• Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)
• Northern Territory (Darwin)

Canberra is Australia's national capital. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

National symbols

Australia's national symbols express the country's history, identity and values.

• The Australian National Flag has three elements: the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star (a seven-pointed star) and the Southern Cross.
• The Australian Aboriginal Flag (black, red and yellow) and the Torres Strait Islander Flag are also officially recognised flags of Australia.
• The national anthem is "Advance Australia Fair".
• The Australian Coat of Arms shows a kangaroo and emu — two native animals chosen because neither can easily walk backwards, symbolising a nation always moving forward.
• Australia's national colours are green and gold.
• The national floral emblem is the golden wattle.
• The national gemstone is the opal.

Public holidays and significant days

• Australia Day — 26 January. Marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.
• Anzac Day — 25 April. Commemorates Australians who served and died in war, beginning with the Gallipoli landing in 1915.
• Easter — Christian celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Christmas Day — 25 December. Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
• New Year's Day — 1 January.

Modern Australia takes shape

After Federation in 1901, Australia gradually grew into a fully independent nation. A series of milestones marked the path from British colony to confident, multicultural democracy.

• 1914–1918: Australians fought in World War I. The Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915 is commemorated each year as Anzac Day.
• 1918: Women gained the right to vote at all federal elections (full voting rights extended to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from 1962).
• 1931: The Statute of Westminster recognised Australia as fully self-governing in its foreign affairs. Australia formally adopted it in 1942.
• 1939–1945: Australians served in World War II in Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific.
• 1948: The Australian Citizenship Act created the legal status of "Australian citizen" — until then, Australians were British subjects.
• 1951: The ANZUS Treaty was signed between Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
• 1967: A referendum (the most successful in Australian history) recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.
• 1986: The Australia Act removed the last legal links between Australia and the British Parliament.
• 1992: The Mabo decision recognised native title — the traditional rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their land.
• 2008: The Australian Parliament made a formal apology to the Stolen Generations.

A diverse people

Modern Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. Australians come from every continent and speak many languages, but English is the national language.

Australians enjoy a love of sport, the outdoors, and a fair go for everyone. Cricket, Australian rules football, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, netball, swimming and surfing are all popular.