Fun Facts ‐ Australia
• Australia is an island (the largest one on Earth). It is also its own continent.
• Surfing is a popular sport in Australia, and the country boasts some of the world’s best surfing beaches.
• Most of Australia’s 21 million people live along the eastern and southeastern coasts.
• Along with cars, major forms of transportation are trains, trams and bicycles.
• Major religions in Australia are the Catholic and Anglican churches.
• The largest Greek community outside of Greece is found in Australia. Australia also attracts a large number of immigrants from New Zealand, China, India, the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
• Vegemite, a food spread made from yeast extract, is a popular Australian food.
• Marsupials (pouched mammals) are rare in other parts of the world but are the dominant type of mammal in Australia. The country’s diverse types of marsupials include koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils and wombats.
• In the global entertainment world, well‐known Australian actors include Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Elliot V. Kotek, Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Jesse Spencer, Anthony LaPaglia, Isabel Lucas and Abbie Cornish.
• Australia has contributed the following to the global music scene: Silverchair, Wolfmother, The Wiggles, Olivia Newton‐John, Missy Higgins, Powderfinger, Kylie Minogue
• Australia is at the forefront of environmental awareness, and initiated recycling initiatives that include general waste collections with separate bins for recycleable items. Supermarkets and general stores charge for plastic bags, and reusable bags are commonplace.
• Global warming has caused the average temperatures to rise; the sun has become harsher and skin cancer levels have risen.
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• One of the environmental issues facing Australia is the limited natural fresh water reserves. Droughts have become a big problem, particularly for farmers. Use of poor quality water has caused soil salinity to rise. Water restrictions throughout the country limit the amount of water that can be used for such things as a shower or watering the garden.
• The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s northeast coast, is the largest coral reef in the world, with many beautiful and interesting species of marine life. Its very popularity as a tourist destination, along with increased shipping in the area, threatens its survival.
• Australia’s government is a federal parliamentary democracy. The privilege of voting in elections is a responsibility that is taken so seriously that if a registered voter fails to vote, the person might be fined!
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