• Capital: Canberra

• More important city: Sydney

• Language: Australian English

• Currency: Australian dollar

• Total population: 22.000.000 inhabitants

The Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere.

Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north; the Salomon Islands, Vanuatu and

New Caledonia to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.

Australia is the world’s sixth largest country by total area.

The Great Barrier Reef, is the world largest coral extends for over 2.000 kilometres.

Australia is the flattest continent with the oldest and least fertile soils. Only in the south-east

and south-west the climate is template.

Australian English is the language in Australia. Grammar and spelling are similar to British English with some notable exceptions. The next most common languages spoken are:

o Italian (1.6%)o Greek (1.3%)o Cantonese (1.2%)

Australian fauna are the monotremes, marsupials, including the kangaroo, koala, wombat; and

birds such as the emu. Australia is home to many

dangerous animals including some of the most venenous snakes of the

world.

The forest are mostly made up of evergreen species, particularly eucalyptus trees in the less and

desert resgions are the most dominant species.

Around 24% Australians over the age of 15 participate in

sporting activities in Australia. It has got strong international teams in cricket, field hockey and rugby league having been Olympic or world Championship.

Australia is also powerful in cycling, rowing and swimming. Australia has participated in every summer Olympics of the modern era.

Other major international events include the Australian Open Tennis grand slam.