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The [[Commonwealth]] of Australia is part of [[Oceania]], and a largely [[secular]] nation. Of Australia's population of over 20 million approximately 1.5 million attend weekly religious services (1).  It is about 7,500 miles from the [[United States]]. The mainland of Australia is about the same size as the mainland 48 states of the USA.  Australia is the smallest continent in the world, it is 2400 miles, (3,860 km) from east to west and 2,000 miles (3,220 km) from north to south. It covers an area of 2,967,877 sq miles (7,686,810 sq km). The Australian coastline is 22,812 miles long (36,735 kilometers).

The [[Commonwealth]] of Australia is part of [[Oceania]], and a largely [[secular]] nation. Of Australia's population of over 20 million approximately 1.5 million attend weekly religious services <ref>[http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083| National Church Life Survey 2004]</ref>.  It is about 7,500 miles from the [[United States]]. The mainland of Australia is about the same size as the mainland 48 states of the USA.  Australia is the smallest continent in the world, it is 2400 miles, (3,860 km) from east to west and 2,000 miles (3,220 km) from north to south. It covers an area of 2,967,877 sq miles (7,686,810 sq km). The Australian coastline is 22,812 miles long (36,735 kilometers).

Australia has six states and two territories.  The states are [[New South Wales]], [[Victoria]], [[Queensland]], [[Western Australia]], [[South Australia]] and [[Tasmania]].  The territories are the [[Northern Territory]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]] which is the location of Australia's capital city: [[Canberra]].

Australia has six states and two territories.  The states are [[New South Wales]], [[Victoria]], [[Queensland]], [[Western Australia]], [[South Australia]] and [[Tasmania]].  The territories are the [[Northern Territory]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]] which is the location of Australia's capital city: [[Canberra]].

As the 18th century came to a close convicts were given land packages and more free settlers came to the land in the hope of setting up farms and businesses.  A number of colonies started to be formed - the most populated being New South Wales (whose capital city is Sydney). These colonies later became the states.

As the 18th century came to a close convicts were given land packages and more free settlers came to the land in the hope of setting up farms and businesses.  A number of colonies started to be formed - the most populated being New South Wales (whose capital city is Sydney). These colonies later became the states.

The 1850s saw the discovery of gold and large number of people moved to Australia to find new wealth.  Most of these people were British and there was a significant number of Chinese immigrants during this rush. "Americans were drawn to Australia to participate in various enterprises such as the gold fields" [http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/comm-summ/textversion/usa.htm Australian Dept of Immigration and Citizenship]

The 1850s saw the discovery of gold and large number of people moved to Australia to find new wealth.  Most of these people were British and there was a significant number of Chinese immigrants during this rush. "Americans were drawn to Australia to participate in various enterprises such as the gold fields" <ref>[http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/comm-summ/textversion/usa.htm| Australian Dept of Immigration and Citizenship]</ref>

== System of Government ==

== System of Government ==

Australia is noted for its unique biodiversity. Many animals are found only in Australia, the most well known examples are the group of marsupials ([[Kangaroos]], [[Wombats]], [[Wallabies]] and [[Koalas]])and the [[Platypus]]. Examples of plants that are native to Australia are the [[banksia]], [[yellow wattle]] and [[gum tree]].   

Australia is noted for its unique biodiversity. Many animals are found only in Australia, the most well known examples are the group of marsupials ([[Kangaroos]], [[Wombats]], [[Wallabies]] and [[Koalas]])and the [[Platypus]]. Examples of plants that are native to Australia are the [[banksia]], [[yellow wattle]] and [[gum tree]].   

Studies (2) indicate that Australia's unique wildlife is the result of Australia becoming an island, cutting itself off from the Asian landbridge between 40 000 -250 000 years ago (though there is a difference of opinion as to when Australia became an island).

Studies indicate that Australia's unique wildlife is the result of Australia becoming an island, cutting itself off from the Asian landbridge between 40,000 - 250,000 years ago (though there is a difference of opinion as to when Australia became an island).

== Sport ==

== Sport ==

Australia is often known as a sporting nation with success worldwide in swimming, tennis, rugby league and rugby union, cricket, netball and even speed ice skating.  Australians are very keen horse racers with the [http://www.melbournecup.com.au Melbourne Cup] attracting up to 120,000 spectators at Flemington Race Course.  There is even a public holiday for the cup race in Melbourne.

Australia is often known as a sporting nation with success worldwide in swimming, tennis, rugby league and rugby union, cricket, netball and even speed ice skating.  Australians are very keen horse racers with the <ref>[http://www.melbournecup.com.au| Melbourne Cup]</ref> attracting up to 120,000 spectators at Flemington Race Course.  There is even a public holiday for the cup race in Melbourne.

Unique to Australia is a game known as [[Australian rules football]] or Aussie Rules which is played on a cricket oval in winter and draws huge crowds across Australia.

Unique to Australia is a game known as [[Australian rules football]] or Aussie Rules which is played on a cricket oval in winter and draws huge crowds across Australia.

   

   

(1)[http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083 National Church Life Survey 2004]

([[Category:Countries]]

 

 

[[Category:Countries]]