-Australia is the smallest, and the youngest continent.And It is the largest island in the world.

It is divided from other continents by large distances. This is the reason why it was discovered as late as 20th April 1770 by the English Captain James Cook.

Australia

British Captain James Cook was the first to claim the country for Britain in 1770.

The British decided to use its new country as a penal colony, meaning they would keep prisoners there.

Thousands of men and women were brought to Australia as prisoners until 1868, when the transports stopped.

History

-Australia is a continent between the

Indian and the Southern Pacific Ocean. It

is the smallest continent in the world, but

the world's sixth largest country.

-Australia is washed by the Indian Ocean in the west and the south Pacifi c in the east.

Location of Australia

-the eastern coast are the Australian Alps. Here is the highest top of the continent – Mount Kosciusko-The longest river is the Murray River. There are three big lakes: Lake Eyre, Lake Torrens and Lake Gairdner.-The nearest islands are Tasmania and King Island-The animals of Australia are numerous and some of them, like the kangaroo which is also the emblem of Australia, koala bear, dingo or Tasmanian devil can’t be found anywhere else.

Geography and animals in Australia

The official title is The Commonwealth of Australia and it is a dominion of the United Kingdom.

It has a democratic, federal system.

The official head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor General. Actual power is exercised by the Parliament and the Prime Minister.

Political system in Australia

-Melbourne is one of the most beautiful city. You can swim with dolphins there and there are a lot of museums, galleries and parks.-The Sydney Opera House-The Harbour Bridge

Places of interest

Symbols of Australia