Tuesday 10 July 2018

AUSTRALIA

Australia (officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia), is an Oceanian country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area. Neighbouring countries include Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.

For about 50,000 years before the first British settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who spoke languages grouped into roughly 250 language groups. After the European discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was explored and an additional five self-governing crown colonies were established.

On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system that functions as a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and several territories. The population of 24 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated in the eastern states and on the coast. Australia is a developed country and one of the wealthiest in the world, with the world's 12th-largest economy. In 2014 Australia had the world's fifth-highest per capita income. Australia's military expenditure is the world's 13th-largest.

With the second-highest human development index globally, Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. Australia is a member of the United Nations, G20, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Trade Organisation, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the Pacific Islands Forum. Here is my photographic tour of our country, through the major urban centres and a taste of the Outback.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme.










8 comments:

  1. Great images.
    Your pics remind me of my trip to Australia :)
    Need to visit Australia again as there is a lot that I have missed!

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  2. Victoria is looking awfully small, isn't it? Just as well the Yarra River looks impressive in the centre of town.

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  3. Although never been there … I've seen lots and lots of images of that country of course... I'd love to visit it one day...

    Welcome to round 23.
    Wonderful to see you participate in this new round again. I am looking forward to your upcoming entries! Thank you for participating.
    Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-Wednes-day / -week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♪ (ABC-W-team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/23-A

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  4. I love my country. Happy travels and enjoy the rest of your week. I am joining you today from Tuesday Around the World.

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  5. I know it's imperfect, but i think about moving there sometimes

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  6. I would like to visit Australia one day. In the 1970s, my brother was one of the many American teachers who were recruited to work there. He enjoyed living in Australia a lot.

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  7. Such gorgeous diversity in this country, would love to visit someday.
    Ann

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