1. Welcome to Australia

2. Australia is the world’s largest country and its smallest continent. It is the 6th largest country of the world, its area is 7 686 850 square km. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere south of Asia. The population is 18 300 000 people.

3. The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of Australia . It is an independent federative state, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Australia is a Constitutional monarchy . The head of the state is King or Queen of Great Britain who is also King or Queen of Australia. King or Queen is represented by Governor General . The head of the government is Prime minister. Australia is divided into six states and two territories . The capital of Australia is Canberra . The flag of the country The coat of arms

4. The national emblems of Australia are eucalyptus, wattle, emu, and kangaroo White flowers of the eucalyptus Wattle Emu Kangaroo

5. 1. New South Wales is Australia’s leading industrial state. Its capital is Sidney , the largest city of Australia.

6. Sydney

7. 2. Queensland is the second largest state. Brisbane , its capital, is situated on the east coast. Queensland has long beautiful sandy beaches. Its coast is a popular place for holidaymakers. The climate along the coast is hot and humid.

8. Brisbane

9. 3. South Australia is the third largest state. Its capital and the largest city of the state is Adelaide , founded in 1836. The greater part of the state is occupied by desert lands.

10. 4. Tasmania , is the island state, sometimes called the apple isle because it produces most of Australia’s apples. It is also the leading producer of pears and berries of different kinds. Potatoes are also grown in some areas. The capital of Tasmania is Hobart , the oldest Australia’s city, founded in 1804.

11. Tasmanian wilderness: rainforest vegetation

12. 5. In Victoria most people live in the south. The capital of the state is Melbourne . Sheep and wheat are the main products there. Citrus fruits, grapes, peaches and apricots are grown along the Murray River.

13. Melbourne

14. Melbourne The War Memorial Melbourne, the embankment

15. 6. Western Australia is dry and inhospitable except the southwestern corner of the state. Nearly all of the state’s farms, sheep stations and fruit gardens are situated there. The capital of Western Australia is Perth .

16. Perth

17. 7. Australian Capital Territory occupies an area of 2,432 square km. The capital of the country, Canberra , is situated there. The city doesn’t belong to any state. The tower with a clock The building of the Parliament The TV tower The centre of the city T he National Library of Australia

18. 8. Northern Territory is the least populated and least developed part of Australia. Crocodiles still live in some of the swamps along the coast. Its capital is Darwin.