Australia with its six states and its two territories is the remotest of the settled continents. The name Australia comes from the Latin expression "Terra Australis Incognita", which simply means "Southern land". It was originally part of the ancient continent of Gondwanaland. Australia emerged as a separate continent about 100 million years ago, when Antarctica broke away and drifted southwards. Australia is still a moving island. The first Europeans in Australia were almost certainly the Portuguese. The first confirmed visit was undertaken by the Dutch in 1616. In the following years Great Britain sent their convicts to Australia. In total, Britain transported 130.000 convicts to Australia also for the most trivial crimes. There were about 300.000 Aborigines in Australia when the Europeans arrived. Today about 200.00 Aborigines live in Australia.
The major cities of Australia are Sydney, which is the largest city, Canberra, which is the capital of Australia and Melbourne. The Australians are very friendly, outgoing and informal people. It′s easy to come into contact with them and you won′t have problems to finding a way to handle them in business deals. Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy, an independent self-governing state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The constitution is based on the British parliamentary traditions; the head of the state is the British sovereign.
Australia is very rich in natural resources and also has a large industry. Today, agriculture accounts for only 3 percent of the GDP, the gross domestic product. The most important economy factor is the service sector, first of all the financial service sector which accounted in the 1990s for more than 60 percent of the Australian gross domestic product. But also, tourism has increased during the last years because of the cheaper long haul flights and the all inclusive tourism offers which are becoming more and more interesting even for the European. In Australia more and more tourism sights, national parks... opens every year.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Facts
- Land and Resources
- Geology
- Climate and Temperature
- Important cities of Australia
- Sydney
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- Religion
- Language
- Pidgin English
- The Flash Language
- The American Influence
- Strine
- Business Culture – Tips and Tricks
- Greetings and courtesies
- Decision making
- Women in higher positions
- Punctuality and Meetings
- Business Attire
- Government
- Natural Resources
- Economy
- Agriculture
- Foreign Trade
- Tourism
- National Holidays
- The Australian National Anthem
- An Australian joke
- A Texas Farmer in Australia
- A typical Australian meal
- Honey macadamia salad
- Resources
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this research paper is to provide an overview of various aspects of Australian life, focusing on geographical features, cultural elements, and business practices. The author aims to present a concise yet informative exploration of selected topics, acknowledging the vastness and complexity of the subject matter.
- Geographical characteristics of Australia, including its land, resources, geology, and climate.
- Cultural aspects of Australia, encompassing language, religion, and social customs.
- Business culture in Australia, highlighting communication styles and workplace dynamics.
- Economic overview of Australia, with a focus on key sectors like agriculture and tourism.
- Historical context of Australia's development and settlement.
Chapter Summaries
Facts: This chapter presents a general overview of Australia's geographical makeup, outlining its six states and two territories, along with key statistics such as its total area and population. It provides a basic framework for understanding Australia's scale and composition, establishing a foundational context for the subsequent chapters. The inclusion of a map further enhances the reader's understanding of Australia's size and location within the southern hemisphere.
Land and Resources: This section details the geographical features of Australia, emphasizing its flat terrain and arid climate. It highlights the contrast between the densely populated coastal regions and the vast, sparsely populated interior, known as the Outback. The discussion of average elevation and rainfall patterns provides crucial context to understanding Australia's environmental challenges and the distribution of its population.
Geology: The chapter delves into Australia's geological history, tracing its origins as part of Gondwanaland and its subsequent evolution as a separate continent. The discussion of the age of its rock formations and its ongoing northward movement offers insight into the country's long and dynamic geological past. This geological history is crucial in understanding the diversity of Australia's landscape and resources.
Climate and Temperature: This chapter describes the diverse climatic conditions across Australia, ranging from tropical monsoonal in the north to cool temperate in Tasmania. It explains how the majority of the country experiences a hot and dry climate, with significant variations in rainfall. The chapter highlights the impact of the sea on coastal climates and the prevalence of bushfires in southeastern Australia.
Keywords
Australia, geography, geology, climate, culture, language, business culture, economy, agriculture, tourism, history, Gondwanaland, Outback.
Frequently Asked Questions: Australian Country Profile
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Australia, covering its geography, culture, business practices, and economy. It aims to offer a concise yet informative exploration of key aspects of Australian life.
What topics are covered in this document?
The document covers a wide range of topics, including Australia's geography (land, resources, geology, climate), culture (language, religion), business culture (communication styles, workplace dynamics), economy (agriculture, tourism), and important cities (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne). It also includes historical context, national holidays, the national anthem, and some cultural anecdotes (jokes, food).
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents lists sections on: Abstract, Facts, Land and Resources, Geology, Climate and Temperature, Important Cities of Australia (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne), Religion, Language (Pidgin English, Flash Language, American Influence, Strine), Business Culture – Tips and Tricks (Greetings, Decision Making, Women in Higher Positions, Punctuality, Business Attire), Government, Natural Resources, Economy (Agriculture, Foreign Trade, Tourism), National Holidays, The Australian National Anthem, An Australian Joke, A Texas Farmer in Australia, A Typical Australian Meal, Honey Macadamia Salad, and Resources.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes revolve around the geographical characteristics of Australia, its cultural aspects (including language and social customs), its business culture, and an economic overview focusing on key sectors. The historical context of Australia's development is also touched upon.
What are the chapter summaries about?
The chapter summaries provide brief overviews of the content of each section. For example, the "Facts" chapter gives a general overview of Australia's geography and key statistics, while "Land and Resources" details the geographical features, emphasizing the contrast between coastal and inland regions. "Geology" explores Australia's geological history and "Climate and Temperature" describes the diverse climatic conditions across the country.
What keywords are associated with this document?
The keywords include: Australia, geography, geology, climate, culture, language, business culture, economy, agriculture, tourism, history, Gondwanaland, Outback.
What kind of information is provided about Australian business culture?
The section on business culture offers tips and tricks, including information on greetings and courtesies, decision-making processes, the role of women in higher positions, punctuality and meetings, and appropriate business attire.
What is the information on Australian language like?
The section on language explores various aspects, including Pidgin English, the Flash Language, the American influence on Australian English, and the colloquialism "Strine."
Where can I find information about Australian geography?
Information on Australian geography is spread across several chapters, including "Facts," "Land and Resources," "Geology," and "Climate and Temperature." These chapters cover the country's size, landforms, geological history, and climate variations.
- Quote paper
- Angela Suppan (Author), 2003, Australia - a short introduction, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/18369
