AUSTRALIA. GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION
Australia is an island continent lying south-east of Asia and forming, with nearby island of Tasmania and a number of smaller islands, the Commonwealth of Australia. In fact, it is the only country in the world, which occupies the territory of an entire continent. The Australian Commonwealth covers an area of 7,7 million sq. km, the same as the USA (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) and is more than 30 times larger than Great Britain.
The Australian continent is bounded on the north by the Timor and Arafura Seas and Torres Strait, on the east by the Tasman and Coral Seas, on the south by Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean. Australia is the smallest continent and the largest island in the world.
The flattest of all continents, Australia's most significant mountain chain is the Great Dividing Range (the eastern projection of which is known as the Australian Alps) running down most of the east coast. Other mountains include the Kimberley and Hamerslay Ranges in Western Australia, the Macdonnell and Musgrave Ranges in Central Australia, and the Flinders Range in South Australia. Mount Kosciusko (2230 m), in the Australian Alps, is Australia's highest point.
There are few rivers and lakes in Australia. Its best-known river is Murray (2600 km). The longest is the Darling (2740 km). These, with the Murrumbidgee, the Lachlan and a number of smaller rivers form the continent's river system.
The isolation of the continent has resulted in the development of a distinctive Australian flora and fauna. This is reflected in the country's coat-of-arms by the symbols of Australia's native animals and plants: the kangaroo and the emu and a twig of wattle. It is also reflected in Australia's poetic name: "Land of Wattle".
VOCABULARY
to occupy ['ɔkjupaɪ] — займати
entire [ɪn'taɪə] — весь, увесь
excluding [ɪks'klu:dɪŋ] — за винятком
to bound [baund] — межувати; обмежувати
significant [sɪg'nɪfɪkənt] — важливий, значний
to include [ɪn'klu:d] — включати до складу
coat-of-arms [,kəutəv'a:mz] — герб
twig [twɪg] — гілочка
wattle [wɔtl] — австралійська акація або мімоза
QUESTIONS
1. Where is Australia situated?
2. What is special about Australia?
3. What is the country bounded by?
4. What most significant mountain chain?
5. What rivers are there in Australia?
6. What do you know about Australia's flora and fauna?
AUSTRALIA. HISTORY
It is probably also due to its geographical position that Australia was the last continent to be inhabited by the white man. The first landing by Europeans took place in 1606. More that a century and a half later an expedition headed by the British explorer James Cook added the land to the possessions of the Britishcrown. Until the name "Australia" (meaning "South Land") became generally accepted for the continent, it had been referred to as New Holland or New South Wales.
The exploration of outback was completed by the end of the 19th century. The discoveries of mineral resources have stimulated development in many parts of the country and made Australia an important source of raw materials in the world.
In 1901 the separate colonies in Australia merged together and became the States of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Australia took part in World War I and in World War II.
VOCABULARY
due to ['dju:tu] — завдяки
to inhabit [ɪn'hæbɪt] — заселяти
possession [pə'zeʃ(ə)n] — володіння
crown [kraun] — корона
to accept [ək'sept] — визнавати
to refer [rɪ'fə:] to — посилатися на
outback ['autbæk] — австрал. малонаселений, необжитий район
to merge [mə:dʒ] — з'єднуватися; поглинати
QUESTIONS
1. Why was Australia the last continent to be inhabited by the white man?
2. When did the first landing by Europeans take place?
3. What did James Cook do?
4. What were the other names of Australia?
5. What happened in 1901?
AUSTRALIA. POLITICAL SYSTEM
Australia is now an industrialized state. The Commonwealth of Australia is composed of six states and two territories: the State of New South Wales with its capital in Sydney, the State of Victoria with itscapital in Melbourne, the State of South Australia with its capital in Adelaide, the State of Queensland with its capital in Brisbane, the State of Western Australia with its capital in Perth, the State ofTasmania with its capital in Hobart, Australian Capital territory with its Federal Capital in Canberra, and Northern Territory with its capital in Darwin. The Commonwealth of Australia also includes some islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Though Australia is now an independent federal state, according to the Constitution the head of the state is the Monarch of Great Britain, represented by the Governor-General. His duties includeassenting tobills, opening, proroguing and dissolving Parliament and commissioning the Prime Minister to form a government. Each of the six states has a Governor who carries out duties similar to those of the Governor-General.
The highest political authority is the Parliament, which consists of a 148-member House of Representatives and a 76-member Senate. Elections to the House of Representatives are held every three years, when the whole House of Representatives is replaced. The senators are elected for six years, and one half of the Senate is replaced every three years.
The leader of the party that wins a majority in the House of Representatives automatically becomes the prime minister and appoints the Cabinet.
There are three main political parties in Australia: the Labour Party, the Liberal Party and the National Party.
Each year on January 26th Australian people celebrate Australia Day — a national holiday in memory of the landing of the British in 1788.
VOCABULARY
industrialized [ɪn'dʌstrɪəlaɪzd] — із розвиненою промисловістю
to be composed [kəm'pəuzd] of — складатися з
to represent [,reprɪ'zent] — представляти, репрезентувати
to assent to [ə'sent] — погоджуватися з будь-чим, санкціонувати
to prorogue [prə'roug] — призначати перерву в роботі парламенту
to dissolve [dɪ'zɔlv] — розпускати, припиняти діяльність
to commission [kə'mɪʃ(ə)n] — призначати на посаду
authority [ɔ:'θɔrɪtɪ] — влада
to replace [rɪ'pleɪs] — заміняти
to win a majority [mə'dʒɔrɪtɪ] — завоювати більшість
to appoint [ə'pɔɪnt] — призначати
QUESTIONS
1. What is Australia composed of?
2. What are the capitals of each state?
3. What is the capital of Australia?
4. Who is the head of the state? Who is he represented by?
5. What are the duties of the Governor-General?
6. What does the Parliament consist of?
7. How often are the elections to the Parliament held?
8. Who becomes the prime minister?
9. What are the main political parties in Australia?
10. When do Australian people celebrate Australia Day?
TASK
Complete the text to receive the story about any country you like (e.g. Ukraine, the USA, the UK, Australia, etc).
........ is a........ in......... The countryside is........ in the
north and........ in the south. Tlie country's economy is based
on......... The best-known river in........ is......... The most
famous chain of mountains is........and. the highest mountain in
that chain is................. is a major environmental problem
in........ today......... is rich in......... The main city of........
........stands on the bank of the one of the world's........rivers.
One of the city's big attractions is......... The city enjoys.........
One can visit the main places of interest:.................
SYDNEY
Sydney, say the "Sydneysiders", is the most beautiful city on earth. You can't believe everything they say, but it's hard to disagree. Sydney lies in beautiful hills beside one of the best harbours in the world near 60 kilometres of wonderful beaches. It has a perfect Mediterranean climate, fresh sea air and exciting people from all over the world. In fact, a quarter of Sydney's population weren't even born in Australia.
Sydney is Australia's oldest city. Captain Cook stopped near here at Botany Bay in 1770. The first Europeans who came to Australia put up their tents at Sydney Cove. Soon the first houses were built, and in only 200 years the city turned into a megapolis for 3,5 million people.
Sydney is the most modern place in Australia. Its buildings are the highest, its fashions are the newest and its colours are the brightest. A lot of Australia's exciting cultural life is found in Sydney. Artists, writers, opera singers and film makers all live here. So some people call the city "the Paris of the Pacific". But that doesn't seem quite right. Paris hasn't got all that sea, sand, sun and surf.
Sydneysiders, as well as many visitors to Australia, come to Bondi Beach to relax and take a rest. Some of them really relax. Others are too busy — they're jogging, swimming or riding the great waves on their surfboards.
Paddington is an area of beautiful houses one hundred years old near the centre of Sydney. The Australians call it "Paddo". For a long time, Paddington was unfashionable, and the houses looked old and dirty. Now it is fashionable again, and the houses have been painted and repaired. "Paddo" is a good place to live in. There's only one problem. The houses are very expensive.
Australian cities have the same problems as other cities of the world. There are poor people, homeless people, people with drinking problems, and people with no hope. There are many families with only one parent, and it is very difficult for some young people to find a job. The problems are big ones, but at leastthe cities are small. Sydney, the largest city, has only 3,5 million people.
VOCABULARY
harbour ['ha:bə] — гавань
Mediterranean [,medɪtə'reɪnjən] — середземноморський
bay [beɪ] — бухта, залив
cove [kəuv] — бухточка
to jog [dʒɔg] — спорт, бігати підтюпцем
at least [li:st] — принаймні; щонайменше
QUESTIONS
1. Do you agree that Sydney is the most beautiful city on eaith? Why?
2. What is Australia's oldest city? Prove this.
3. What is the most modern place in Australia? How can you prove this fact?
4. Why do Sydneysiders, as well as many visitors to Australia, come to Bondi Beach?
5. What is Paddington?
6. What is the population of Sydney?
