Emblems
|
Floral:
Golden Wattle
|
Faunal:
Red Kangaroo
(Macropus rufus)
|
Songs
|
Official National Anthem:
Advance Australia Fair
|
Unofficial Song:
Waltzing Matilda
|
National Symbol
|
The Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
Includes the symbols of the 6 states under a 7 pointed star.
It is supported by the
Emu
and the
Kangaroo,
chosen, it is said,
because they can't go backwards.
|
Capital
|
Canberra
|
States (6)
|
New South Wales,
Queensland,
South Australia,
Tasmania,
Victoria
and
Western Australia
|
Territories (2)
|
Australian Capital Territory
and
Northern Territory
|
Dependent Areas
|
Ashmore and Cartier Islands,
Christmas Island,
Cocos (Keeling) Islands,
Coral Sea Islands,
Heard Island and McDonald Islands,
Norfolk Island
|
National Holiday
|
Official:
Australia Day,
26 January (1788)
|
Other:
Wattle Day,
September 1
|
National Colours
|
Green
and
Gold
(Colors of the
Golden Wattle)
|
Chief of State
|
Queen Elizabeth II
(since 6 February 1952)
|
Head of Government
|
Prime Minister John Winston Howard
(since 11 March 1996)
|
Currency
|
Australian Dollar.
|
Major Cities
|
Sydney,
Melbourne,
Brisbane,
Perth
and
Adelaide.
|
Notable City
|
Alice Springs
was built to support a telegraph station but it now a prime
tourist attraction in heart of The Outback.
|
Geographic Extremes
|
Highest point:
Mount Kosciuszko (Kosciusko)
2,229 m.    
Lowest point:
Lake Eyre
-15 m. (Salt)
|
Geographic Wonder
|
The
Great Barrier Reef
is the largest coral reef in the world and is one of
The Seven Wonders of the Natural World
|
Famous Landmark
|
Ayers Rock
(Mount Uluru) is a famous monolith in the Northern Territories.
|
Major Lakes
|
Eyre (Salt, 9500km2),
Mackay (Fresh, 3494km2)
|
Major Rivers
|
Murray River.
Principal tributaries are the
Darling,
Murrumbidgee,
Mitta Mitta,
Ovens,
Goulburn,
Campaspe
and
Loddon
rivers.
The
Darling River
is the longest member of the
Murray River system.
|
Major Deserts
|
Great Victoria,
Great Sandy
and
Gibson
deserts are collectively called
The Outback.
|