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. |
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Major Deserts | Great Victoria, Great Sandy and Gibson deserts are collectively called The Outback. |