Australia1
Australia is the only country that is also a continent. In area, Australia ranks as the sixth largest country and smallest continent. Australia is located between the South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. The part of the Indian Ocean that is south of Australia is called the Southern Ocean in the country. Australia is about 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers) southwest of North America and about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) southeast of mainland Asia. Australia is often referred to as being "down under" because it lies entirely within the Southern Hemisphere. The name Australia comes from the Latin word australis, which means southern. The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia is a dry, thinly populated land. Only a few areas along or near the coasts receive enough rainfall to support a large population. The southeastern coastal region has the most people by far. Australia's two largest cities--Sydney and Melbourne--lie in this region. Canberra, the national capital, lies only a short distance inland. The huge interior of Australia is mostly desert or dry grassland and has few settlements. The country as a whole averages only six persons per square mile (two persons per square
Today, Australia trades most with Japan and the United States. But the federal government collects nearly all the nation's taxes. The federal government of Australia is officially headed by a governor general, who represents the queen. Australia is famous for its vast open spaces, bright sunshine, enormous numbers of sheep and cattle, and unusual wildlife. Elections for the House must be held at least every three years. Each territory is responsible for its own administration, the first step toward statehood. The Australian Constitution gives certain powers to the federal government and leaves all other government powers to the states. Senators are elected to six-year terms, and representatives to three-year terms. The federal Parliament has an upper and a lower house. Each Australian state has its own parliament, court system, head of government, and governor. Kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, and wombats are only a few of the many unusual animals that live in Australia. However, the queen has little or no power in the Australian government. The nation is administered under a written constitution. Tea is the favorite hot drink in Australia, as it is in Britain.
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