Australian Geography

Standards:

SS6G12 The student will be able to locate selected features of Australia.a. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Ayers Rock, and Great Victoria Desert.

SS6G13 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Australia.a. Describe how Australia’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live.b. Describe how Australia’s location, climate, and natural resources impact trade.

SS6G14 The student will describe the cultural characteristics of people who live in Australia.a. Explain the impact of English colonization on the language and religion of Australia.b. Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living.

The Outback

Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef.

stretches over an area of almost 133,000 square miles.

can be seen from outer space. As the world’s largest living organism, the Great

Barrier Reef has been labeled as one of the seven wonders of the world.

It lies in the Coral Sea, off the northeast coast of Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef from Space

Great Victorian Desertin southern

Australia.It is vast,

barren region with many small lakes and grasslands.

Ayers Rock a giant sandstone

rock formation. lies in central

Australia. has many

waterholes, caves, and springs.

The Aborigines believe Ayers Rock is sacred.

The Outback Much of Australia is covered by the Australian

Outback. It is a dry region that covers most of Australia’s

interior. Temperatures in the Outback can be very hot. There is very little rain. Most of the soil is not good for farming. Harsh conditions and the lack of fertile farmland

mean that very few people live in the Outback.

Population Most Australians live in cities along Australia’s

southeast coast. This is largely because of the mild, temperate

climate the region offers. Due to rich mineral deposits, portions of

northwest Australia are home to mining communities.

Miners rely on these natural resources for income. The interior of the continent is dominated by the

Outback.

Trade and Resources Geography impacts trade. Imports most agricultural and manufactured

goods International trade has long been a critical part

of Australia’s survival.

Trade and Resources Continued

most Australians settled along the coast. Settlements became important harbors Towns also grew up further inland along

Australia’s rivers. They provide the continent with what fertile land it

has. They allow travel and permit inland farmers and

businesses to ship products to the coast. Few Australian’s live in the Outback

Australia's Culture Australia’s culture is very much like that of

Western Europe or the United States. Many of the fashions, products, musical styles,

movies, businesses, and leisure activities that exist throughout the western world can be found in Australia.

British Culture once a British colony. British culture has greatly shaped the modern

culture of Australia. English is the official language. The government is modeled after the United

Kingdom. The king or queen of the United Kingdom still has

symbolic role. Most Australians claim to be Christian.

Introduced in the 18th and 19th centuries by British Missionaries.

Aboriginal Culture Aboriginal cultures still exist in Australia. Aborigines are native Australians whose ancestors

lived on the continent before Europeans arrived. Many Aboriginal citizens have adopted western

customs (fashion, work in urban areas, go to universities, and have similar lifestyles)

Other Aborigines live a more traditional existence. Live in the Outback, where the harsh climate and

geography discourages Europeans from interfering with their way of life.

Literacy Australia’s literacy rate is very high. Most Australians are well educated. The literacy rate is lower among Aborigines. Due to years of discrimination, there are still

problems in the Aboriginal community, such as poverty, high rates of alcoholism, and lack of education.

POP QUIZ

Question 1The largest living organism in the world is

A.The AboriginesB.Ayers RockC.The Great Barrier ReefD.Found in the Outback

Question 2Malcolm lives in a heavily populated city. There is a good chance Malcolm lives in

A.The Great Victorian DesertB.Southeast AustraliaC.The OutbackD.Northwest Australia