GEOGRAPHY OF AUSTRALIA

1. SS6G12 The student will be able to locate selected features of Australia. SS6G13 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Australia. SS6G14 The student will describe the cultural characteristics of people who live in Australia. GEOGRAPHY OF AUSTRALIA

2. ELEMENTS • Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Ayers Rock, and Great Victoria Desert • Describe how Australia’s location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live • Describe how Australia’s location, climate, and natural resources impact trade • Explain the impact of English colonization on the language and religion of Australia • Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living

3. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS • What are the major physical features of Australia, and where are they located on a map (Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Ayers Rock, and Great Victoria Desert)? • How does the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural resources affect where Australians choose to live and work? • How do the factors of location, climate, access to water, and natural resources affect trade? • What is the impact of English colonization on the language and religion of Australia? • What is the relationship between literacy rate and standard of living?

4. THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF AUSTRALIA • Australia is located in the Pacific part of the world, south of Asia and between the Indian and Pacific Oceans • It is the only continent in the world that is also a country, and it is the smallest continent in the world • Some of Australia’s major physical features include • Bodies of Water • Great Barrier Reef • Coral Sea • Landforms • Ayers Rock • Great Victoria Desert

5. STATES OF AUSTRALIA • Politically, Australia is broken down into six states • Queensland • New South Wales • Victoria • South Australia • Northern Territory • Western Australia • The capital city of Australia is Canberra, located in the southeast part of the country

6. MAP OF AUSTRALIA

7. THE CLIMATE, LOCATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF AUSTRALIA • Climate • Australia’s climate is temperate, meaning it has mild temperatures. • Along the coast the climate is warm and cool, while in the middle the climate is cool and dry • Location • Except for Perth, most of Australia’s large cities are along the coast • Most of the population lives along the coast, while some natives live in the desert areas • The desert area is commonly referred to as The Outback • Natural Resources • The coastline of Australia is rich with natural resources • Uranium, natural gas, zinc, coal, gold and iron ore are important natural resources • Sheep used for wool are also found in Australia’s interior

8. TRADE IN AUSTRALIA • Australia’s main trade partners are China, Japan, South Korea and India • The U.S. also trades with Australia • Imports to Australia include computers, machinery, petroleum and oil • Australia exports gold, iron ore and coal mainly

9. THE CULTURE OF AUSTRALIA • Most of the population of Australia is of British descent, due to the English colonizing Australia in the 1700s • Most Australians speak English, mixed with an accent • The main religion of Australia is Christianity • Two faiths worshipped: Anglican and Catholic • The Native American group in Australia is called Aborigine • There are about 2% of the Aborigine population in Australia

10. STANDARD OF LIVING AND LITERACY RATE IN AUSTRALIA LITERACY RATE STANDARD OF LIVING Due to a high literacy rate, Australia’s standard of living is very high Most citizens earn good incomes and have stable jobs and careers • Australia’s literacy rate is one of the highest in the world • 99% of citizens can read and write • Australia’s schools are very important to the country • Australia is adding bigger and better universities and training schools