What is Australia? you're about to find out
Australia is wild, historic, famous, and beautiful. Australia is really not only a country, but an identity, a symbol, an idea of how far civilization has come and where it's going.
From the Beginning
We have to have a starting point for this amazing country, and I figured we'll start around 50,000 years ago when the first people set foot on this continent. They were dark skinned and believed to be related to people's from southern India and Sri Lanka, but around 1,000 years ago, a more Polynesian population settled on the islands of the Torres Strait. The natives that developed here were nomadic, didn't wear much clothing (besides sandals) and developed many different tribes and languages. Strangely, most tribes shared the religious belief that spirits shaped the Earth around them and that they would leave behind traces of themselves being there, such as the Uluru. These people also sang, danced, played music, and wore body paint. These aboriginal peoples were masters of language, almost all of them could speak 3 fluent languages. In fact, here's some now.
(Tell short story from video and background info)
The Dutch found "New Holland" after hearing Rumors of a great Southern Continent, but were uninticed to settle much of the land. James cook claimed the land for Queen and Country in 1770 and shortly after, England needed its overcrowded prisons to thin out. And so, on January 26, 1788, the first boat of convicts from England landed in Australia; this day is now celebrated as Australia Day. Many convicts stayed for a new start, though agriculture didn't do well. The discovery of the Merino sheep transformed the country. Australia attracted sailors, miners, fortune seekers, and emmigrants from the Isles. As the colonials expanded, many Aboriginals Died from disease and violence. Those who survived were very isolated or discriminated against.
20th Century Comes up
Australia divided into 6 states and peacefully gained independence from England on January 1, 1901, even getting support for independence from England. Australia had a very democratic government with women being able to vote from the beginning, although Aboriginals had to wait until 1967. World War 1 saw AUS industrial side kick up with many Aussie's fighting side by side with England. Australia became US allies in WWII and signed the mutual Defense Pact ANZUS in '51. They've fought with us in the Middle East. AUS also opened its doors to immigrants after the war and by 1990, 50% of all Aussie's were 1st or 2nd gen immigrants. Aboriginals were now seeing better treatment as well, with many lands being handed back to them.
The 21st century at last
Australia hosted the 2000 Olympic Games, they improved their foreign policy to help others, and a new Prime Minister, Rudd, opened with an apology to the aborigines. Rudd was forced to resign in 2010. Julia Gillard was now in charge and disasters like the flooding of the eastern states causing billions in damages and Cyclone Yasi being thrown on top of that. Gillard eventually lost to Rudd who served until 2013 when Tony Abbot became Prime Minister and doesn't have the best approval from Aussie's.
Trouble in The land down under
- One of Australia's current issues is recovering from the racism and prejudice against the aboriginal peoples. The aborigines were abused while the Australian government practiced apartheid and were neglected when it came to any policies or practices regarding their culture and way of life. The relations have been better, but there is still a dislike betweeen the people and government.
- Another problem they face is racist sentiments between the Asian immigrants and the Australian people. Tensions are starting to flare up in some areas, especially the north where most of the immigrants live.
- One last problem that Australia is facing is climate change. The country is trying to cut emissions by 26-28% by 2030, but the aggressive coal mining practices of certain businesses is interfering. If Australia doesn't do something about protecting their environment soon, along with the rest of the world, climate change will lead to droughts, floods, fires, and heat waves all resulting in human casualties. These disasters will also cost Australia more money and damage the economy. The shift from non-renewable to sustainable resources won't be easy however, with coal being Australia's #1 export.
Fast Facts on Australia
The U.S. Has a larger value to our dollar than the Aussies
Vegemite was created in Australia. It is a gelatinic vegetable and spice substance. Unique to the land down under.
The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia! Is hunted brutally as well :-(
The boomerang is unique to Australia and its aboriginal people, it isn't found anywhere else on earth.
Australia political Map.
Australian Literature
Kundera, the author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, argues that life really has no purpose being as we only have one chance at life and we can't compare the two; we can't go back to a past decision or time. The novel is set in 1968, with Thomas being our Protagaonist. Thomas is a surgeon who was married and had a son, but is now a bachelor going on various adventures. He meets a woman named Tereza who follows him to Prague and plans o marry him, but Thomas isn't sure at first. The two begin living together, with Thomas hiding his permiscuous ways with his mistresses from Teresa who has fallen in love with him. Thomas eventually confesses to Tereza, which she doesn't accept and starts to have nightmares and contemplates suicide. Thomas marries her, but doesn't give up his mistresses, especially his close friend Sabrina. Tereza and Sabrina become friendly, with Tereza resenting Thomas' ways.
Prague becomes militarily occupied and the three leave to Switzerland, with Thomas still being adulterous. Tereza eventually goes back to Prague, and Thomas follows, quickly losing his reputation because of his anti-communist political views. Thomas' son appears as an anti-communist persona and preaches to his dad, sadly to no affect. Thomas works as a window washer, seducing women. Thomas and Teresa live peacefully for a while until one night when they get into a car accident and both of them die instantly together... But the novel isn't over...
The land Down Under
Now you know all about the land down under! Take a visit sometime and discover how truly amazing this isolated country is. From the Great Barrier Reef to Uluru, from deserts to rainforests, from untamed wilderness to bustling cities, Australia is extraordinary. Cultures from all over call this place home, and what a home it is.