Australian
Geography
Standards:
SS6G12 The student will be able to locate selected
features of Australia.
a. Locate on a world and regional politicalphysical 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.
Great Barrier Reef and the
Coral Sea
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The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef.
Coral reefs are made up of living organisms.
They exist in the ocean.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches over an area of almost
133,000 square miles.
It is so vast that it 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.
Great Victorian Desert
The
Great Victorian Desert
is in southern Australia.
It is vast, barren region with
many small lakes and
grasslands.
Ayers Rock
Ayers
Rock is a giant sandstone rock
formation.
It lies in central Australia.
Ayers Rock 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
 Australia’s
geography impacts trade.
 Because of its dry terrain and vast wilderness
areas. Australia has historically had to import
many of the agricultural products that it needs.
 International trade has long been a critical part
of Australia’s survival.
 Since Australia is an island nation, it has to import
most manufactured goods.
Trade and Resources
Continued
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Over the centuries, most Australians settled along the
continents coast.
These settlements served as important harbors and
some of them grew into bustling cities.
Towns also grew up further inland along Australia’s
rivers.
They provide the continent with what fertile land it has.
Australia's rivers allow travel and permit inland farmers
and businesses to ship products to the coast.
Few Australian’s live in the Outback or other regions
that offer very little water or access to trade.
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
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Australia was 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 who follow a religion claim to be
Christian.
British missionaries introduced Christianity in the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
Aboriginal Culture
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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.
Many of the societies exist in the Outback, where the
harsh climate and geography discourages Europeans
from interfering with the native peoples’ 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 1
The largest living organism in the world is
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Aborigines
Ayers Rock
The Great Barrier Reef
Found in the Outback
Question 2
Malcolm lives in a heavily populated city.
There is a good chance Malcolm lives in
A.
B.
C.
D.
The Great Victorian Desert
Southeast Australia
The Outback
Northwest Australia