Australia - Uluru

Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere, it is both the world’s smallest continent and the world’s largest island, covering an area of 7687 000 km2 and surrounded by the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Known to be the driest inhabited continent, it is also the flattest with the majority of the interior desert or semi arid land. With the lowest population density of 2.8 inhabitants per square kilometer the majority of the population live along the coastline where the climate is temperate but significantly influenced by ocean currents which bring periodic drought and tropical low pressure systems producing cyclones. Its highest peak at 2228 meters is Mount Kosciuszko in the Great Dividing Range, while the lowest area at only 12 meters above sea level is Lake Eyre.  While Australia can be characterized as a continent with a hot and dry climate, there are wonderful alpine heaths and tropical rainforests. The landscape is dominated by deserts, and semi-deserts, dry grassy steppes and bushy formations. The north of the continent is famous for its eternally green forests and the South-Eastern parts are home to the Acacia and Eucalyptus trees where lives the koala bears. Australia was separated from the other continents millions of years ago and this isolation produces unique ecosystems and species found only in Australia such as kangaroos, koalas, Platypus, Short-beaked Echidna, Casuariidae, Common Wombat and the Emu.

On the 26^th of January is an anniversary of the first settlement at Port Jackson (Sydney) in 1788. It is a public holiday celebrated with pride in typical Australian fashion, usually a BBQ and a day at the beach. Australia is a perfect destination to visit all year round.  It attracts tourists not only for its unique and unspoiled nature; it has over 500 National Parks that protect the natural beauty of the country. Australia is also home to the  indigenous Aborigines who have lived harmony with nature for thousands of years and did not adapt well to European settlement.

The coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific Ocean make up the Oceania Region.  The complex of islands is divided into Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and New Zealand. The Oceania Region of islands offer spectacular sunsets, white sandy beaches and lazy days in the sun where time seems to stop.



Gallery - Monuments of Australia