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General Information:
Australia can be termed as the smallest continent or the largest island, Thus the diversity of its nature can be seen everywhere. Be it the unique flora and fauna and the beautiful weather or the diverse cultures culminating into a burst of colour and excitement, Australia has something special stored away for everyone.
Geography
Australia is divided into 06 states and 02 territories and it is spread across three time zones. It is one of the most urbanized country of the world and 70 percent of it's population stays in 10 of it's largest cities. With a land area similar in size to continental USA ( excluding Alaska ) and a population of about 19 million people Australia offers the great feeling of space and a sense of freedom which is unmatched. Along with this is the attraction of a clean and safe environment to spend a very refreshing, rejuvenating and a never before experienced vacation with family and friends. Australia is a land offering the excitement of discovery at every step. The friendly people, unique culture and fabulous attractions; which range from the aquamarine waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the changing colours of Ayers Rock and from the Sydney Opera House to the Big Pineapple at the Sunshine Plantation of Queensland; all beckon the traveller.
Economy
The two dominant elements of Australian economy are mining and agriculture. Both are equally productive and lucrative, thanks to an abundance of raw material, natural resources and multitudes of sheep that make Australia the world's largest supplier of wool. Tourism is also a major source of national income. The manufacturing sector has long been the Australian economy's weak link and successive governments have protected/subsidised the industry even during economic slumps. As a result, most Australians find employment in the manufacturing sector.
Religion
In Australia, 58% all Australians are Christians and more than half of them are Roman Catholic. Census figures show that 20% of all Australians are atheists. Apart from these there are several other religions minorities - Buddhist (1.13%), Jewish (0.45%), Muslim (1.13%).
Languages
The main languages used in Australia are English, German, Italian, Greek and many aboriginal dialects. There are 240 languages spoken in Australia apart from English and 50 of them are indigenous. 15% of households in Australia speak a language other than English. Before the arrival of the Europeans, there were more than 250 native languages. Today, only about 30 are regularly spoken and taught in community schools.
Food
Though there isn’t a purely Australian cuisine, Australia makes up for it in the range and variety of gastronomic pleasures it has assimilated along with its immigrant population. European immigrants from Italy, Germany, Greece and Yugoslavia brought their own cuisine with them as did Asian immigrant populations like the Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Lebanese. Add to these the cooking styles of the Polynesian and Melanesian communities and you have what qualifies as Pacific Rim and pan- Australian cuisine. Indigenous food includes such delights as kangaroo and crocodile steaks and burgers, Wichita bugs, emu paté and wattle seed ice cream. Highlights of an Aussie trip could be fresh barramundi or seafood and the famous Australian bar-be-que.
What to Bring
Casual wear does just fine for most places in Australia. So keep the clothes informal unless on a business trip. For the summer months from October to April, pack in lightweight clothes and always carry a hat and sunscreen with a high SPF in Australia, as the sun and UV radiation can get very intense. For the coast, an umbrella or raincoat is a sensible item to carry along and for inland and mountainous regions, you’ll need a lightweight sweater or coat. Winter months require heavier warm clothes and inland areas can get really cold.
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