Hanoi University | English Department
Cultures of English Speaking Countries – Lesson 7
AUSTRALIA
Instructor: Pham Phuong Anh M.A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 02
OVERVIEW & LOCATION STATES & TERRITORIES
03 04
GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE SYMBOLS & ICONS
05
CULTURAL VALUES
01
OVERVIEW & LOCATION
Is Australia a continent or an island?
Ø Australia is a continent, a country and an island at the same time.
1. Asia
2. Africa
3. North America
4. South America
5. Antarctica
6. Europe
7.Australia
Nickname: The Last Land or the Land Down Under
Australia is …
• situated to the south of Asia; between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans;
• located in the southern hemisphere;
AUSTRALIA’S NEIGHBORS
• Papua New Guinea
• Indonesia
• New Zealand
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)
• Pacific Island Nations
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia
• an independent country/community (democratic republic)
Commonwealth • a group of people or states united by shared values, goals,
or interests
Commonwealth of Nations: voluntary
association of 54 independent countries
(formerly part of British Empire)
Commonweath of Australia: independent
but still linked to their British colonial past
The flag of Australia:
• The small Union Jack represents the historical link with Britain.
• The large seven-pointed Commonwealth star represents the six States
and Northern Territory.
• The small stars in the form of Southern Cross constellation.
02
STATES & TERRITORIES
6 States
10 Territories
3 internal territories:
• the Australian Capital Territory
• the Jervis Bay Territory
• the Northern Territory
7 external territories
• Ashmore and Cartier Islands
• the Australian Antarctic Territory
• Christmas Island
• the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• the Coral Sea Islands
• Heard Island and McDonald Islands
• Norfolk Island
6 STATES The distinction between states and territories
• origins
1. New South Wales • governance structures
2. Victoria • autonomy level
3. Queensland
ü originally separate British colonies
4. South Australia
ü have more autonomy compared to territories
5. Western Australia ü own government & government
6. Tasmania ü make laws on a wide range of issues
• the Australian Capital Territory
• the Northern Territory
3 INTERNAL TERRITORIES
• the Jervis Bay Territory
Self-governing territories: The Australian Capital Territory and The Northern Territory
Non-self-governing territories: the others
Self-governing territories:
• created later for specific purposes
The Australian Capital Territory: created to serve as the home of Australia’s national capital,
Canberra.
The Northen Territory: previously under the administration of South Australia. The vast
distances created administrative difficulties. In 1991, the control of the territory was
transferred to the federal government.
• under direct control of the federal government: not have the same constitutional status
as a state and the federal government can intervene.
Jervis Bay Territory
• located on the southestern coast of Australia
• originally part of the Australian Capital Territory
• created in 1915 to provide the landlocked ACT with access to the sea.
• under direct administration of Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development, Communications and the Arts of the federal government.
• 65.7 square kilometers with a small population
• use the ACT laws and be part of the ACT electorate for federal elections
1. What is the capital city of Australia? 4. What is the capital city of Queensland?
•A) Sydney •A) Adelaide
•B) Melbourne •B) Perth
•C) Canberra •C) Darwin
•D) Brisbane •D) Brisbane
2. Which Australian city is known for its iconic Opera 5. Which city is the largest in Western Australia?
House and Harbour Bridge? •A) Sydney
•A) Perth •B) Adelaide
•B) Sydney •C) Perth
•C) Adelaide •D) Darwin
•D) Darwin 6. Which city is known for hosting the Australian
3. Which city is the capital of the state of Victoria? Open tennis tournament?
•A) Brisbane •A) Sydney
•B) Canberra •B) Melbourne
•C) Melbourne •C) Brisbane
•D) Hobart •D) Perth
03
GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE
• equatorial: high humidity, frequent rainfall, wet
and dry seasons
• tropical: warm temperatures year-round, wet
and dry seasons
• subtropical: warmer than temperate, cooler
than tropical regions, more distinction seasons
(hot, humid summers and mild or cold winter)
• desert: minimal and irregular rainfall, hot and
arid
• grassland: moderate rainfall, cold winters and
hot summers in temperate regions, and warmer
temperatures year-round in tropical ones
• temperate: distinct seasons (4 seasons),
moderate rainfall
Narrow coastal plains along the eastern,
southeastern and southwestern coasts
The OUTBACK - The vast, remote,
and arid interior of Australia
wetland and rainforests
lighter forests and plains
grasslands and flat stretch
of semi-arid terrain
abundance of trees and plants
SEASONS IN AUSTRALIA
• Northern Australia: rainy season and dry season
• Southern Australia: 4 seasons
Seasons Months Temperature
Summer December, January, February 15-35 C
Autumn March, April, May 10-25 C
Winter June, July, August 0-15C
Spring September, October, November 10-25C
VIVONNE BAY BEACH WINEGLASS BAY
Kangaroo Island, South Australia Tasmania
WHITEHAVEN BEACH BONDI BEACH
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland Sydney, New South Wales
Koala Emu Uluru
Kangaroo Kookaburras The Great Barrier Reef
Platypus Echidna
Ø The only egg-laying mammals on Earth are founded in Australia.
Other facts
• Land area: 7,686,850 km²
• Population (2023 est.): 26,047,800
• Languages: English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%,
Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2006 Census) – No official language.
• Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%,
Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census)
04
SYMBOLS & ICONS
TheAustralia's
coat of coat
arms
of of Australia
arms – the
– the official official
emblem of theemblem of the Australian
Australian Government Government
– was granted by George V –
in 1912. It has a kangaroo and an emu; wattle blossoms; a shield with coats of arms of the six states;
wasand
granted
a star forby
the George V in 1912
Commonwealth.
Australia Day is the official national day of
Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January,
the date commemorates the arrival of the First
Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the
proclamation at that time of British sovereignty
over the eastern seaboard of Australia.
Australia's coat of arms – the official emblem of the Australian Government – was granted by George V
in 1912. It has a kangaroo and an emu; wattle blossoms; a shield with coats of arms of the six states;
and a star for the Commonwealth.
Australia's coat of arms – the official emblem of the Australian Government – was granted by George V
in 1912. It has a kangaroo and an emu; wattle blossoms; a shield with coats of arms of the six states;
and a star for the Commonwealth.
Australia's coat of arms – the official emblem of the Australian Government – was granted by George V
in 1912. It has a kangaroo and an emu; wattle blossoms; a shield with coats of arms of the six states;
and a star for the Commonwealth.
Australia's coat of arms – the official emblem of the Australian Government – was granted by George V
in 1912. It has a kangaroo and an emu; wattle blossoms; a shield with coats of arms of the six states;
and a star for the Commonwealth.
05
CULTURAL VALUES
AUSTRALIAN CORE VALUES
• Respect for the freedom and dignity of
the individual
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of association
• Rule of Law
• A ‘fair go’ for all
• Mateship
A ‘fair go’ for all Mateship
• Everyone deserves an equal opportunity • strong bonds of friendship and support
to succeed. among individuals
• All individuals should be treated justly. • loyalty in personal relationships and in
Ø Social policies and programs to reduce broader social contexts
inequality and support disadvantaged • equality among friends
Ø The value encourages Australians to
groups
unite and support each other in times
of adversity.
