The commonwealth of Australia (Содружество Австралии)

The Commonwealth of Australia is a capitalist self-governing federal state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is situated in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean, occupying the continent of Australia and a number of islands, of which Tasmania is the most important.

The discovery of Australia is connected with the name of James Cook. And first, it was a British colony.

Australia is a continent-island washed in the west by the Indian Ocean and in the east by the Pacific Ocean.

Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere, so it has winter when we have summer in the northern hemisphere, and summer when we have winter. Summer is from December to February; autumn (fall) March to May; winter – June to August; and spring – September to November. For most of the country the hottest month is January.

Two-thirds of Australia, mostly in the centre and the west, is desert. There are hills and big dry salt lakes, and it is very difficult to grow anything. Not many people live there.

The south-east and south-west corners have a temperate climate and moderately fertile soil. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, varied between tropical rainforests.

The Commonwealth of Australia, which has an area of 2,965,000 square miles, includes six states and two territories.

The federal capital of the country is Canberra.

The official language is English.

The largest cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

The form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II.

The Commonwealth Parliament consists of two separate chambers:

• the House of Representatives (or 'the lower house')

• the Senate (or 'the upper house')

Australia's national gemstone is the opal, a stone famous across the world for its

brilliant colours.

Australia's national floral emblem is the golden wattle.

The national colours are green and gold.

The Australian National Flag is one of the most important symbols of Australia.

The Australian National Flag has three elements on a blue background: the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross.

The Union Jack in the upper left corner acknowledges the history of British settlement. Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth or Federation star. It has seven points representing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Southern Cross is taking up the right half of the flag.

The Australian Coat of Arms consists of the badges of the six States of the Commonwealth.

The Crest of the Arms consists of a seven-pointed gold star. Six points represent each of the States of the Commonwealth; the seventh point represents the Commonwealth Territories.

The Supporters of the Coat of Arms are two native Australian animals – the Kangaroo (on the left) and the Emu (on the right).

Usually the arms are depicted on a background of sprays of golden wattle with a scroll beneath it containing the word ‘Australia’.