In each of Australia’s six states, there is a large city which is near the river and near the sea. 60% of all Australians live in these six cities and many others live near to them.
Australia’s biggest city, Sydney has approximately 4.4 million people and is built around one of the world’s most spectacular natural harbours. It was the site of Captain James Cook’s original landing in Australia, and the place where the first European settlement was established in 1788. Sydney was named after Lord Sydney, who was British Home Secretary when the city was founded. It is a busy, modern city and its high-rise buildings are the center for much of Australian business. Sydney also boasts its distinctive Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks area, and excellent beaches and national parks. The harbour divides the city into northern and southern halves, with Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel joining the two shores.
Melbourne, the capital of state Victoria, is the second largest city. It was the capital of Australia from 1901 to 1927. Traditionally, it is a conservative city of elaborate Victorian era buildings, parks and gardens, and tree-lined boulevards. Melbourne today is a multicultural city, passionate about arts, food, wine and sport – particularly Australian Rules football. Melbourne’s trams have become a celebrated tourist attraction and a popular means of transport to and from work for locals.
National Holidays. Australia’s National Day is held on 26th January in recognition of the arrival in 1788 of the First Fleet, a group of 11 ships that sailed from England to establish a colony in Australia.
The Anzac Day Act 1995 declares the 25th of April as a national day of commemoration in recognition and commemoration of the contribution of all those who have served Australia (including those who died) in time of war and in war-like conflicts. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and was first used when Australian and New Zealand soldiers were grouped in Egypt, prior to their landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The word ‘Anzac’ is protected and cannot be used without the authority of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
In Australia, New Year’s Day celebrations commence in most capital cities on 31st December, with festivities and fireworks at midnight to welcome in the New Year.
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and in Christianity commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death. In Australia, Good Friday is celebrated on the first Friday after the full moon on or after 21st March.
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday.
Christmas Day, is a Christian celebration in commemoration of the birth of Jesus. When Christmas Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is declared a public holiday.
The origins of Boxing Day are believed to be British, and relate to the practice of the wealthy giving gifts of money, food or goods to the poor. Traditionally, when Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the following Monday is declared a public holiday.
Australia’s official language is English. Australians speak the same English across the nation — there are no regional dialects and only minor idiomatic and semantic variations between the States. Australians understand each other as easily as they understand a person from another country who speaks English. Australian English does not differ much from other forms of English, although some colloquial and slang expressions are unique. There are many native languages which the Aborigines and Torres Strait people speak. One in every seven Australians older than five years speaks a language other than English at home. The most common languages are Italian, Greek, Chinese, German, Arabic, Spanish.
National Symbols. Australian national flag consists of five white stars of the Southern Cross and the white Commonwealth star (the large seven pointed star) on a blue background with a Union Jack on the top left. The Southern Cross is the southern constellation Crux, whose four chief stars are in the form of a cross.
The
flag of Australia is the only one to fly over a whole continent. The
small Union Jack represents the historical link with Britain, the
large seven-pointed star represents the six states and the
territories, and the small stars form the Southern Cross — a
prominent feature of the southern hemisphere night sky.
A distinctive Australia flora and fauna is reflected in the country’s coat-of-arms by the symbols of Australia’s endemic animals; kangaroo and emu and a twig of wattle. Australia’s official name is the Commonwealth of Australia. The form of government used in Australia is a constitutional monarchy. The powers and procedures of the Australian Government are defined by a written constitution, but Australia’s head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 when six independent British colonies agreed to join together and become states of a new nation. The rules of government for this new nation were enshrined in the Australian Constitution.
The Australian Constitution is the most important document in Australian government history. It established the Commonwealth Government (now known as the Australian Government), defined its structure, powers and procedures, and defined the rights and obligations of the states in relation to the Commonwealth.
Under the Constitution, the reigning British monarch is also the Australian monarch, and therefore Australia’s head of state. The Constitution grants the monarch — currently Queen Elizabeth II — certain governing powers that place them above all other levels of the government. Because of the large distance between Australia and Britain, the monarch is permitted to appoint a Governor-General who can exercise the monarch’s powers in their absence.
Although the six states joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Government, they still each retain the power to make their own laws. State governments also have their own constitutions, as well as a structure of legislature, executive and judiciary.