The Commonwealth of Australia has a population of around 21.2 million. 86 per cent of Australians are urban dwellers, and 65 per cent live in cities of more than 250,000 people - mostly on the fertile coastal plains. It is 7,682,300 square kilometres or 2,966,136 square miles.
Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors.
Visitors expecting to see an opera in Sydney one night and meet Crocodile Dundee the next will have to re-think their grasp of geography in this huge country. It is this sheer vastness that gives Australia - and its diverse population - much of its character.
Languages The official language of Australia is English (official). However Australia is a multi-cultural country, so it's not unusual to walk down a city street and hear people speaking Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Vietnamese or Arabic as their first language. Aboriginal languages are also spoken. While it's common knowledge that Australians speak English, Australia also has a unique colloquial language that can confuse visitors when they first hear it.
Currency Australian Dollar (A$). Electricity and Electric Plug Details 220-240V 50Hz. Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade .
Wide open spaces Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.
Lifestyle Over seven and a quarter million people (around 40 per cent of the entire population) live in Sydney and Melbourne. Other major cities - Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth - all have populations of about a million. Wherever they choose to live, Australian families can find the right kind of community for their lifestyle, with comfortable living standards and excellent schools, hospitals, transport and other community services.
No two cities are alike, perhaps because of their independent development due to the distances between them. Perth is 3,984 kilometres from Sydney, about the distance from London to Moscow, or Hong Kong to Jakarta. Even the two closest state capitals, Adelaide and Melbourne, are 650 kilometres apart. But efficient transport provides fast links across the nation. Travel throughout the nation is unrestricted. No check is made of people passing from one state to another.
People and Culture Australians have a love affair with sport. It is estimated that six-and-a-half million people in Australia are registered sport participants. More than one-third of Australia is in the tropics and much of the country enjoys a near-Mediterranean climate for much of the year - perfect conditions for camping, bushwalking and water sports.
The Australian love of life shows in our culture. Whether spent appreciating the arts or exploring the great outdoors, leisure time is an important aspect of Australian life. Our multicultural diversity has also influenced our culture, from Chinese New Year to the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Australians are known for their love of life and enjoyment of the great outdoors. Barbeques (BBQ’s) are a renown outdoor dining experience.
Communications Australia’s communications and media services are world class. Communications include an excellent national postal service and country-wide Internet and mobile (cell) coverage. A range of network and cable television stations and more than 1,200 magazine titles and newspapers will keep you informed Australian National Anthem download with words.
Climate With the reverse seasons of the northern hemisphere, Australia enjoys a largely temperate climate. Most of Australia receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or an amazing 70 per cent of the total possible hours.
Customs There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. If you are unsure about anything declare it to Customs upon arrival.
Quarantine Quarantine helps keep Australia’s environment unique. Food, plant and animal products from overseas could introduce destructive pests and diseases to the country. Quarantine items include fresh or packaged food, fruit, eggs, meat, vegetables, seeds, skins, feathers, wood and plants. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) screens or X-rays all luggage and uses sniffer dogs to find high-risk products. AQIS also provides bins at international airports for travellers to dispose of quarantine items. Failure to declare food, plant and animal material could result in serious fines.
Medicinal products brought into Australia are subject to strict controls and should be declared on arrival. It is advisable to have a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medical condition and the medication.
Cash and foreign currency If you bring in or take out of Australia more than $A10,000 cash or the equivalent in foreign currency (travellers cheques excluded), you must declare it to Customs. Failure to do is an offence.
Luggage inspection Luggage and hand baggage may be inspected before passengers board domestic and international flights. Also upon arrival into Australia all luggage may be inspected. You need to declare all items of a quarantine concern, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted.
Vaccinations Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from, or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days before arrival. No other health certificate is required to enter Australia.
Lifestyle The wonderful variety of Australia’s culture is reflected in its cities. Each offers its own distinct character reflected in design, arts, food and entertainment experiences. There is a city for all tastes.
About Australia 
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