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Culture and society

Australia is truly unique — it is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent and it is also the largest island in the world. Australia’s population currently stands at approximately 23 million people, with about a quarter of the population born overseas.

Australia’s vibrant multiculturalism stems from a combination of Indigenous cultures, early European settlement and mass immigration. Australia is proud of the diversity of its people and enjoys the variety of different cultures and foods that this provides. Australia is also a secular country, meaning that there is no official religion. Each capital city has places of worship for religions from around the world. Australians value freedom, diversity, equality and peacefulness.

History

The earliest human population arrived on the Australian continent more than 40,000 years ago when Indigenous tribes migrated from an unknown region of Asia. Australia’s Indigenous people have the oldest living cultural history in the world. Indigenous communities keep their cultural heritage alive by passing their knowledge, arts, rituals and performances from one generation to another; speaking and teaching languages; protecting cultural materials; and looking after sacred and significant sites such as Uluru in the Northern Territory.

European exploration of Australia began in 1606 when a Spanish navigator sailed through the Torres Strait, which separates Australia from Papua New Guinea. Dutch, French and English explorers followed and began to map the continent. The European settlement of Australia began in 1788 when the British established a penal colony at Botany Bay, which is now Sydney, the largest city in Australia. The colony grew as free settlers and migrants arrived in Australia hoping to make a better life.

Climate

Australia’s climate varies greatly across the country. About 40 per cent of the northern part of the country lies in the tropics. Monsoon winds bring moist air during summer, and the high rainfall between December and March is called ‘the wet season’. The climate in the southern part of the country is temperate, with cool winters, hot summers and four distinct seasons. Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere, so the summer months are December, January and February, and the winter months are June, July and August. Nearly 90 per cent of the population live around Australia’s coastal edges, where ocean breezes bring the temperature down. Temperatures in the desert regions are severe and often exceed 40°C during the day in summer and fall as low as -7°C at night in winter.

Government

Australia is a democracy, and vigorous debate is a strong part of the political process. All Australians aged over 18 are required to vote in local, state and federal elections. The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy, and the formal head of state is the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II.

The leader of the Liberal Party of Australia — and Australia’s Prime Minister — is the Hon. Tony Abbott, who was elected in September 2013. The federal government governs the whole of Australia, and the Australian Constitution defines its responsibilities. Responsibilities include matters of quarantine, defence, telecommunications, taxes and welfare. You can find more information at the Australian Government website. Each state and territory government works in cooperation with the Australian Government and is responsible for matters such as police, public schools, roads and transport.

The official Australian flag was designed in 1901 when Australia’s six colonies became a federation. The Union Jack represents Australia’s links to England. The large seven-pointed star represents the states and territories. The five stars on the right represent the Southern Cross constellation, which you can see in the Australian night sky. The Indigenous Australian flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag are also officially recognised as flags of Australia.

Public holidays

There are a number of public holidays celebrated in Australia. During public holidays, workplaces and education providers typically close, but retail stores, entertainment facilities and restaurants may remain open, as well as essential services such as public transport, supermarkets and petrol stations. National public holidays in Australia include the following:

Australia Day — 26th January: This is Australia's national day, which recognises the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet, a group of ships that sailed from England to establish a colony in Australia. Festivities include citizenship ceremonies where migrants become Australian citizens, concerts and carnivals. Many Australians attend barbeques and spend time with their families, often outdoors.
Anzac Day — 25th April: Anzac Day recognises all those who have served Australia in times of war and conflict. It is celebrated on the day that Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed in Gallipoli, the site of a historic 1915 battle during the First World War that shaped Australia's identity as a nation. The day is celebrated with Anzac Day ceremonies that pay tribute to those who served in times of war and parade. Look out for delicious Anzac Day biscuits made of oats, coconut and sweet golden syrup.
New Year's Day — 1st January: Celebrations of the New Year begin on 31 December in the evening. Many people hold New Year parties or attend public festivities, including fireworks at midnight to welcome the new year.
Easter: Easter is a traditional Christian celebration marking the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in Australia and are celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike. Easter is often celebrated with religious ceremonies, the giving of Easter eggs and spending time with family, often outdoors.
Christmas Day — December 25th: Christmas Day is a traditional Christian celebration that marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians alike. Common ways to celebrate Christmas include decorating the home with Christmas lights and Christmas trees, giving gifts, attending religious ceremonies, holding a family feast consisting of roast meat and Christmas pudding (or sometimes a more informal Australian barbeque) and spending time with family. Because Christmas falls during the Australian summer, many Australians like to hold their celebrations outdoors.
Boxing Day — December 26th: Boxing Day is a traditional celebration marking the day following Christmas day. It is celebrated with a day of rest and cleaning after the festivities of Christmas day, family activities and shopping, with many retailers holding their biggest sales of the year.

Individual states and cities also celebrate their own public holidays, which may include celebrations such as Labour Day, Queen's Birthday, agricultural shows and sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup.