A Guide to Australia

Australia is an exporter of wool, wheat, meat and fruit as well as producing large amounts of bauxite and gold.

Australians place great emphasis on equality and working together. They do not boast about their wealth, preferring modesty in celebrating accomplishments. A handshake or “g’day” are generally the way Australians greet one another.

History

Europeans became aware during the 18th century that there existed an enormous continent to their north; they referred to this landmass as ‘Terra Australis Incognita’ or the “Unknown South Land”.

Artists from Europe began drawing the unique Australian flora and fauna for scientific study. Sydney Parkinson, botanical illustrator on Captain James Cook’s 1770 voyage, produced numerous drawings which met with some disdain when presented in Europe.

With calls for an intercolonial Australian army and the rising sense of national identity, New South Wales Premier Henry Parkes encouraged colonies to form a federal system of government. Loyalty to Britain remained strong;

At the close of the 19th century, Heidelberg School painters captured the unique colours and landscapes of Australia with their vibrant works, while authors like Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson wrote of both its harshness and romance. Later in the 20s, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith pioneered flying machines beyond their limits before Errol Flynn’s star turn in 1933’s In The Wake of the Bounty brought an international audience into Australian film history.

Culture

Australia is a highly developed nation, boasting one of the world’s most diverse cultures and stable and prosperous economies.

Australian culture is defined by its sense of community, good natured humor and relaxed approach to life. People here enjoy outdoor sports such as cricket, tennis, swimming, surfing and its distinct brand of Australian rules football – which has become national obsessions!

The Australian myth of the bushman has helped define national perceptions, while events like the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and an influx of migrants from Europe broadened Australia’s cultural horizons. Australians also embraced Hawaiian surf culture and American popular music during this century – with iconic figures like Australian country music star Slim Dusty and dadaist Barry Humphries offering uniquely Australian perspectives.

Languages

Australia is home to many different languages, from English to Vietnamese and everything in between. Most Australians speak only English however.

Australia’s indigenous languages are distinct, yet their relationships to one another and those spoken elsewhere remain uncertain. Their characteristics tend to differ drastically from other Australian dialects lexically and to feature complex noun class systems and an unusually large amount of non-found sounds not found elsewhere.

Australia boasts one of the highest concentrations of spoken languages worldwide, including Japanese, Vietnamese and French – but Indonesian has experienced unprecedented growth over recent years due to high immigrant numbers from this region. Nepali is also becoming increasingly prevalent here.

Religion

Religious freedoms in Australia are guaranteed, and the state owes it a duty of care in protecting them. Yet some have raised concerns that discrimination due to religion still occurs across Australia.

Australia is home to a range of religions and spiritual paths, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism – with numerous other faiths also practicing within its borders – which contribute to an eclectic religious fabric in a nation which considers itself secular.

Aboriginal Australians followed animistic beliefs, holding that all natural and manmade objects possessed spiritual significance. Their beliefs stemmed from The Dreaming – an ancestral spirit beings-inspired mythical creation period when all things were interrelated and needed a balance to remain harmonious – this philosophy could be found reflected in their practices.

Economy

Australia boasts an advanced, Western-style capitalist economy which ranks near the top of global economies in terms of per capita GDP and other measures of well-being. It possesses one of the world’s largest reserves of minerals and energy resources and exports an increasing portion of production, benefitting both terms of trade and government revenue; mining companies contribute greatly. Local councils collect taxes from households and businesses alike in order to fund roads, parks, libraries and other services provided.

Denmark ranks highest overall for economic management according to the Independent Australia Ranking and Evaluation Methodology (IAREM), while Australia and Hong Kong both made it into the world’s 20-strong rankings. Yet external uncertainty continues to weigh on household spending as tariffs and trade tensions ease off; further policy easing remains likely.