Australia
May 16, 2015
Australia
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Quick Facts• The world’s smallest, flattest, and
lowest continent• The only country that is also a
continent• Called the Land Down Under because
it lies south of the equator• Seasons are reversed from those
north of the equator. Ex. – When it is winter here it is summer in Australia
Natural Features
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Landform Regions• 3 main regions
– Eastern Highlands– Central Lowlands– Western Plateau
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Eastern Highlands• System of ridges,
plateaus, and valleys in the eastern part of Australia
• Includes The Great Dividing Range
• www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/world/48au-s/03.jpg
www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/world/48au-s/03.jpg
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Central Lowlands• Flatter and newer than the Eastern
Highlands• Include the Great Artesian Basin,
Australia’s largest source of underground water
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www.abc.net.au/reslib/200705/r147203_518814.jpg
Great Artesian Basin
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Western Plateau• Western part of Australia• Covers more than half the continent• Includes the outback, a vast area of
plains and plateaus that is largely flat and dry (Not to mention one of my favorite restaurants!)
• Also dotted with heavily eroded masses of rock that stand above the lowland. Ex. - Ayers Rock
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Outback
www.panoramio.com/photos/original/9693977.jpg
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Outback
www.abc.net.au/reslib/200710/r193532_732490.jpg
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Ayers Rock
www.thelifeofdavid.com/.../images/ayers.jpg
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The Great Barrier Reef
• Located off the northeastern coast of Australia
• The world’s largest coral reef. (Coral Reef – a structure formed by the skeletons of small sea animals)
• Most of the reef is a national park
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www.solcomhouse.com/.../GreatBarrierReef-EO.jpg
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s3media.pleasetakemeto.com/photos/Qld/Whitsun
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Climate• Australia = mainly “desert with
green edges”• 1/3 of the country is desert & 1/3 of
the country is dry steppe. These regions are located mainly in the interior or “middle” of the country
• Only the northern, eastern, & southwestern coastal areas receive plenty of rainfall
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Climate Con’t• Other climate zones include:
– Humid subtropical– Marine west coast– Mediterranean– Tropical dry
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Desert
www.adventure-tours-australia.com/simpson-des
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Plants and Animals• Endemic species – plants & animals
that developed in one particular region of the world
• Australia has many endemic species. Why?
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Plants & Animals Con’t
• Australia has been separated from other continents for millions of years. As a result, some native plants and animals are not found anywhere else in the world.
• Ex. – Kangaroos, koalas, & eucalyptus
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www.anra.gov.au/.../photos/red_kangaroo.jpg
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jpg - upload.wikimedia.org/.../2/21/Cutest_Koala.jpg
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www.findmeplants.co.uk/photos/eucalyptus_perr...