Australia is known to the whole world for its unusual inhabitants – kangaroos. It would seem logical that this particular animal (along with emo) is depicted on the national coat of arms of Australia. But few people know that in fact a much deeper meaning is hidden here.
Intrigued? Believe me, Australia has a lot of things that can really interest you. Therefore, in this article, we have collected for you 14 incredible facts about Australia that everyone should know.
Before finding out the hidden meaning of the Australian coat of arms, what Australia and Uggs have in common, what is the use of plastic banknotes and who is the “Flying Doctor”, we suggest recalling some commonly known facts:
- Official name is Australia (Australia)
- The capital is Canberra
- Area — 7.6 million square meters. km
- Population — 25.74 million people (as of 2021)
- Official language is English
- Form of government is a constitutional monarchy headed by a British monarch
- The currency is the Australian dollar
Interesting facts about Australia
So, and now about the most interesting thing.
- There are more sheep than people in Australia
As of 2001, the number of sheep reached 120 million heads. But due to regular droughts and fires, their number has decreased to 100 million. Nevertheless, this is 4 times more than all Australian residents.
In addition to sheep, Australia has a large population of kangaroos and rabbits. They exceed the population by three and sixteen times, respectively.
- Voting in elections is not a right, but a duty of every Australian
Every adult Australian citizen must vote in an election. Otherwise, he will be fined.
What is interesting is that Australia became the second country in the world where women were allowed to vote in elections (1902). The first was New Zealand (1839).
- Australia’s “national symbols” cannot move backwards
Many of us can easily guess the national coat of arms of Australia, because it depicts the main symbols of the country: a kangaroo and an emu. But few people know about their meaning. The secret is that these two animals cannot move backwards, and thus Australia shows that it is only aimed at forward development.
By the way, Australians are the only ones who eat the animals depicted on their coat of arms – both kangaroos and emu.
- Australians are a very gambling people
It is Australians who are considered the most gambling people on our planet. Gambling is so widespread in Australia that more than 80% of the country’s adult population plays it.
Also, Australians spend the most money gambling. And 20% of all poker games were played in Australia.
- Australians never leave a tip
Despite such a gambling lifestyle, Australians are not used to throwing money around. In particular, this is why many workers in the service sector do not like Austrian customers very much Lithuanians, as the latter never leave a tip. Even in my native Australia 🙂
- Australian dollars are made of plastic
When it comes to money, Australians are prudent even at the very stage of its production. The fact is that Australian dollars are made of thin plastic – this protects them from damage and significantly extends their useful life.
And if the bills are still torn in some strange way – no problem. You can continue to use banknotes in Australia as long as their pieces make up no less than 20% and no more than 80% of the entire bill.
For example, if a $10 bill is torn in half, you can use each of the two pieces as a separate $5.
- Australia has a very low population density
Australia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. On average, it is three people per square kilometer, while the average population density in the world is 45 people per square kilometer.
It is interesting that Australia is the only country where population density is calculated in the number of square kilometers per person, and not in the number of people per square kilometer, as in other countries.
- The “Flying Doctor” assistance service operates in Australia
The “Flying Doctor” service is the world’s first (and currently the largest) service that provides assistance to people in the most remote regions. The “Flying Doctor” has been operating for more than 90 years and covers 2.3 million square kilometers of the country.
Given the fact that Australia is a whole continent and several nearby islands, such a service makes it much easier to provide medical care to everyone who needs it.
- The Sydney Opera House is an orange
The well-known Sydney Opera House in Australia was built in 1973 by architects Jorn Watts and Peter Hall. Few people know that when developing the project, the architects were inspired by orange slices. And if you put all the fragments of the roof of the opera into a pile, you will get a sphere with a total weight of 161 tons.
- Australia is a country “on the contrary”
As Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, summer here lasts from December to February, and winter, respectively, from June to August. But that’s not all. All the stars, the moon and the sun (the sun, Carl!) move in the opposite direction to us.
- The first citizens of Australia are prisoners
Decades after the discovery of Australia by Europeans, in 1788 Great Britain declared Australia one of its colonies. And at that time, the British did not come up with anything better, how to use this continent to keep prisoners. This is how the first penal settlements began to appear on the eastern part of Australia (where Sydney would one day be founded).
Despite such an unusual history, today Australia is considered the country with the most law-abiding citizens in the world.
- Uggs are an Australian invention
Houses in Australia are not adapted to low temperatures, so even at temperatures below 15 degrees, the dwellings become not very comfortable. That is why Australians invented Uggs to use them in their homes.
- Australia’s main income is tourism
Despite the fact that Australians never leave a tip, they are very hospitable and take care of tourists.
Except Sydney Koi Opera in Australia is also worth seeing the red mountain of Uluru and the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island. In total, there are 16 World Heritage sites in Australia.
- Benefit from Australian fires
Probably, each of you has heard about large-scale fires in Australia. As a result, many animals and plants died, many of which are on the verge of extinction. However, this is only one side of the coin. Thanks to these fires, some tree species have improved their ability to reproduce.
For example, banksia, one of the plants endemic to Australia, has cones with a very thick rubbery resin. And high temperatures during a fire contribute to the opening of these cones and thereby facilitate the reproduction of Banksia.
And what interesting facts about Australia do you know? Write in the comments:
