This is an unusual and extremely remote country from us - moreover, little-known to the average Russian, even a hat. The only thing that comes to mind at its mention is the pentagon, kangaroos, sheep, the opera house in Sydney ... I guess that's it.
In the lessons of economic and political geography, of course, we are told about this place. We know what seas wash the continent, who discovered it, what bays and mountains there are. The most advanced even studied the atlas and are aware of the minerals and their distribution areas. Otherwise, the information is sketchy. We suggest that you correct this unfortunate misunderstanding a little – and read a selection of dozens of interesting facts about Australia.
Australia has the Alps
Most of the tourists come here to surf and scuba dive, bask in the sun on a chic beach. Meanwhile, this country has its own Alps – on a par with German, Italian, French and Swiss. They are located at the junction of the states of New South Wales and Victory.
This is the point of attraction for fans of skiing holidays. Snow cover forms in the summer months - from early July to October, which makes the continent damn suitable for a ski holiday in the middle of the soaring summer heat.
Thalassocracy
Most of the country is an uninhabitable and harsh desert, only a number of coastal cities are suitable for comfortable human habitation. Big cities – such as Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – are strongholds of culture and civilization, university and industrial centres, ports. They are concentrated 80% of the population, another 15% live in small towns, and only a little less than 5% - in the depths of the continent.
The best place for devils
The habitat of a cute animal called the Tasmanian devil - the island of the same name - offers the best conditions for hiking in the open air, because the purity of the local air beats all world records and approaches the quality of the Antarctic. 25% of the state's land is occupied by national parks and natural heritage sites. There are practically no cars, but the hiking trails are surprisingly good and offer many points to view unique bays, mountains, bays and other objects.
And Queen Victoria sent convicts here!
Great Barrier Ecosystem
The coral "fence" that protects the east coast of the continent from the Pacific currents is a ridge of almost three thousand reefs, islets and rocks. It is clearly visible from space, serves as a guarantee of the existence of a unique ecosystem locked between the reef and the shore.
An ideal place for surfers and divers of all stripes.
The largest wine power in the Southern Hemisphere
To visit here and not pay a modicum of attention to local wines is criminal. The variety of regions, varieties and apelaments is huge, the choice is a serious difficulty for inexperienced consumers.
Most of the grape growing sites are located in Victoria and other southern states, so a leisurely trip along the highway from Sydney to Melbourne, combined with a thoughtful tasting, would be a good idea.
Fraser Island's Sandy Paradise
This amazing piece of land is a few miles from Queensland. Acquaintance is best to start with Harvey Bay. Go on a motorboat to the island - and join the icy waters of Lake McKinsey,the white sands of its beaches, the pools of Champaign - not man-made reservoirs on the Pacific coast.
In the forests lives several flocks of famous dingo dogs, described by novelist writers of the XIX century. In total, there are no more than two hundred animals, but even a couple of individuals is enough for a hapless tourist to be eaten along with a cap and sandals.
The longest straight line of the railway in the world
The Indian Pacific electric train connecting Perth and the old capital Sydney is a one-of-a-kind route. It is perfectly primed, stretching along the meridian, not deviating a meter from the original tracing - despite the Blue Mountains and the Flanders Range. The total length exceeds one thousand kilometers in double-track measurement.
The largest military memorial burial on the planet
The Great Ocean Highway is the most famous highway on the continent; it is distinguished by magnificent views, beautiful landscapes and bright colors. It was built by veterans of the First World War and is a memorial monument in which individual and group military graves of the dead servicemen of the Australian-New Zealand Anzac Army Corps are inscribed. It connects several dozen isolated villages and farms along the coastline.
Unique species of fauna
4 out of 5 native species of animals, birds, reptiles and insects are unique species that are found only on the fifth continent (endemics). According to statistics, 90% of the most venomous snakes on the planet are also found in Australia.
In general, if you suddenly have a desire to get acquainted with a biting gad - you have all the opportunities for this. Zoos and zoos, excursions to the wild or independent travel - options for the sea, it remains to choose the right one.
Uluru Rock
This unique rock is like an iceberg and rises in the middle of the Australian continent in a place called the Red Center, surrounded by bushes and other small vegetation. The height is 864 meters, and another 7 kilometers are hidden underground. According to geologists, the object dates back to the Triassin - it is more than 690 million years old.
