• CULTURE

Since 1788, the primary basis of

Australian culture has been Anglo-Celtic
Western culture. Distinctive cultural
features have also arisen from Australia's
natural environment and Indigenous
cultures. Since the mid-20th century,
American popular culture has strongly
influenced Australia, particularly through
television and cinema. Other cultural influences come from neighbouring
Asian countries, and through large-scale immigration from non-English-
speaking nations.

Royal exhibition building tulips straight

It was built to host the Melbourne International

Exhibition in 1880-1881 and later hosted the opening of the
first Parliament of Australia in 1901. The Royal Exhibition
Building is still in use as a commercial exhibition venue,
hosting many events on a regular basis such as the
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. The Royal
Exhibition Building is used as an exam hall too.
 • CUISINE

Australia's food traditions have been largely

shaped by its inhabitants. For most of
Australian history, the cuisine was based on
traditional Indigenous bushfood using native
berries, fruit, fish, kangaroo and even insects
such as the witchetty grub. Later, British food
was introduced by the first European settlers;
the Sunday roast has become an enduring tradition for many Australians. In
the 19th and especially the 20th century, food was increasingly influenced
by Mediterranean and Asian cultures of immigrants of the period.

• SPORT
Around 24% Australians over the age of
15 regularly participate in organised sporting
activities in Australia. Australia has strong
international teams in cricket, field hockey,
netball, rugby league and rugby union, having
been Olympic or world champions at least
twice in each sport in the last 25 years for both men and women where
applicable. Australia is also powerful in track cycling, rowing, and swimming,
having consistently been in the top-five medal-winners at Olympic or World
Championship level since 2000. Swimming is the strongest of these sports;
Australia is the second-most prolific medal winner in the sport in Olympic
history. Nationally, other popular sports include Australian rules football,
horse racing, surfing, soccer, and motor racing.

• ENVIRONMENT
Although most of Australia is semi-arid
or desert, it includes a diverse range of
habitats from alpine heaths to tropical
rainforests, and is recognised as a
megadiverse country. Australia has the
greatest number of reptiles of any
country, with 755 species. Among well-
known Australian fauna are a host of
marsupials, including the kangaroo and
koala. Australia is home to many
dangerous animals including some of the
most venomous snakes in the world.
 The kangaroo is a national symbol of
Australia: its emblem is used on the
Australian coat of arms, on some of its
currency, as well as by some of Australia's
best known organisations. The kangaroo is
important for Australian culture and the
national image. Kangaroos have large,
powerful hind legs, large feet adapted for
leaping, a long muscular tail for balance, and
a small head. Like all marsupials, female
kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium
in which joeys complete postnatal
development.

Australian forests
are mostly made up of
evergreen species,
particularly eucalyptus
trees in the less arid
regions, Wattles
replace them in drier
regions and deserts as
the most dominant
species.
AUSTRALIA