heavily concentrated in eastern states due to geography and climate. A highly developed country, Australia is the world's 12th largest economy and has the world's fifthhighest per capita income. Enviroment. Although most of Australia is semiarid or desert, it includes a diverse range of habitats from alpine heaths to tropical rainforests. 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. Among wellknown Australian fauna are the monotremes (the platypus and echidna); a host of marsupials, including the kangaroo, koala, and wombat, and birds such as the emu and the kookaburra. The koala and eucalyptus form an iconic australian pair pair. Culture. Since 1788, the basis of Australian culture has been strongly influenced
more than 500 species of eucalyptus, or gum trees. Only the big river red gum is seen everywhere. These can be found beside rivers and dry riverbeds. Some gum trees are valuable timber species and have been cut down for many years. Gum tree leaves are full of oils, which evaporate easily. That why the Blue Mountains are called like that, because the evaporateing eucalypt oils, which make the air blue. Another big family of native plants is acacias. They are also known as wattles. There are about 900 species of wattles. The golden wattle is Australia's native flower. Its gold flowers and green leaves have inspired the colours worn by many Australian sporting teams. In Australia bushfires are very often to happen. Because the trees and shrubs do not lose their leaves in winter, but grow throughout the year. But when the dry leaves and branches fall down, then there is a lot of dry material and theat helps busfires to burn. Animals
bearing clouds are blown away. An EL Nino occurs every four or five years causing droughts and bushfires. Droughts are often followed by floods. Plant Life A long time ago Australia was separated form other countries. This movement caused the difference of species, plants and animal form the other countrys. The water controls the type of vegetation in a country. The two main types of vegetation are the eucalyptus or gum trees and acacia or wattles. The eucalypts are found all over Australia. There are more than 500 varieties of gum trees in Australia. Australia is the home of some 600 species of acacia. These trees develop smaller, leathery leaves to avoid loss of water. Australia has over 155 million hectares of native forest, about 80 per cent of which are eucalypt. Animal life Australia is a continent sized museum of ancient animals. Anteater and platypus are the two of the strangest animals in the world
rainforests in the south. The biggest family of native plants is the myrtles. They include more than 500 species of eucalyptus, or gum trees. Only the big river red gum is seen nearly everywhere. These can be found beside rivers and dry riverbeds. Some gum trees are valuable timber species and have been cut down for many years. Gum tree leaves are full of oils, which evaporate easily. Another big family of native plants is the acacias. They are also known as wattles. There are about 900 wattle species. The golden wattle is Australia’s native flower. Its gold flowers and green leaves inspired the colours worn by many Australian sporting teams. In Australia bushfires are very often to happen. Because the trees and shrubs do not lose their leaves in winter, but grow throughout the year. But when the dry leaves and branches fall down, then there is a lot of dry material and that helps bushfires to burn. 5
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