Transcript Document
Where Australians Live… Location, Climate, & Natural Resources in Australia Location Of Australia Both a continent & a country Lies about 2,000 miles southeast of Asia In the southern hemisphere – Literally the “land down under”! Location Coastal areas are the most populated Most people live along east coast Most populated city is Sydney, in New South Wales Another populated city: Brisbane, Queensland Location Nearly 80% of Australians live in urban areas – Australia is one of the world’s most urbanized countries 70% of all Australians live in cities of more than 100,000 people – Sydney has 3 and a 1/2 million people – Melbourne has about 3 million people Climate of Australia Varies across the continent It’s south of the equator, so climate is opposite North America: – Summer: December through March – Winter: June through September Climate: North Australia Northern part of Australia is closest to the equator Tropical climate and is warm-to-hot all year round – Gets more rain than any other part of the country Winter: wet and cool Summer: hot and dry Climate: Central Australia Desert is the largest part of Australia Little rain falls here – Most of this area gets less than 10 inches of rain per year! Climate: Coasts Only the southeast and southwest corners have a temperate climate – Summers aren’t too hot & winters aren’t too cold (similar to Georgia) Climate in these regions is the one that Australians prefer the most – Most Australians live along southeastern coast Natural Resources of Australia Outback refers to the dry interior – Mainly open countryside, including vast expanses of grazing land Few widely scattered settlements in the Outback – Many of them grew up around mining operations… Natural Resources: Mining Australians mine for coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, zinc, oil, and natural gas – Lead the world in the production of diamonds, lead, & bauxite (used to make aluminum)! Natural Resources: Mining Minerals are often found in areas that are difficult to reach – Roads are expensive to build, but they are needed to get workers & equipment to remote locations – Expensive equipment is needed to move minerals to populated cities to trade Natural Resources: Arable Land Land that is good for farming Enough areas with good land and rainfall to make farming an important business in Australia – Farmers here produce more than Australians can consume, so the food is traded and sold around the world Questions to Consider: Where do most Australians live? What important business is done in the outback? Why do most Australians live in southeastern Australia? Postcard Directions: Front: Illustration of your favorite Australian destination (must be colorful!) Back: Write a greeting to one of your friends that describes Australia. Be sure to include: • • • • Location Climate Land Resources