Australia

04/12/23 2

Quick Facts• The world’s smallest, flattest, and

lowest continent• The only country that is also a

continent• Called the Land Down Under because

it lies south of the equator• Seasons are reversed from those

north of the equator. Ex. – When it is winter here it is summer in Australia

Natural Features

04/12/23 4

Landform Regions• 3 main regions

– Eastern Highlands– Central Lowlands– Western Plateau

04/12/23 5

Eastern Highlands• System of ridges,

plateaus, and valleys in the eastern part of Australia

• Includes The Great Dividing Range

• www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/world/48au-s/03.jpg

www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/world/48au-s/03.jpg

04/12/23 6

Central Lowlands• Flatter and newer than the Eastern

Highlands• Include the Great Artesian Basin,

Australia’s largest source of underground water

04/12/23 7

www.abc.net.au/reslib/200705/r147203_518814.jpg

Great Artesian Basin

04/12/23 8

Western Plateau• Western part of Australia• Covers more than half the continent• Includes the outback, a vast area of

plains and plateaus that is largely flat and dry (Not to mention one of my favorite restaurants!)

• Also dotted with heavily eroded masses of rock that stand above the lowland. Ex. - Ayers Rock

04/12/23 9

Outback

www.panoramio.com/photos/original/9693977.jpg

04/12/23 10

Outback

www.abc.net.au/reslib/200710/r193532_732490.jpg

04/12/23 11

Ayers Rock

www.thelifeofdavid.com/.../images/ayers.jpg

04/12/23 12

The Great Barrier Reef

• Located off the northeastern coast of Australia

• The world’s largest coral reef. (Coral Reef – a structure formed by the skeletons of small sea animals)

• Most of the reef is a national park

04/12/23 13

www.solcomhouse.com/.../GreatBarrierReef-EO.jpg

04/12/23 14

s3media.pleasetakemeto.com/photos/Qld/Whitsun

04/12/23 15

Climate• Australia = mainly “desert with

green edges”• 1/3 of the country is desert & 1/3 of

the country is dry steppe. These regions are located mainly in the interior or “middle” of the country

• Only the northern, eastern, & southwestern coastal areas receive plenty of rainfall

04/12/23 16

Climate Con’t• Other climate zones include:

– Humid subtropical– Marine west coast– Mediterranean– Tropical dry

04/12/23 17

Desert

www.adventure-tours-australia.com/simpson-des

04/12/23 18

Plants and Animals• Endemic species – plants & animals

that developed in one particular region of the world

• Australia has many endemic species. Why?

04/12/23 19

Plants & Animals Con’t

• Australia has been separated from other continents for millions of years. As a result, some native plants and animals are not found anywhere else in the world.

• Ex. – Kangaroos, koalas, & eucalyptus

04/12/23 20

www.anra.gov.au/.../photos/red_kangaroo.jpg

04/12/23 21

jpg - upload.wikimedia.org/.../2/21/Cutest_Koala.jpg

04/12/23 22

www.findmeplants.co.uk/photos/eucalyptus_perr...