Figure 1.--The Sydney Harbor Bridge took a decade to build. It was the world's widest long-span bridg in the world at the time. It was opened (1932). Some 60,000 school children from all over New South Wales were given the opportunity of crossing the bridge the day before the official opening. Click on rhe image for another view, Notiice the British and Australian flags.

Australia is an island, a huge island and for that reason is commonly called the island continent. It is the world's largest island and sixth largest country in area (7.7 million sq km). The country has a roughly rectangular shape, about 4,000 km from east to west and 3,200 km from north to south. Given that north south range, few counries have more diverse climatic conditions. The coastline is some 36,700 km long. It is probably the most isolated point on earth, other than perhaps New Zealand or Easter Island. Australia was the end point for the first human migration out of Africa. Leaving the Aboriginies as Australia's first humans and with the rise of ocean levels with the ebbing of the Ice Age, leaving them isolated there. Australia separates the Indian and Pacific Ocean. While emense, large areas of the country are arid and can not be used for agriculture, still Australia is so lrge that there are substantial arable areas and Australia has an important agricultural sector. Some of the arid aeeas can be used for extensivve licestock grazing. Australia is basically the southern limits of the South Pacific. Which is why, after Japan conquered most of the South Pacific in the World War II Pacific War, Japan tageted Australia. Large areas of northern Australia are located in the tropics. Southern Australia has a more temperate climate. Tamania, the most southern part of Australia, not only has a temperate climate, but is exposed to the Antarctic climate and Antarctic currents. Australi's European settlement began at Botony Bay (1770). But the focus soon shifted to Sydnet Cove, better known roday, as Sydney Harbor, one of the world's finest natural harbors. Two of Australia's most notable landmarks are located in Sydney Harbor--the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. The view of the Bridge and the Opera House is widely regarded as the iconic image of Australia. The third notavle Australian landmark is of course is located in the dry center of Australia--the Big Red Rock (Ayers Rock or Uluru).

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Crerated: 11:01 PM 3/24/2023
Last updated: 11:01 PM 3/24/2023