Australian history facts
Australia’s unique landscape and ecosystem
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent and one-third of it is desert – commonly called the ‘outback’. As a result, the majority of its inhabitants are settled in the southwest and southeast, where the climate is more hospitable. In complete contrast to the deserts, Australia is also home to several tropical rainforests found in the northeast.
Australia’s people
Australia is proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse nations on earth and one thing that its population shares, is a great love of Australia’s magnificent outdoors and sport. Today Australia attracts many people from all over the world who are drawn to this beautiful country with more than 10 000 beaches. Expats arrive from the United Kingdom, China, Vietnam, the Middle East and of course, South Africa.
Australian inventions
Australia is home to many inventions that have changed the world. One that is up for debate is Vegemite. Vegemite might look like its cousin Marmite, but it tastes completely different. Vegemite is made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additions. It was developed by Cyril Percy Callister in Melbourne, Victoria in 1922. Other inventions that are more popular outside Australia include:
- The electronic heart pacemaker developed by Australian doctor Mark Lidwell and physicist Edgar Booth in the 1920s
- Google Maps, developed by Lars and Jens Rasmussen in Sydney in the early 200s
- Gardasil and Cervarix – the world’s first anti-cancer vaccines developed by Brisbane-based medical researchers Professor Ian Frazer and Dr Jian Zhou
Best advice to visitors to Australia:
“There are too many misconceptions about travelling in Australia. While it’s certainly a costly country, if you do your research, there are many ways to travel on a budget. It’s not a last-minute travel destination either. So, our best advice is to be well organized and have a precise travel plan. The better you’re prepared, the more you will enjoy. This is the only way to make a high-quality trip while keeping travel costs within the budget.”