NOTE > One word you will hear a lot when we talk about Australia is 'indigenous'. It's used to refer to people, plant, and animal life. In its most basic use, it means those living organisms or people who originated, or occur natively in a particular place.

Essential Questions

1. What physical characteristics of Australia's geography makes it unique?

2. How have invasive species affected Australia, and what is the national government doing to fight them?

3. How is Australia working to reintegrate aboriginal people into the society in Australia?

4. What challenges does Australia face?

5. In what ways are human - environment interactions in Australia changing and what is Australia's place in the modern world?

6. How is Australia dealing with movement?

Description 

First off, you need to know that Australians love their country. They love the culture, their unique language, the sunshine, the oceans, Ayers Rock, the Outback - you name it and they love it. This has long been suspected by those who study Australia, and recent surveys have proven it. In fact, Australian society is so unique and filled with national pride that a recent study found that 80% of Australians say they would not want to live anywhere else.

Australia is the smallest continent on earth. At the same time, it is one of the largest nations. Australia's unique separation from other continental land masses allowed animal life to develop on paths that differed widely from the rest of the world. Australia's geologic history is also unique.

European colonization brought massive changes to Australia. Political and environmental changes have occurred a lightning speed in Australia. One of the greatest environmental challenges to Australia comes from the introduction of invasive species. Today the government of Australia is working to control the environmental damage caused by invasive species.

The indigenous people of Australia - sometimes referred to collectively as aborigines - have suffered huge population losses because of disease. The history of European settlers regarding the indigenous people of Australia has also been brutal. In order to help right the wrongs of the past, the nation of Australia has a National Sorry Day every year. Part of the goal is to remind the people of Australia about the sufferings of those who were first in Australia. Another part is to set national goals to help improve the lives of the indigenous people of Australia.

Objectives

Students will identify and explain key elements relating to each of the essential questions.

Instructions

1. Use the links and class information linked below as you work through the printed assignments.

Online Files for this Assignment

Click here to view the PowerPoint file about a quick introduction to Australia. Click here to open the notes page we used to accompany it.

Click here to open the National Geographic for Kids article about Australia.

To open the Britannica article about Australia, click here.

Here is the link to the video about the geographic variations in Australia.

Click here to open the PDF file about invasive species in Australia.

Click here to read about National Sorry Day in Australia.

Here is a link to an excellent article about animals in Australia and the problems associated with invasive species.

Here is a pretty good detailed political map of Australia.

Here is a good physical map of Australia.

Click here to open the PowerPoint about Australia we used in class on Nov. 8.

To open a copy of the notes we used on the PowerPoint on Nov. 8, click here.

Click here to open the PowerPoint about the geography of Australia we used in First Hour on Nov. 9.

Click here to open the PowerPoint about places in Australia we used in Second Hour on Nov. 9.

Here is the link to the printed copy of the short answer questions.

Click here to open the handout about the Great Barrier Reef.

Below are the links to the printed parts of the packet.

Map and Crossword