Australian Lifestyle

Australia is a land, which possesses a remarkable diversity and beauty. It is rich in a variety of ways, including beautiful wilderness areas, clean white beaches, interesting flora and fauna, rivers and lakes, age old mountains, extensive snow fields and desert plains.

Australians are very friendly and helpful people, with a great sense of humor. The majority of Australians live in coastal areas because of its beauty and the beach culture throughout Australia. Going to the beach on weekends in Australia is a very popular exercise, just as much as going to the Shopping Center or any sporting activity. The so called Australian Beach Culture is similar to California, Rio de Janeiro, and the Mediterranean. Australians love to live close to the sea.

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Please click on the map above for more detail about the area.

Australian culture is as broad and varied as the country's landscape. Australia is multicultural and multiracial and this is reflected in the country's food, lifestyle and cultural practices and experience. This diversity of influences creates a cultural environment in Australia that is lively, energised, innovative, and outward looking. Australia is full of European, English and Asian cultures. For example the majority of all the major cities in Australia have a China Town precinct and European influences such as “Little Italy” in Sydney and Lygon Street in Melbourne.

As of July 2007, Australia's population is roughly 21.0 million people. The most populous states are New South Wales. Victoria and Queensland, with their respective capitals, Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane the largest cities in Australia. In 2001, the five largest groups of the 23.1% of Australians who were born overseas were from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, Vietnam and China.

The majority of Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year. The northern states of Australia are typically warm all the time, with the southern states experiencing cool winters and beautiful sunny summers. Snow falls on the higher mountains during the winter months, enabling skiing in southern New South Wales and Victorian ski resorts.

Australia is an island continent and the world's oldest and sixth largest country (7,682,300 sq km). Lying between the Indian and Pacific oceans, the country is approximately 4,000 km from east to west and 3,200 km from north to south, with a coastline 36,735 km long.

Canberra is Australia's capital city. With a population of approximately 320,000 and situated in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra is roughly half way between the two largest cities Melbourne and Sydney.

All Australians are entitled to freedom of speech, religion, and movement. Australians are free, within the bounds of the law, to say or write what they think privately or publicly, about the government, or about any topic. All Australians are free to join any organisation or group if it is legal. Australians can choose to belong to a trade union or to a political party. Having and debating points of view allows for a healthy and strong democracy.
Australia does not have an official or state religion. The law does not enforce any religious, however, religious practices must conform to the law. Australians are free to follow any religion they choose. Australians are also free not to have a religion.

Australians can move freely to and from all states and territories. Australians can leave and return to Australia at any time.

www.australia.com

Australia has a prosperous, Western-style mixed economy, with a per capita GDP higher than those of the UK, Germany and France in terms of purchasing power. The country was ranked third in the United Nations 2006 Human Development Index and sixth in The Economist worldwide quality-of-life index 2005.

Australia has been ranked by the World Competitiveness Yearbook as the most resilient economy in the world for the fifth consecutive year. (www.investaustralia.gov.au/WhyAustralia/AboutAustralia/)

1. Growing foreign/overseas direct investment
2. Strong economic credential
3. Strategic location
4. Democratic and politically stable
5. Business friendly regulatory environment
6. Highly skilled and multilingual workforce
7. Cost competitive location
8. Innovative culture with excellent infrastructure
9. Strong and sophisticated financial service sector
10. Excellent quality of life