Australia Day - January 26th

I am an Australian and I would have to say that this year it has been one of the best. I have just gotten home from spending the day with really good friends and laughing and telling stories (some of them not repeatable!) LOL. Throwing some snags on the Barbie, no that isn't throwing sensitive new age guys on the Barbeque! LOL.. Having a cold beer and just in general enjoying each others company. This is something that we as Aussies are good at! Drinking beer and eating! LOL.. Seriously though.. Here are some facts about this wonderful country that I call home...

Australia - just the facts
In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population. Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth. It lies between 10° and 39° South latitude.

The highest point on the mainland, Mount Kosciuszko, is only 2228 metres. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about three-quarters of the land is arid or semi-arid. Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, and these are used very effectively to help feed the world. Sheep and cattle graze in dry country, but care must be taken with the soil. Some grazing land became desert when the long cycles that influence rainfall in Australia turned to drought.

The Australian federation consists of six States and two Territories. Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest State, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.