2014-2015学年高中英语 Unit 3 Australia Backgrounds for 教案 新人教版选修9.docVIP

Section 1 Backgrounds for 1．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. 2. Glimpses of Australia (An exposition) Glimpses of Australia (An exposition) Capital Canberra Official name Commonwealth of Australia Area 7,686,850 km2 Population 20 million Highest point Mount Kosciuszko，2,228 metres above sea level Lowest point Lake Eyre，15 metres below sea level Characteristics Australia is the only country that is also a continent． Australia is famous for its huge，open spaces，bright sunshine，enormous number of sheep and cattle and its unusual wildlife, which include kangaroos and koalas． Australia is made up of six states． 1