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NATURE OF AUSTRALIA
To’raqulova Pokiza
Termiz Iqtisodiyot va Servis universiteti
Filologiya va tillarni o’qitish (ingliz tili)
Yo’nalishi 2-kurs 4-24-guruh talabasi.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15521433
In Australia, getting back to nature is easy. Just head an hour or two out of any city and
you can immerse yourself in an unforgettable wilderness experience. It’s not just our famous
beaches, bush, and outback, either – you can also explore monsoonal wetlands, cool-climate forests
and even alpine mountain ranges. These diverse landscapes are home to an amazing range of
unique animals and plants.
One of Australia’s most distinctive landscapes, “the bush” – native Australian forest – is
dominated by tall eucalypts or gum trees, as well as flowering plants like wattles, banksias and
waratahs. Right across the country, the bush is a sanctuary for animals such as koalas, wombats
and echidnas, and birds such as kookaburras and cockatoos. Plants such as eucalypts have adapted
to the bushfires that sometimes sweep through – in fact, many species require fire to stimulate new
growth. The Blue Mountains is a one-million-hectare (3,861-square-mile) wilderness with 140
kilometres (87 miles) of hiking trails. Other highlights include Aboriginal cultural sites, cascading
waterfalls and the limestone formations and underground rivers of Jenolan Caves. Also well-
known for its hiking trails and Aboriginal rock art is the Grampians, in Victoria. It's also home to
fantastic wineries, some in operation since the mid-1800s. The highest point on the Australian
mainland is Mount Kosciuszko at 2228 metres (7310 feet) above sea level. The glacial lakes and
alpine ecosystems of the Australian Alps are unique on this arid continent. In the Southern Forests
you'll find some of the world’s tallest trees. Karri, jarrah, marri and tingle trees – found nowhere
else on Earth – soar up to 70 metres (230 feet) in the sky.
The mainland is the world's smallest continent and the country is the sixth-largest by total
area. Australia is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often dubbed the "island
continent". It has 35,877 km (22,293 mi) of coastline (excluding all offshore islands), and claims
an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi). This exclusive
economic zone does not include the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries. Because of its long geographic isolation,
much of Australia's biota is unique. About 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering
plants, 69% of its mammals and 46% of its birds are endemic. Australia has a wide range
of ecosystems of which 89 regions and 419 subregions are recognised in the Australian bioregion
framework.
In January 2025 there were 168,386 named species on the Australian National Species
List. However, it is estimated that 70% of Australian species have not been discovered and
classified and that there may be 600,000 Australian native species. In general, knowledge
of vertebrates and flowering plants is better than for invertebrates and fungi. It is estimated that
less that 10% of Australia's fungi and insects have been named.
Fitzroy Island, one of the 600 islands within the main archipelago of the Great Barrier Reef
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Most of Australia is arid or semi-arid. In 2021 Australia had 10% of the global permanent
meadows and pastureland. Forest cover is around 17% of Australia's land area. The Australian
mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 ft) compared with 870
metres (2,850 ft) for all continents. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern
Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. At 2,228 m (7,310 ft), Mount
Kosciuszko is the highest mountain on the mainland. Taller are Mawson Peak, at 2,745 m
(9,006 ft),
on
Heard
Island,
and,
in
the
Australian
Antarctic
Territory, Mount
McClintock and Mount Menzies, at 3,492 m (11,457 ft) and 3,355 m (11,007 ft) respectively.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and home to amazingly
diverse marine life. Above the water, the reef is dotted with picturesque tropical islands and some
of the world’s most beautiful sun-soaked beaches. You can visit them all on an island escape or
from exciting coastal gateways like Cairns and the Whitsundays. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,
in the heart of the Red Centre, is home to two of the country’s most astounding rock formations –
Kata Tjuta and Uluru. The sheer size of these monoliths will impress, as they emerge from an
otherwise flat landscape. But it’s the spirituality and rich Aboriginal history connected to these
sacred places that will leave a lasting impression. Almost too baffling (and beautiful) to believe,
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in South Australia is known for its beautiful pink hue, stretching across an
incredible 144 km (89 mi). Most of the time, the lake is comprised of a dry, sparkling pink salt
bed, but once every few years, a downpour of rain floods the region in a dazzling display. The best
way to experience the pastel pink spectacle is aboard a scenic flight from the underground opal
mining town of Coober Pedy during a half-day adventure with Wrightsair. One of the highlights
of the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the 12 Apostles rise defiantly from the wild Southern Ocean,
creating spectacular vistas both from above and below. Soar above the remaining spires (there are
just eight still standing) in a helicopter, or take the Gibson Steps down to the sand to appreciate
the vertical coastal cliffs from another angle.
References
1.
Australia geography “The world factbook (2025). Central intelligency agency 16-august
2024
2.
Area of Australia, States and territories Geoscience Australia 27June 2014
