What do you really know about Australia?

[Wildcard5]

Australia is a Death World. 90% of the wildlife has some way to kill you, and REALLY wants to do so.

And the huge arachnids are are the least of ones worries.

What I know is that large amounts of convicts were shipped there before the 20th century and that there is an interesting town made of underground areas due to people mining the area for opals.

 

[Anomynous 167]

1. The original natives are known as "Aborigines."
2. The British used it as the world's largest prison for a while.
3. It's home to some of the most awesome animals on earth (kangaroo, dingo, koala etc.).
4. The capitol is Canberra.
5. Sydney is the largest city and is home to the Sydney Opera House (go figure).
6. It was a part of the British Commonwealth until the mid-20th century.
7. Australian gaming regulations are more draconian than most other industrialized nations.
8. The government tends to lean more conservative than the United States.
9. There are some magnificent coral reefs off-shore.
10. A "bogan" means a stupid person.
11. There are several nonnative species that are major pests, such as cane toads.
12. The outback is a place you don't want to get lost in.
13. During the World Wars, Australian troops fought tenaciously and made great sacrifices.
14. Its people have a reputation for being friendly but direct.
15. I have distant relatives that live in Australia.

That's what I can come up with off the top of my head.

1. "Aborigine" should of been a generic term for natives, but then we had the nerve to trademark it.
2. The reason for sending the convicts to Australia was because Ghana would of been too big of a hell-hole to send convicts (or something of those lines)
5. Really, the Opera House? Doesn't any one recognize the gloriousness of the Toaster (Built in 1998. Located in Circular Quay)?
8. That's the Liberal Party for you (And the Labor, but I don't like how they liberally spell it with out a u.)
10. Technically it means backwater (or was it back wash?), as in Boganville. It is also synonomous with hill-William (or Billy for short), and Detroit.
15. I have distant Canadian relatives.

 

[Dr.Susse]

We have only ever put a shrimp on the barbie to confuse a tourist.
And Fosters is poison.

 

[jigilojoe]

We kicked the Aussies arses this year at the Cricket! I know little more than that

Mad Max? Didgeridoo's? Surf? Relaxed lifestyle? Surprising prejudices for a race who are descendants of Britain's waste? Couple of other things us Brits think about you. But I think that Britain thinks of Australia as a lucky coincidence of our misuse of power, like an accidental child becoming prime minister. It's great you're on the planet, I mean, who else would we beat at cricket?

 

[FlashHero]

Lolis aren't allowed and you all like wales . Thats pretty much all I know. Oh and spiders...evil spiders.

 

[Samcanuck]

I have heard it is very similar to Canadian culture. Multicultural and a bit on the socialist side of democracy. Thats awesome. I also have heard the taxation is included in cost when purchasing. Canada really should adopt this policy.

I know a bit here and there, but I would like to know more.

 

[Cockney Weasel]

Adam Hills is one of my favorite comedians, so Oz is cool by me.

Plus an Aussie mate of mine grew up near this little town in the outback where a load of people ended up on smack, and in a rare show of liberalism the local government effectively stopped enforcing laws against softer drugs like dope and psychedelics in order to curb this problem. It worked. Kinda. Now it's full of hippie types, has an annual joint-rolling festival and the police station has an elaborate hallucinogenic mural on the front that they can't be bothered to take down. Sounds like fun.

 

[A velociraptor]

All I know is that the annual low for Perth is about equal with the "average" temperature in my state (WA).

 

[zombiestrangler]

Yahtzee lives there
It's a long ass flight away. Or swim.
There's quite a few little bastards there that will kill you.
Jim Jefferies is from there.

 

[CrystalShadow]

Uh... I'll keep out of this, having lived in Australia for 16 years, it doesn't quite have that 'outsider' perspective now does it? XD.

 

[Shadowsole]

Fun Fact, Michael Chamberlain (Azaria Chamberlain's Father) (the Baby eaten By the Dingo) is a wonderful man and an english teacher, Also the most famous person I have ever personally met.

 

[KEM10]

double

 

[tawmus]

The homeland of AC/DC. Surprised no one mentioned that yet.

 

[KEM10]

I know all there is to know about Australia, I've seen all the Crocodile Dundee movies AND every episode of The Crocodile Hunter.

Seriously, the comparison with Canada is kinda funny only because of its accuracy. The only difference I can tell is that Canadians don't have a problem with their "bogans" because I can't think of what their version would be (except maybe Quebec).

 

[CrystalShadow]

I have heard it is very similar to Canadian culture. Multicultural and a bit on the socialist side of democracy. Thats awesome. I also have heard the taxation is included in cost when purchasing. Canada really should adopt this policy.

I know a bit here and there, but I would like to know more.

Wait... Are you telling me Canada has a sales tax, but shops don't list it as part of the price of anything you buy?

Wow that's annoying.

Just about every country has sales tax, but it's usually accounted for in the shelf price. If you truly must know how much tax you paid, it's often listed on the receipt.

But, since you have to pay it regardless, not listing it would be akin to misleading advertising.

 

[Tower 87]

Australia is the America to New Zealand's Canada.
This is what I know.

I always thought Tasmania was Australia's Canada....or maybe Mexico.....

Jokes!

 

[LitleWaffle]

Debate about whether it being a country or a continent has/had been going on for a while.

Didn't they combine New Zealand and Australia together or something? Can't remember were I heard that.

That is all I know besides KANGEROOS.

Heck, I didn't even know it was Australia Day... =/
Screw being American

 

[Tower 87]

We kicked the Aussies arses this year at the Cricket! I know little more than that

Mad Max? Didgeridoo's? Surf? Relaxed lifestyle? Surprising prejudices for a race who are descendants of Britain's waste? Couple of other things us Brits think about you. But I think that Britain thinks of Australia as a lucky coincidence of our misuse of power, like an accidental child becoming prime minister. It's great you're on the planet, I mean, who else would we beat at cricket?

Yeah and you also have a Soccer league that people care about too. Where did the racial prejudice stigma come from? or is it really that true?

 

[Arkley]

6. It was a part of the British Commonwealth until the mid-20th century.

This is a bit misleading - a small correction:

Australia gained full independence from the British Empire in the mid-20th century (1942, ratification of the Statute of Westminster). It remained a member of the British Commonwealth, which was subsequently renamed the "Commonwealth of Nations". Australia is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Another interesting fact I've found isn't known by most Americans (and even some Australians): HM Queen Elizabeth II is still Queen and Head of State of Australia, in addition to New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Barbados and others.

 

[StAUG]

The state of Queensland (the top right quarter of the country) is suffering the worst flood in 200 years. At one point the area underwater was the size of France and Germany combined.

I've always lived here though, so I guess I see things a bit differently.