Histrica
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Oceania

Australia

Aboriginal continent for 65,000 years; British settlement from 1788 to modern federation.

Overview

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have inhabited Australia for at least 65,000 years. British colonization from 1788 established six colonies that federated as the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

Basic Information

CapitalCanberra
Population26 million
Area7,692,024 km²
CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)
LanguagesEnglish
RegionOceania

History Timeline

  1. c. 65,000 years agoAboriginal peoples arrive
  2. 1770James Cook charts the east coast
  3. 1788First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove
  4. 1901Federation
  5. 1967Referendum counts Indigenous Australians in the census

Ancient Peoples

  • Aboriginal Australians
  • Torres Strait Islanders

Ancient Kingdoms

    Empires

    • British Empire

    Religions

    • Christianity
    • Buddhism
    • Islam
    • Aboriginal spiritualities

    Culture

    Dreamtime storytelling, Sydney Opera House, mateship ethos.

    Language

    Australian English; 250+ Indigenous languages historically.

    Important Battles

    • Gallipoli1915

      Formative WWI campaign

    • Kokoda Trail1942

      WWII in New Guinea

    Historical Figures

    Edmund Barton
    1901 – 1903

    First prime minister

    Gough Whitlam
    1972 – 1975

    Reforming PM

    Archaeological Sites

    • Madjedbebe
    • Kakadu rock art
    • Lake Mungo

    UNESCO World Heritage Sites

    • Great Barrier Reef
    • Uluru-Kata Tjuta
    • Sydney Opera House
    • Kakadu NP

    Dynasties

      Colonial Period

      British 1788 – 1901.

      Modern History

      Federal parliamentary monarchy.