The name Australia originates from the Latin word Australis, which means “of the south” The first use of the word referring to the country may be found in the novels of Jacques Sadeur in 1693.

The first time Europeans recorded sightseeing of Australian land occurred in 1606 by a Dutch navigator. The dutch established New Holland in the western coasts but never tried to establish any formal settlements. James Cook was the first British sailor who claimed Australia for England, as he took possession of what eh called New South Wales. Since the revolution of the thirteen colonies in America, the British took the island as a penal colony. The establishment of the colony started with the settlement at Port Jackson by Arthur Phillip on January 26 1788. This day would later be proclaimed as Australia Day. The rest of the territories were added later, such as South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia were never intended to serve as convict holders, however later on these would hold prisoners as well. Since the European settlements, the indigenous Australian population began to shrink due to infectious diseases and cultural disintegration. There was a gold rush in the early 1850s that nourished the immigration from Europeans and other south East Asian people.

The flag has three main components: The Union Jack in the upper hoist quadrant or first quarter (also know as the Canton), denoting Australia's historical links with Great Britain; the constellation of the Southern Cross, which iis a significant navigational feature of the southern hemisphere, strongly places Australia geographically and has been associated with the continet since its earliest days; and The Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation, central in the third quarter or lower hoist, has seven points to denote the six states and the combined territories of the Commonwealth.

Australia is located on the Southern Hemisphere at 35’15S 149’28E. The capital of the country is Canberra, which on the province of New South Wales and to the south of the nation’s biggest city, Sydney. Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the French dependency of New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast.

The total extension of the island is 7,741,220 sq. km. and the total population, as of 2006 estimations, is 20,555,300 people. Three time zones are utilized in Australia and it is always a day ahead of the standard central time (U.S.). 

Australia consists of six states, two major mainland territories, and other minor territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The two major mainland territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

The Australian constitution was declared on January 1^st 1901.The government adopted upon separation from the U.K. is that of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The three branches of government are the commonwealth parliament, comprised by the queen, the senate, and the House of Representatives. The federal Executive council represented by the Prime Minister and the Ministers of State. The High Court of Australia and the federal courts depict the judiciary system of the nation.

The official language is English, although it possesses certain variations from the standard American English and the British English spoken in the U.S. and the U.K. respectively.

 

*Interview

As a means of providing a general idea about various aspects about life in Australia, we interviewed Clare Webb, 23 years old, law student in The Monash University of Melbourne. Exchange student at TEC semester august-december 2006. She told us the following:

1. What cultures can be found within Australia?

You can find a lot of different cultures in Australia: The Italians are the most represented, they immigrated after the Second World War. Melbourne and Sydney have the most diverse cultures; they are cosmopolitan cities, extremely attractive for students from all over the world. You can also find a lot of Lebanese and Chinese communities. A lot of people are coming from China, Taiwan or Hong Kong to be educated. Australia is also the most important place for Asians to immigrate (for its proximity to Indonesia, Asia, and Malaysia…). Melbourne is the most important place for the New Zealanders to immigrate (proximity).

2. What are the languages spoken in your country?

English by the majority of the people, Chinese and Italian (in relation with the immigrants) and also Australian Aboriginal dialects.

3. What are some important values for you?

Equality of sexes (most important), freedom of speeches, political freedom, education also extremely important for us, family is also important but less than in countries as Mexico.

4. What are some of the predominant beliefs in Australia?

We have the belief that everybody can be individual and equal. We are not a very religious country compared to Europe of Latin America. We have no state religion, even if there are still a lot of strong religious groups (diverse with the presence of the diversity of cultures).

5. How is institutional and organizational power distributed in your country?

Australia is a federation, the government is centralized. The state has a lot of power to govern himself, the central government is getting more power in relation to the courts. The prime minister is leader of the country but he cannot impose what he wants because of the important decision-power of the opposite party, the power is very balanced.

6. How do you feel towards uncertain situations?

We do not feel stressed or uncomfortable in general. Most of the diverse cultures have been there for a few generations, they are well integrated and we are used to living together. When you go to China town in Sydney, you don't feel stressed because you can feel you are welcome. This is a only a part of the success of the integration, in Australia and in Sydney there is still a lot of racism against Lebanese or Chinese communities. We have still a lot of problems.

7. Do you value assertiveness and the acquisition of wealth over caring for others?

In general, unfortunately, people tend to be individualistic, people want to become successful and they also value high power jobs. But I think this aspect of the Australian culture is counterbalanced by the new generations who seem to be more collective. Making money is not their only objective, they care more of others.

8. Are you very concerned about being on time and following schedules?

Yes a lot, if you say you are going to do something or be there, you have to respect what you said. Efficiency is very valued in Australian.

9. When you communicate are you explicit in what you want to say or rely on the setting and the situation at hand?

Australians are very specific, they are blunt people, they always say what they mean maybe because freedom of speech is very important from us. You are just supposed to say what you want to say.

10. How is your relationship with members of your family?

My family relationships are excellent. Family is a very important value for Australian people even if people are moving very young from the family home. That is because they do not like to live with theirs parents but it is only because they want to be independent as early as possible. They also have jobs very young,  most of Australian students are working and studying at the same time to earn extra money. So, they are used to take responsibilities very young.

11. What comes to your mind when thinking about Mexicans (if you do not know any), or what was the image you had before meeting one?

I think Mexican people are extremely friendly, they stay happy even if it s a burden for them to help you.  They are always giving to you even if they do not have much. They are also kind of unclear with theur meaning when they speak. (and with time and meetings...) Before coming, I did not have an image very clear of what could a Mexican be, because it is very unusual to meet one in Australia, but I knew they were very religious and that family values were very important.

12. What are some of your prejudices?

In general, unfortunately I have to say that Australian people have prejudice against races. A lot of person are very racist against so many Asian communities and a lot of refugees. Australia used to have very strict policies for immigration, but when the White Australia policy was abolished in 1973, numerous government initiatives have been established to encourage racial harmony based on a policy of multiculturalism. But people from old generations could not bear with that and they want to keep the old policies.

My prejudices are against Australians like that! Because they don't educate themselves about refugees and people who are coming in our country, they have strong beliefs before trying to learn about a culture. They never involve themselves, they are just complaining. Also against people who complain all the time!

13. What are some gestures or body movements frequently used in your country?

Handshakes and one kiss on the cheeks are very used in Australia, comes up (thumb up), finger (middle one).

14. How is touching regarded?

Touching is really well-regarded in the society, it is really accepted, a couple can kiss in the street, with your friends or even in offices, people won't be chocked if you are touching them.  

16. Talking about time, do you consider yourself as past-, present- or future-oriented?

I think we are more a future-oriented culture. In politics or economy, we always want to increase and make progress. Because we do not have any self defense neither money to take part in the international problems or conflicts, we are really concentrated on our own development and always want to be independent economically.