Australia Notes

Australia

A country located entirely within the Southern Hemisphere, also known as 'The Land Down Under.'

Commonwealth of Australia

The official designation of the country of Australia.

australis

The Latin term meaning 'southern,' from which the name 'Australia' is derived.

Tropic of Capricorn

A latitude at $23.5^{\text{°}}$ S that passes through the approximate middle of Australia.

Great Artesian Basin

Covers $22\%$ of Australia and is the world’s largest artesian basin.

Uluru

The world's largest monolith located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Murray-Darling System

The largest drainage system in Australia, comprising the Murray and Darling rivers.

Merino Sheep

A breed of sheep highly valued for producing premium fleece.

Paddocks

Smaller fenced sections of a sheep station used to prevent overgrazing.

Mustering

The process of gathering sheep for shearing.

Artesian Well

A well where water rises to the surface due to natural pressure from an aquifer.

Dingo

A wild Australian dog that poses a threat to livestock.

Jackaroos and Jillaroos

Paid laborers who work on sheep stations.

Coral

A hard substance formed by the skeletons of tiny marine creatures called polyps.

Perennial River

A river that flows continuously throughout the year.

Population Trends in Sheep Rearing

Sheep numbers in Australia have decreased from $170$ million in 1990 to roughly $68$ million.

Land of Migrants

A descriptor for Australia due to its diverse population stemming from migration.

Total Land Area of Australia

$7,692,000$ sq. km.

Mount Kosciuszko

The highest elevation in Australia at $2,228$ m above sea level.

Lake Eyre

The lowest point in Australia, situated at $16$ m below sea level.