Vypracované otázky z AJ

HISTORY

• the original Australians called Aborigines came from Asia

• 1770 - the eastern coast was explored by British Captain James Cook

• became a penal colony (prisoners were kept there)

• 19th century – the transports of prisoners stopped

• beginning of 20th century - the Commonwealth of Australia was founded and the six colonies
  federated as sovereign states

WILDLIFE

• unique wildlife

• typical animals – kangaroo, koala bear, dingo

• typical fauna – grass and eucalyptus trees

• can be found 7 out of 10 of the most poisonous snakes in the world

PLACES OF INTEREST

• Sydney – the oldest and largest city
  – Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge

• Melbourne – 2nd largest city

• Tasmania – island state

• Ayers Rock (Uluru) – the world's largest monolith in the red Australian desert
  – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Great Barrier Reef – group of natural rocks
  – the biggest coral reef in the world

• The Twelve Apostles – now only 8

3. NEW ZEALAND

• population: almost 5 million

• capital: Wellington

• official languages: English, Maori, NZ sign language

• currency: New Zealand dollar

• NZ is a constitutional monarchy

GEOGRAPHY

• consists of 2 islands that are located in the South Pacific:

South Island, North Island + about 600 smaller islands

• divided into 16 regions/73 districts

• beautiful scenery: volcanoes, caves, deep glacial lakes, fjords, long sandy beaches, high mountains…

PEOPLE

• New Zealanders are called Kiwis

• Maori are native people of Polynesian origin

HISTORY

• the first residents were people from Polynesia (these were most likely the ancestors of the Maori population)

• 9th century – Maori people

  • 17th century – Dutch sailor Abel Tasman was the first European to reach New Zealand
    – he arrived in South Island, but he was attacked by Maori people

  • 18th century – James Cook made the first map of both islands, declared NZ as the property of GB

  • 19th century – North Island became a British colony

  • 20th century – NZ became formally independent

PLACES OF INTEREST

• Wellington - the capital city, seat of Parliament

• Auckland - the largest city, most populous, economic centre

• Bay of Islands – on North Island, a cove with little islands in it, important tourist destination

• Cathedral Cove – on North Island, natural rock archway, beaches, in The Chronicles of Narnia

• White Island – volcanic island

• Koekohe Beach – there are stones formed by ancient sea-floor sediments

SYMBOLS

• Maori Haka Dance = ceremonial war dance in Maori culture
  – the dance which Maori men performed before going into battle
  – it´s characterized by stomping, loud chanting and aggressive body movements

• Kiwi = flightless bird, national symbol since 19th century

• Kiwifruit – major export earner (30% of market with kiwis is from NZ)

4. UNITED KINGDOM AND NORTHER IRELAND

• official name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• British Isles: GB, Ireland and 600 islands (Orkney islands, the Shetlands, the Hebrides)

• GB: England (London), Wales (Cardiff), Scotland (Edinburgh)

• Ireland: Northern Ireland (Belfast), Republic of Ireland (Dublin)

• population – almost 70 million people

• national flag – the Union Jack

• national anthem – “God save the Queen”

• political system – Constitutional monarchy, Queen Elisabeth II.