“One of the things that makes Australia’s so special is the natural beauty. The continent is home to untouched beaches, age-old rainforests and unique ecosystems, and its biodiversity is astounding. Our coverage features the world-famous coral reefs, pristine beaches and national parks home to the extraordinary wildlife and stunning landscapes that make Australia a paradise for nature lovers. The natural wonders of Australia provide ample opportunity for exploration, Fortuitous options include hiking through verdant tropical forests, snorkeling the sonorous waters of the Great Barrier Reef and wandering the Outback’s ruddy sands.”

Australia’s vibrant cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, are hotbeds of entertainment, culture and the arts. Each city has its distinct personality melding modern skyscrapers with interesting historical sites, eclectic neighborhoods and lively art scenes. Our coverage shares the best of metropolitan Australia, from festivals, galleries and live events to world-class food and shopping. Experience the vibrancy of Sydney’s waterfront, the chic charm of Melbourne’s laneways and the casual beach lifestyle of the Gold Coast.

This makes it one of the oldest continuously existing civilizations on the planet — with Indigenous groups living in this area for over 60,000 years. These are the customs, artwork, and close ties to the land that make up this continent’s identity. Our programming explores the vibrant cultural heritage of the region’s First Nations peoples, acknowledging their contributions and informing visitors of sacred sites, customs, and ongoing efforts to preserve their legacy.

Mining, agriculture, tourism, technology–these are the industries that drive the economy. From wine to minerals to its premium-quality cattle, this landmass is one of the world’s top exporters of agricultural goods and other natural resources. Our category explores the key economic engines, including the most recent technological innovations, trade trends and the tech-startup ecosystem that is shaping the future.

Native Australians

Before European immigrants came, Australia was the home of its Indigenous peoples; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes. These are the world’s oldest living cultures, which have lived on the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years. Their deep spiritual connection to their land, known as “Country”, informs many facets of their existence — including social structures and belief systems.

The cosmology of the creation of the universe in Indigenous spirituality has a lot to do with Dreamtime, also known as Dreaming. In this understanding of the world, it was the ancestor spirits that created the nation and its components that set up the laws that govern both nature and human relationships. In the meantime, vivid tales of ancient heros and shamans are shared through art, music and dance, ensuring that Indigenous culture remains a rich and thriving legacy, and one that keeps changing along with humankind.

Despite these ancient societies enduring, the catastrophic effects of European colonialism on Indigenous tribes began with 1788. Disease, dispossession and violent warfare decimated their numbers and way of life. As part of an ongoing reconciliation generation, Australia is grappling with its colonial past and the rights and cultural heritage of the country’s First Nations people.

It is unique in the world, has its own fauna with a large number of species endemic to the continent. Wildlife is one of the biggest draws for tourists, including the unique platypus, kangaroos and koalas, and a wide variety of colorful species of birds. You can also look to our content for the world’s best places to see this region’s incredible biodiversity, if you want to spot whales offshore, swim with tropical fish or visit animal sanctuaries. Other sections highlight key conservation efforts that safeguard the region’s distinct ecosystems and abounding biodiversity.

The region has ways to celebrate, not just the hardworking ancestors of Americas but also their richly diverse native cuisines, their flavors blending together in a tastily exotic dietary experience reflecting both foreign and indigenous influences. This, the emphasis on all that is fresh and local, is also the part of the culinary culture that ranges from fine dining in wonderful restaurants down to quick bites and food in bustling specialty markets. This part is in search of the civil-ization of food, for the local character of local cuisine, and for the dynamic culinary scene that animates the city.

The Experience of the Settler

From the late 18th century, British prisoners and their military guards started to accompany European settlers to Australia. In 1788, the British government established a prison colony in Port Jackson (now part of Sydney) primarily to alleviate overcrowded British jails. Australia experienced a rapid growth in the number of free settlers and prisoners in the following decades, particularly after gold was found there in the 1850s and a wave of fortune-seeker immigrants flooded in.

Settlers enjoyed the opportunities but also faced the challenges of Australia. In a largely untamed environment, settlers faced some daunting challenges as they attempted to grow crops and build structures. And they endured because of the capriciously dry climate, the alien environment and their distance from Europe. However, the abundance of minerals, cultivable plains, and then oil and gas, eventually led to Australia developing one of the most prosperous economies in the world.

The settlers also had a strong influence on Australian national identity. Early Australians developed strong senses of resiliency, independence and mateship — loyalty between friends — that remain fundamental components of the national character today. This pioneering spirit was particularly pronounced at decisive moments in Australia’s history, including the settlement of the nation’s expansive interior, colloquially known as the Outback, and the country’s military engagement in world wars — including World Wars I and II.

One of the continent’s biggest draws is the outdoor lifestyle. It’s a place where daily life includes hiking, surfing and just being outdoors, all thanks to a temperate climate that allows for outdoor activity year-round. Some places offer adventure — quality beaches and surfing spots, national parks with hiking trails and stunning vistas. The best in outdoor activities are covered, from iconic coastal drives to remote camping getaways.

This remains a particularly popular area, thanks to its thriving theater and entertainment scenes as well as a year-round calendar of numerous music festivals, theatrical productions and cultural events. The region has a burgeoning art scene, and you’ll find modern and indigenous works on display in the galleries that showcase the vibrant cultural diversity in the region. Through our content you will be kept up to date with the latest news and exhibitions as well as the new generation of artists.

Natural Enchantments and Biodiversity

Australia is home to some of the most incredible wildlife in the world and one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity. Many of the country’s rare species — many of them found nowhere else in the world — could be uncovered. Australia’s most recognizable fauna includes monotremes, such as the platypus and echidna, and marsupials, like kangaroos, koalas and wombats. In most of the landscape, the dominant trees are eucalypts, a type of tree that is emblematic of the continent’s flora.

The Great Barrier Reef, off the state of Queensland, is likely Australia’s most well-known natural wonder. It is the largest coral reef system on Earth and one of the richest ecosystems on the planet, extending more than 2,300 kilometers. More than 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral and other endangered species — dugongs and sea turtles, for example — live there. Australia is doing just that — an enormous international effort to protect the Great Barrier Reef, an irreplaceable natural resource, which is endangered by climate change, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching.

The Outback is remote part of Australia made up of the country’s inland massive deserts and semi-arid regions and has become representative of the country’s rugged personality. The Outback may look desolate at first glance, but it boasts a special ecology that has adapted to harsh realities. Traditional Aboriginal lifestyles were guided by thousands of years of accumulated knowledge of the land, and how Indigenous Australians thrived in these three zones. The Outback especially is a growing travel destination for those wanting to see Australia’s rugged, untamed, wild landscapes and an area of ecological significance.

Contemporary Multiculturalism

Over the past few decades, Australia has transforming into successful multicultural nation. While most of its early Europeans were British and Irish, immigration from southern and eastern Europe surged after World War II, to be followed by waves of migrants from Asia, the Middle East and Africa. And as a result, the nation welcomes a wide range of cultural influences and celebrates its diversity.

Today, Australia’s great cities — Sydney and, particularly, Melbourne and Brisbane — are multicultural melting pots. Australian culture, in many aspects, is diverse, from food to fashions to music and art. Australian cities and towns boast a dazzling array of international restaurants, and festivals celebrating Greek, Italian, Chinese, Indian and other non-Anglo ethnic heritages are a regular feature of the social calendar. Multiculturalism has also been good for the arts and entertainment industries, as musicians, playwrights and filmmakers draw on the widest possible palette of cultural inspiration to create works that are well received at home and overseas.

The Economy of Australia

Australia has one of the biggest, most sophisticated economies on earth. Its chief industries are manufacturing, services, mining, and agriculture. It is a very diverse economy. With its wealth of natural resources like coal, iron ore, gold, and natural gas, the country plays a significant role in the global markets. These naturally available resources have played a huge role in the economic developmen of the country. The mining exports to nations like China and Japan bolstered the country’s uninterrupted economic growth in past decades.

Agriculture is also another major pillar of the Australian economy, The country is one of the world’s top producers of wool, wheat, barley, sugar and other commodities, and its wines are known worldwide. Its remote location and stringent quarantine laws mean Australia is free from pests and disease and its products are high quality.

Besides more traditional industry sectors, Australia is harnessing technology and innovation as drivers of growth. And as startups and entrepreneurs push the boundaries of everything from finance to A.I. and biotechnology, Sydney and Melbourne are emerging as tech hot spots. Australia will need to invest heavily in research, education and infrastructure to remain competitive as it works to become a more knowledge-based, sustainable economy.

Australia in the International Arena

Australia remains a Tier 1 nation on the regional and international stage. As a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and regional organizations, among them the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Australia is involved in various diplomatic and economic initiatives to enrich their goals of peace, security and prosperity. Additionally, the country has almost always supported Western countries, notably the United States, and it has participated in many military and peacekeeping missions globally.

Australia’s bans on its Asian neighbors, especially China, Japan, South Korea and India, have been melting recently. As the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific shifts, Australia is between maintaining long-standing ties with the West and enhancing economic and strategic relationships with Asia.