Australia could literally be defined as the “Land Down Under” simply because it is one of the worlds flattest landmasses (Encarta). With an average elevation of only 1,000 feet, the country consists of Great Plains and low plateaus. To the east, Australia has a natural divider in the form of a mountain range. With a unique height of 4,000 feet, the Great Dividing Range, or Eastern Highlands, separates the coast from the inland territory. But, there is one peak in all of Australia that surpasses these tall mountains. The peak of Mount Kosciusko stands taller than any other peak in Australia at 7,000 feet. With all this dry, flat land, curiosity sets in as to who was able to begin life in Australia.

The Aborigines were the first group to inhabit Australia, which is located in the South East Asian region. They stepped on Australian ground more than 30,000 years ago. The Aborigines stayed isolated from the rest of the world up to the early 1600’s

If there was one thing that acted as a set back to farming it was the European animals brought over during the first exploration. “A large proportion of Australia’s native animal species exist nowhere else in the world” (Encarta). From the ever so popular kangaroo to the strange-looking emu, Australia has quite a unique group of creatures. However, when the Europeans came to settle here in Australia they brought over there share of animals including horses, cattle, cats, camels, deer, dogs, donkeys, goats, pigs, buffalo, and the infamous rabbit. These animals were not indigenous to the land and have caused some serious ecological and economical damage across the country. The most widespread damage has been caused by the European rabbit, which was brought to Australia mainly for sport. These rabbits, not being from the land, had no natural predators so were able to quickly multiplied to as many as 500 million. The damage they cause includes soil erosion, the destruction of habitat for other species, and devastating agricultural losses (Encarta). Nevertheless, farming has been able to stay steady and has been used as a great economical source of income.

Along with destructive animals and dry, flat land; the weather also plays a big role in how Australians live their lives. “Australia is the driest of the inhabited continents. The arid and semiarid deserts and plains of central and western Australia encompass more than two-thirds of the continent’s area” (Encarta). The weather changes according to the different regions of the country. From tropical in the north to cool temperatures in the south, Australia has all types of weather. Natural disasters that have occurred here include tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and severe droughts. Beca

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