Australia Parichaya Pustika

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This book, "Australia Parichaya Pustika," authored by Ramanlal C. Shah and published by Parichay Trust Mumbai, serves as an informative guide about Australia. It is part of a larger series of "Parichay Pustikas" that aim to provide essential knowledge on various subjects in a simple and engaging style for a broad audience, including students, teachers, and curious citizens.

Introduction to the "Parichay Pustika" Series: The author, Ramanlal C. Shah, highlights the importance of staying informed in today's rapidly developing world. The "Parichay Pustika" series is presented as a valuable tool for acquiring knowledge efficiently and enjoyably. The series aims to condense key information from various fields of knowledge and science, presented by experts in accessible language. With 926 such booklets already published, the series is a well-received resource by the Gujarati community, satisfying the intellectual curiosity of many.

Author's Personal Connection to Australia: Ramanlal C. Shah shares his personal interest in Australia, stemming from two visits: one in December 1977 for the P.E.N. International Congress in Sydney, and another in September 1999. These experiences provided him with opportunities to travel extensively within Australia, leaving a unique impression on him compared to other countries. He notes Australia's vastness, sparse population, pleasant climate, prosperous lifestyle, blend of Eastern and Western cultures, high educational standards, and friendly people, ranking it among the top fifteen of approximately 125 countries.

Geographical Overview of Australia: Australia is described as an "island continent," being the smallest continent and the largest island in the world. Its coastline, including its smaller islands, stretches approximately 36,000 kilometers. Uniquely, it is a continent comprising a single nation. The Great Barrier Reef, a long chain of coral reefs in its northern shallow waters, is considered a global wonder that attracts many tourists. Geographically, Australia ranks as the sixth-largest country globally, spanning roughly 4,000 km from east to west and 3,200 km from north to south, with an area of about 7,682,300 square kilometers. Its landmass is considered geologically ancient. Prehistoric animals like kangaroos and platypuses are found there. Despite being nearly three times larger than India, Australia's population is less than 20 million, with most people concentrated in coastal cities. The interior consists of vast, uninhabited desert regions. Its rivers are relatively small and shallow, limiting the development of waterways.

Historical Context of Australia's Discovery and Settlement: The book delves into the history of Australia's discovery, noting that European and Asian explorers in the 15th century were unaware of this large island in the Pacific Ocean. Explorers from England, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal, after discovering Africa, began venturing towards Asia. While they explored the Asian coastlines, they did not extensively explore the central Pacific. Marco Polo is mentioned as an early European traveler who, after reaching China overland in the 13th century, hypothesized the existence of a vast island south of Sumatra.

By the 16th century, Dutch adventurers reached the islands of Java (Indonesia) and eventually discovered New Guinea. In the 17th century, Willem Janszoon, a Dutch explorer, reached the Australian coast while heading to New Guinea, mistakenly believing it to be another island of New Guinea. In 1606, Spanish explorer De Quiros discovered the eastern coast of Australia, recognizing it as a large island. He named it "Austrialia de los Esteros Santos" after King Philip III of Spain, which was later shortened to "Austrialia" and eventually became "Australia." Meanwhile, Dutch sailors, blown off course by a storm, landed on the western coast and named it "New Holland." Both names, "Australia" and "New Holland," remained in use until the late 19th century.

William Dampier explored the northern coast, and in 1770, British Captain James Cook charted the southern coast and proceeded north, naming the region New South Wales. Tasman discovered a southern island and named it Tasmania. Thus, the exploration of Australia was completed over two centuries. The author also mentions the name "Rhizzlee Hic The Land of Southern Cross" as a term used by sailors navigating by stars, referencing the Southern Cross constellation, which is depicted on the Australian flag.

The Settlement of Australia: While European nations discovered Australia, they were not initially interested in establishing colonies due to its remoteness. England, however, saw an opportunity. The primary motivation for settlement was to send convicts who had been sentenced to exile. The plan was to send approximately 700 convicts, along with a small contingent of staff, under the leadership of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was appointed Governor of New South Wales.

On January 18, 1788, eleven ships carrying the convicts arrived in Botany Bay. However, Phillip found the location unsuitable and moved to Port Jackson, where they landed on January 26, 1788. This date is still celebrated as "Australian Day." Phillip renamed his settlement "Albion" but later changed it to "Sydney Cove" after Viscount Sydney, which eventually became known simply as Sydney.

The success in settling the convicts encouraged England to send more, with approximately 130,000 convicts dispatched over time. Initially, there was a gender imbalance, leading to social issues. To address this, orphaned girls and unmarried working-class women were also sent, helping to balance the population. The population gradually increased as these settlers married and had children.

Gold Discovery and Population Growth: The discovery of gold near Melbourne in 1850 significantly changed Australia's demographic landscape. Wealthy, educated, and cultured individuals from England flocked to Australia in large numbers, driving increased trade and property development. This influx led to a higher proportion of educated and civilized residents, with the territory expanding and Australia becoming a British colony. People from other European countries also established their own settlements, though British authority remained dominant.

Indigenous Australians: Before European arrival, Australia was inhabited by indigenous tribes, with an estimated population of over three million belonging to more than 300 different groups. It's believed these indigenous people migrated from islands like Java and Malaya, sustaining themselves through fishing and hunting, with the boomerang as a key hunting tool. The book mentions various indigenous tribes like Gogoja, Wolmajari, Mandjiljarra, Guradji, and Bardi, noting that some tribes now have only a few hundred to a thousand members. Their isolation and distinct tribal structures meant they were not widely known outside their regions.

As European settlers increased and spread out, indigenous populations were pushed further inland, predominantly to the north, west, and central parts of the continent. The relationship with the settlers was not harmonious; early settlers, often convicts, were brutal towards the indigenous people, and introduced diseases proved fatal to many. Within a century, the indigenous population dwindled from three million to about 40,000-50,000. More recently, some indigenous youth have begun moving to cities to pursue education and integrate with the broader society.

Population, Religion, and Language: The book details the population composition, with Europeans forming 98%, Asians 4%, and indigenous people 2%. Among Europeans, 95% are of British descent. The settlement of Western Europeans, influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures and adapting to the climate, has led to a less formal lifestyle compared to Europe. Australians are described as friendly and open.

English is the primary language, although Dutch and German are still spoken in some communities. Australian English has its own distinct accent and colloquialisms. Christianity is the dominant religion, followed by Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews, with religious tolerance generally prevailing.

States and Cities: Sydney is the oldest and largest city, followed by Melbourne. Other major cities include Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra. Most cities are located on or near the coast due to the pattern of settlement. Australia is divided into six main states: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The borders of these states are often defined by latitude and longitude, rather than natural geographical features, due to the vast, sparsely populated interior. The book provides population statistics for each state and territory, including its capital city.

Governance and Politics: Historically a British colony, Australia chose to remain a "Dominion" within the British Commonwealth after India's independence, establishing a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II of Britain is the head of the Australian state, with a Governor-General appointed on the recommendation of the Australian government. While the British monarch holds formal authority, political power rests with the elected Australian government. There is a growing movement among young Australians questioning this constitutional monarchy.

Australia has a parliamentary system with two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has appointed members, while the House of Representatives has elected members. Representation in the House of Representatives is based on population, with more populous states having more representatives. The leader of the party with a parliamentary majority becomes the Prime Minister. Members of the House serve three-year terms, and Senators serve six-year terms, with half the Senate being elected every three years.

Elections are democratic, with voting rights granted at 18. Voting is compulsory for all citizens except indigenous people. The major political parties are the Labor Party, the Liberal Party, and the Country Party, with the primary competition between the Labor and Liberal parties.

Australia's political landscape is characterized by a lack of extensive political parties driven by issues of race, language, or religion. The focus is often on international matters, such as uranium export or whale hunting. The government provides social welfare, contributing to a stable economic situation.

Foreign Relations and Influences: While Australia's legal and governmental systems are based on British models, the country has had increasing contact with the United States since World War II and a growing engagement with Pacific Rim nations, leading to a more Eastern-oriented outlook. Japanese cooperation has led to the establishment of industries like car manufacturing and chemicals, increasing the Japanese population in Australia. This external influence is shaping Australian society.

World War II and Australia's Role: During World War II, Japan's invasion of British colonies included attacks on Darwin and Katherine in 1942. The United States provided crucial support to Australia, preventing its takeover by Japan. Following the war, Australia felt indebted to the US and supported American involvement in the Korean and Vietnam Wars by sending troops. Australia also accepted Vietnamese refugees at America's request, indicating a leaning towards the United States.

Economy: The early years of settlement were economically challenging for the convicts. However, the economy improved gradually, aided by supplies from Britain and the discovery of gold, coal, and iron. The wool industry also became a significant contributor. With its vast land and low population, Australia possesses abundant natural resources. Post-World War II, industries flourished with the support of countries like Japan and the United States, leading to prosperity and a satisfactory economic growth rate. Australia adopted the metric system in 1966 and uses plastic banknotes for security.

Education: Australia follows the British education system, with primary and secondary schooling typically lasting eleven years, followed by a four-year college degree. While variations exist across states, the literacy rate is high. Australian universities are well-equipped, but students sometimes show a preference for shorter-term vocational courses over lengthy professional programs like medicine or engineering due to their generally comfortable lifestyles.

Lifestyle and Leisure: Prosperity and ample space have led to a comfortable lifestyle for Australians. Most people own detached houses with spacious rooms, gardens, garages, and swimming pools. Swimming is a popular activity, with a high percentage of households having private swimming pools. Australians are also keen on beach activities, enjoying swimming and sunbathing. Surfing is a significant sport, with enthusiasts using surfboards to ride waves.

Sports: Australia is renowned for its sports, especially cricket, which has been popular for over a century. Other sports like golf, tennis, football, soccer, horse riding, and bowling are also played. Cricket remains a passion, with Australian players like Armstrong and Bradman achieving international fame. Melbourne hosted the 1956 Olympic Games, and Sydney was scheduled to host the 2000 Olympics.

Cities and Capital: Sydney is considered the most important city due to its historical significance, population, development, cultural activities, and natural beauty. Notable landmarks include the University of Sydney, the State Library of New South Wales, Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo Park, the Opera House, Centrepoint Tower, and the nearby Blue Mountains. Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, is known for its university, National Art Gallery, Rialto Towers, and Botanical Gardens. Canberra is the capital city, and other significant cities like Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart each have their unique characteristics. Alice Springs is a scenic spot in central Australia, and Cairns in the northern rainforest region has developed into a tourist hub, offering activities like skyrail tours and reef exploration.

Time Zones: Due to its vast size, Australia observes three different time zones, similar to the US, Russia, and China, with variations for winter and summer. For instance, at noon in Perth, it's 2 PM in Adelaide and 2:30 PM in Sydney. Australia's time is 4.5 hours ahead of India.

Canberra - The Planned Capital: Canberra, the capital, was built from scratch. The plan for a separate capital city originated during the British colonial era, with land allocated from New South Wales. An international competition was held for the city's design, with American architect Walter Burley Griffin's plan being selected. His design included a central lake with a 140-foot-high fountain. The city was inaugurated in 1927 by King George V.

The Sydney Opera House: The Sydney Opera House is a modern architectural marvel, considered a must-see for any visitor. Its location and design are remarkable, built on reclaimed land in Sydney Harbour to be visible from afar. Its lotus-petal-like shape, integrated with the surrounding water and sky, enhances its beauty throughout the day and night. The design was chosen through an international competition, with Danish architect Jørn Utzon's proposal selected. The initial estimated cost was AUD 12 million, but the final cost escalated to AUD 1.2 billion by its completion 20 years later, making it an exceptionally expensive structure. The Opera House features four main halls with a combined seating capacity of 10,000. Its white, curved shell-like structures have earned it the moniker "poetry in concrete."

Unique Flora and Fauna: Australia is famous for its unique wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses, which are considered prehistoric creatures. The country boasts diverse flora and fauna, with about 700 species of eucalyptus trees. Kangaroos, known for their distinctive hopping gait and pouches for carrying their young, are a national symbol. Koalas, bear-like marsupials, feed on eucalyptus leaves and are a beloved animal. The platypus is a unique egg-laying mammal with features of both birds and mammals, considered a "living fossil." Australia's birdlife is also diverse, including the emu (the national bird), cassowaries, and kookaburras.

Sheep Farming: Sheep farming is central to Australia's economy, with the country holding one-fifth of the world's sheep population, estimated at 150 million, compared to less than 20 million people. Australia produces half of the world's "Merino" wool, exporting about 90% of it. Sheep farming is believed to have originated in Australia with the introduction of Merino sheep in 1797, leading to a significant increase in sheep numbers and wool production.

Opals: Opals are a precious gemstone found in Australia, with the country being the world's largest producer. Mined from deep underground, these opals are polished into various shapes, displaying a spectrum of colors. While not as hard as diamonds, their unique play of color makes them attractive, though they are susceptible to damage if dropped or rubbed against hard surfaces.

Conclusion: The book concludes by emphasizing Australia's unique geographical, natural, cultural, and economic characteristics, placing it among the world's top fifteen countries. It describes Australia as a country that, with its welcoming people, is a delightful place to visit.