About Australia
Australia is a large country – about the size of the continental United States. While many people mistakenly think it is a hot, flat and desolate place, the world’s only island continent has varied climates and landscapes including mountains, rainforests, beautiful beaches, red deserts and cosmopolitan cities.
One of Australia's most identifiable landmarks, the Sydney Opera House, is one of the world's premier performing arts centers. Taking almost 15 years to build, it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973.
Australia is home to the world’s largest monolith – Ayer’s Rock. The monolith is now referred to by its official Aboriginal name, Uluru. Made of arkosic sandstone, Uluru changes color in different lights, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
Australia's animals are certainly different. In fact, until the last century it was believed that the continent's animals had a different evolutionary starting point from the rest of the earth's species. While the kangaroo is prevalent, Australia is also home to more animals that can kill you than anywhere else on earth – including the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, paralysis tick and stonefish.