5 Fun Facts About Australia

What is the capital city of Australia?

Canberra became the capital of Australia in 1908, chosen as a compromise between the rival cities of Sydney and Melbourne. It is an entirely planned city within the Australian Capital Territory.

Which of these animals is a marsupial native to Australia?

Koalas are arboreal herbivorous marsupials native to Australia, known for their diet primarily consisting of eucalyptus leaves. Platypuses and echidnas are monotremes (egg-laying mammals), and dingoes are wild dogs, not marsupials.

Which European explorer is credited with the first recorded European navigation of the strait separating mainland Australia from New Guinea?

Luís Vaz de Torres, a 16th-century maritime explorer, was the first European to navigate the strait between Australia and New Guinea, which was later named the Torres Strait after him.

What famous large sandstone monolith is located in the Northern Territory of Australia and is sacred to the local Anangu people?

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a sacred sandstone monolith in Australia's Northern Territory, deeply significant to the Indigenous Anangu people. It is a prominent natural landmark.

In the Australian system of government, who is the head of the federal government?

The Prime Minister serves as the head of the Australian federal government, leading the executive branch and chairing the Cabinet. The Monarch is the Head of State, represented by the Governor-General.