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FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIA :: DID YOU KNOW? The Commonwealth
of Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising
the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major
island of Tasmania and a number of other islands in the
Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The neighbouring countries
are Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north,
the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the north-east,
and New Zealand to the south-east. The Australian mainland
has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous
Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the
north and by European explorers and merchants starting in
the 17th century, the eastern half of Australia was claimed
by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal
transportation as part of the colony of New South Wales
on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas
were explored, another five largely self-governing Crown
Colonies were established during the 19th century. On 1
January 1901, the six colonies became a federation, and
the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation,
Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political
system and remains a Commonwealth Realm.
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