Australia

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is unusual among continents. It lacks major relief
features and has a high proportion of dry land. The continent's isolation from
other landmasses accounts for its unique varieties of vegetation and animal life,
and for the existence of a Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) culture among the
Aborigines. Except for Antarctica, Australia was probably the last continent to
be inhabited by humans and the last to be explored and settled by Europeans. It
is the only continent comprising a single nation-state.

Dutch explorers first sighted Australia in the early 17th century. Capt. James
COOK explored the east coast in 1770 and claimed the land for Great Britain. In
1778 the first settlement (SYDNEY) was founded at an excellent harbor on the
southeast coast. British convicts played an important role in the territory's
early history. The discovery of gold and other ores attracted immigrants, but
Australia remained a primarily agricultural country until World War II.

Subsequent ...

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