Australia and Its People study guide

Australia's first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world. The archaeological record indicates that Aboriginal peoples arrived in Australia between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago. Aboriginal people are historically from mainland Australia and Tasmania, while Torres Strait Islander people are from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

These age-old beliefs and traditions still guide Indigenous communities today. There is a deep connection with the land, expressed through stories, art and dance, and these diverse cultures are an important part of Australia's national identity. More than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are still valued today.

European settlement began when the 'First Fleet' — the first 11 convict ships — arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788. British jails could not hold everyone imprisoned under harsh laws, so the British Government transported convicts to the new colony of New South Wales. Its first Governor was Captain Arthur Phillip, and as more convicts and free settlers arrived, the colony grew and more colonies were established. Early free settlers came from Great Britain and Ireland, and this British and Irish heritage shaped Australia's history, culture and politics.

In 1851 a 'gold rush' began after gold was discovered in New South Wales and Victoria. People came from all around the world to seek their fortune, and Chinese arrivals were the first large group of migrants not from Europe. Within ten years Australia's population more than doubled.

In 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. At this time the national democratic institutions — the national parliament, government and the High Court — were established under the new Australian Constitution. Australia's population was then about four million, a figure that did not include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; it was not until after a Referendum in 1967 that they were included in official population estimates.

Migration shaped the modern nation. A wave of non-British migration followed World War II, when millions of Europeans came to build a new life. In recent years migration and refugee programs have brought people from all over the world to join family, make a new life, or escape poverty, war or persecution. Australia's national language is English, and migrants are encouraged to learn and use it to participate fully in society.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories. Canberra is the national capital, and each state and mainland territory has its own capital city.

The six states and their capitals are New South Wales (Sydney), Victoria (Melbourne), Queensland (Brisbane), Western Australia (Perth), South Australia (Adelaide) and Tasmania (Hobart). The two mainland territories are the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and the Northern Territory (Darwin). Western Australia is the largest state; Tasmania, separated from the mainland by Bass Strait, is the smallest.

A Welcome to Country is a cultural practice performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region to welcome visitors to their traditional land, and is usually the first item that opens an event. An Acknowledgement of Country recognises that a gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land and pays respect to Traditional Custodians and Elders; anyone can deliver it. Both practices show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year — the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 — and is a public holiday in every state and territory. Anzac Day, on 25 April, is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that landed at Gallipoli in 1915, and is a solemn day to remember all Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red. The Union Jack in the top-left corner represents our history of British settlement; the Commonwealth Star beneath it has seven points (one for each of the six states and one for the territories); and the Southern Cross on the right is a group of stars seen in the southern sky. The Australian Aboriginal Flag (black, red and yellow) and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (green, blue, black and white) are also officially recognised.

The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the official symbol of national unity, supported by a kangaroo and an emu. Australia's national flower is the golden wattle, the national colours are green and gold, and the national gemstone is the opal. 'Advance Australia Fair' is the national anthem, sung at citizenship ceremonies and major events.