Chapter15 Australia Today
》》Key Words
■National anthem
■geographic location
■topographic features
■rivers and lakes
■climate
■population
■race and ethnicity
■cities
■government
■economy
■education
the Australian Flag
With an area of 7.7 million square kilometers，Australia is the sixth largest country in the world.The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of Australia，and Canberra is its federal capital.Australia’s national flag displays the British Union Jack in the upper left corner as an indication of its traditional relationship with the mother country.The rest of the flag is a dark blue field on which appear a large seven⁃pointed star symbolizing the six states and the Northern Territory that compose the nation，and five white stars representing the Southern Cross，a constellation of stars that is mainly visible in the southern Hemisphere where Australia is located.
Australia’s national anthem is“Advance Australia Fair”，which is the revised version of a 19th⁃century patriotic song composed by Peter Dodds McCormick.The lyrics are as follows：
Australians all let us rejoice，
For we are young and free；
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil；
Our home is girt by sea；
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare；
In history’s page，let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing，
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
Well toil with hearts and hands；
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands；
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share.
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing，
Advance Australia Fair.
Map of Australia