The relief

3 major land regions: the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, the Western Plateau

The Eastern Highlands extend from Cape York Peninsula in the north-east to the south coast of Tasmania. Are also known as the Great Dividing Range (Большой водораздельный хребет) – their slopes divide the flow of the rivers in the region.

The Australian Alps (the highest mountains on the continent), the highest peak – Mount Kosciusko 2,228 m.

A low plain with sandy beaches and rocky cliffs stretches along the Pacific coast. Receives more rainfall than any other part of the country. The southeastern area of the plain is the most heavily populated part.

The Central Lowlands are generally flat. Lake Eyre - the lowest point in A. lies 16 m below sea level. Many rivers are dry most of the year. In the southern part of the region farmers grow wheat, the rest of the region is too dry/hot for most kinds of crops.

The Western Plateau Deserts cover the central part of the region.4 major deserts cover 1/3 of A.: The Great Victoria Desert, The Sandy Desert, The Simpson Desert, The Gibson Desert.

RIVERS AND LAKES are of vital importance. Most of Australian rivers are dry at least part of the year. The longest permanently flowing river - The Murray River - 2,589 km. During the southern dry season it is fed by the country’s longest river the Darling (dry in winter) - 2,739 km.

Large permanent lakes are artificially created. (Lake Argyle in western A., Lake Gordon in Tasmania) – water conservation projects. Most of the natural lakes are dry for months or years (Lake Eyre – the largest - 9 500 км², Lake Torrens). Underground water. Most – artesian water. Chief source – the Great Artesian Basin (too salty for people, good enough for livestock).

CLIMATE

In general, A. has warm, dry climate. Almost all the precipitation is in the form of rain. Snow falls in the extreme southeastern highlands. July is the coolest month in every part of A. +5C

The southern part of the continent has 4 distinct seasons. Winter (June – August) the wettest and the coolest. Summer (Dec – Feb) the hottest and the driest.

Tropical northern A. has only 2 seasons – a wet (Nov – April) and a dry (May – Oct)

The Great Barrier Reef. Runs along the northeastern coast. The world’s largest coral reef. A chain (2,000 km) of more than 2,500 reefs. 400 species of corals.

Fauna. 150 species of marsupials (сумчатые): kangaroos, koalas, wallabies. The platypus – утконос. Dingo.