Australian Misconceptions

When the rest of the world thinks of Australia, they probably don't think of the Sydney Opera House or the rich cultural history. Instead, the first things to come to many people's heads probably involve the "Crocodile Dundee" or kangaroos. While these common misconceptions about what Australia is really like are harmless, they also leave the world underestimating the nation's economy and importance in world affairs.

Many people seem to think that Australia consists mostly of open fields and the population lives in small rural areas. While much of the land is grassland or desert, less than 15% of Australians live in rural towns. Most are in developed cities such as Sydney where the economy consists mostly of the service and information sector. Obviously, the common misconception that Australia is somewhat underdeveloped is not accurate.

Not only is Australia economically advanced with a mixed economy, there is also a lot more history than one might think. Although it is true that the British used to send prisoners to Australia, the aborigines inhabited the land a long time beforehand and left behind a wealth of culture including the musical instrument, the didgeridoo, and the boomerang, which was originally used for hunting.

Australia is also home to many geographical landmarks. The Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast is the largest coral reef in the world. It makes a great companion for some of the nicest beaches and surf spots on the globe, which also reside in Australia. Some other geographical landmarks that shouldn't be missed are the Blue Mountains and the mountains of New Zealand.

What does the future have in store for Australia? If the country continues to develop at its current rate we can expect Australia's impact on the world economy and culture to continue to expand. As the world continues to learn more about the Australian people and culture, we are learning how valuable the country and its resources could be in the future as communication and transportation gaps in our world are quickly being bridged.

Hopefully Australia will gain some respect as it continues to develop at a steady rate along with the rest of the world. It is ready to evolve and will play a large role in future world events. More and more of the world's population is slowly beginning to realize that not only is Australia a beautiful country, it has a lot to offer in terms of the economy and culture.