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Chapter
Nineteen: Australia
Australia
is the only place on earth that is both a continent and a country.
It lies between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, too large to
be called an island. Most of the continent consists of deserts,
with a few low mountains and hills; fertile coastal plains;
and, in between, pasturelands known as the Central Lowlands
or outback. Water is a scarce commodity in Australia, lacking
in 75 per cent of the country. One unusual feature of the lowlands
is the Great Artesian Basin, where underground pools of water
can be drilled to feed farms and ranches. In the late 1700s
and early 1800s the British began to settle and rule Australia.
In the early 1900s the country claimed independence from Great
Britain.
People
About
99 percent of Australia’s population are of European and Asian
ancestry. Aborigines, the first Australians, make up the rest.
Hunters and gatherers, Aborigines came to Australia from Asia
about 30,000 to 40,000 years ago. At one time nearly destroyed,
the Aboriginal culture today is an increasingly respected
part of Australian life. For its great size, Australia is
thinly populated—about six people for every square mile. About
15 percent of the people live in rural areas. Many live on
stations in the outback where they raise cattle or sheep.
Most Australians live in cities scattered along the coast.
The largest, Sydney and Melbourne, are the cultural and commercial
centers of the continent. "Aussies" still retain
a good deal of their British heritage, but like the U.S.,
they have developed a unique character from the diversity
of their people.
What Time Is It in Australia?
Australia
has three time zones. Australia’s capital, Canberra, is 15
hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. If it’s 10 a.m. in Washington,
D.C., then it’s 1 a.m. the next day in Canberra.
Doing Business in Australia
If
you’re planning to do business in Australia, here are a few
tips you might want to know.
Greetings
- A
firm, friendly handshake is customary before and after a
meeting in Australia. Shake hands with a woman only if she
offers her hand first.
- Use
full names for introductions and a title only if the Australians
use one first. Australians are a friendly people, but wait
until they initiate using first names.
Gestures
- Never
use the thumbs-up sign. It’s considered rude in Australia.
- If
you yawn, say, "Excuse me," and cover your mouth
with your hand.
Protocol
- Be
punctual. Lateness implies a sloppy business attitude.
- Engage
in small talk before the meeting. This approach will help
establish an easy-going business style.
- Be
yourself—warm, friendly, modest, direct. Do not put on airs.
Australians will not be impressed.
Want to know more about Australia?
Visit
www.
Britannica.com.
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