Australia is called the Land Down Under (地球的另一边)because it is below the equator(赤道). It is one of the seven continents (大陆)of the world. It is also a country.

　　The first people to live in Australia were aborigines.(土著居民) Aboriginal means first. They were like our Native Americans. Today there are still aborigines in Australia. You can see some examples of their beautiful art if you visit Australia.

　　Australia is like the United States in many ways. Most people live in or near cities. They speak English. They work in buildings like your parents.

　　Australia is about the size of the United States (not including Alaska).(澳大利亚的面积和不包括阿拉斯加在内的美国差不多) 18.3 million people live there, about as many people as in New York. Canberra is the capital of Australia.

　　The weather in Australia is warm and pleasant. The warmest months in Australia happen when we are having winter in the United States. January and February are the warmest months, with average(平均) temperatures between 65° and 70° F. June and July are the coldest months, with an average temperature of about 50° F, except in the Australian Alps,(高山) where temperatures average 35° F.

　　The middle part of the country is called the outback(内陆地区). The outback does not get very much rain and is very dry. Not very many people live in the outback.

　　There are about ten times more sheep than people in Australia. Sheep are raised for wool and for meat. (饲养绵羊是为了获取它们的毛和肉)