Do Americans know anything about Australia?

Question

Apart from Steve Irwin and kangaroos.
I was just wondering because everyone always says how ignorant Americans are; I would like to test if this is true.

Americans, what do you know (or think you know) about Australia?

Answer 1

Our pet Cockatiels come from Australia. Most of the indigenous animals in Australia are marsupial (meaning they have babies in the early stages of development and then nurse them in a pouch until they are ready to fend for themselves.) The Duck-billed Platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs. The introduction of cats, rabbits and other animals has WRECKED your ecosystem because there are no natural predators, save the Dingo. The people are excellent ranchers. Ayers Rock is the biggest rock according to Guiness Book of world records. The Outback is HUGE. The Movie, 'Man From Snowy River' was filmed there. You paid GST long before we did and it just about bankrupted your economy. Your Prime Minister, John Howard (Who is a Liberal) is in his 4th term. Former prime minister Paul Keating created a furore in 1992 when he touched the Queen on the back as he introduced her to guests at an official function. The British media had a field day, with one newspaper labelling him the "Lizard of Oz".

Answer 2

Your country is known here as "The Land Down Under"

My favorite movie star, Tom Sellak made a movie called "Quigly Down Under" there.

Your summer is our winter and your winter is our summer.

You have beautiful scenery. Some of it wild, like our wilderness areas, only much different.

You have a large population of aboriginal people, as well as a population of people who migrated there mostly from Europe.

Your country has large modern cities and farming areas.

What we call ranches, you call sheep stations.
There are many people on these stations who are in ham radio contact with others in the large cities and around the world.

You have a thriving entertainment industry. And an opera house which is the envy of the world. A beautiful building located near the harbor in Sydney.

Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger, Keith Urban,Mel Gibson, Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, Olivia Newton John, and Russel Crowe are just a few of the actors and singers that are natives of Australia.

Australia has been a friend to America, shouldering a large load during the Iraq war. When many other nations who should have had a larger presence, were not to be counted among the brave, Australia stood up.

I did not research this answer. This is imformation which I have learned from various sources throughout my lifetime. If any of it is incorrect, please correct me, as I have always been an admirer of your country, and want to have correct information.

Thanks for the question.

Answer 3

Australia is home to some of the most poisonous/dangerous creatures on earth.

Queen Elizabeth is the Queen of Australia

Australia has 6 states.

They drive on the left side of the road.

Rabbit Proof Fence is a great movie from Australia.

My daughter wants to move to Australia more than anything.

Answer 4

Most Americans, such as myself, do not know too much around the world because our media focuses exclusively on anything regarding America or what is involved in. What time could have been spent educating everyone about other countries is rather focused on what's going to happen to Paris Hilton, who should be locked up to rot by the way. But getting back to your question after explaining a reason why I don't know anything about Australia. I know that not too much of it is "the outback". The Sydney Opera House is located there. Austalia was once used as a prison. Other than that I pretty much am clueless about Austalia. Good question though, I hope you decide to write a list of things most Americans don't know about Austalia.

Answer 5

The capital's adelaide no wait canberra, I think the cities are in close proximity if I'm not mistaken. The biggest city's sydney, on the west coast is perth. To the south is tasmania, capital Hobart, the outback is a vast region in the north of the country, there are indigenous peoples living there. Australia has what I think is the best sport in the world, Australian Rules Football and my favorite team will always be essenden. It's a dream of mine to see them play some day!

Answer 6

I know that Australia was 'colonized' by prisoners,( who had been sent there to do time), after their time was served. I know about Australia only through the media,(newspapers, television, internet,movies, documentaries), and through a person who grew up in Australia, but now lives,(and his family), in our small town. He's ex-military,ARMY. Yes American's are pretty ignorant, that's why we lead the world in technology, and are up on a friggin' Space Station!

Answer 7

Honestly, I don't know much about Australia because I don't care that much about Australia. I love their accents, the Sydney Opera House is amazing, Melbourne and Sydney seem like awesome places to visit, but in all honestly, I care *much* more about Italy that I do any other country right now, including my own.

Answer 8

I know a few musicians in Australia, like Silverchair, Missy Higgens, JET, Wolfmother, Kylie Monogue. I know they have a sweet accent, but then agian I'm Canadian.

Answer 9

Uh...it's a continent and a country.
Capitol is Canberra...
It's got a weird chunk of rock in the middle called Uluru.
It's the home of the platypus
It has lots of natural resources and is home to the world's largest mining company (BHP).
It was settled by convicts shipped from England.

Answer 10

Sydney, Melbourne, The Opera House, Native mammals are marsupials, In the Southern Hemisphere, John Howard = PM, Canberra = capital, still recognizes the British throne. I could go on.