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Australia History

The original natives of Australia were aborigines from the southern regions of Asia, who settled there more than 40,000 years ago. As an aftereffect of the last Ice Age, Australia was isolated from the rest of the world by a great deal of water. The aboriginal tribes ruled Australia for many years and developed a distinct and beautiful culture very close to nature. They lived amongst the rich flora and fauna near the coastal areas of Australia, until the Europeans arrived.

The French and the British pioneered the exploration of Australia, with some contributions made by the Dutch as well. Captain James Cook was responsible for charting Australia's eastern coastline, which he named New South Wales. This became the first European settlement of Australia. The first wave of British settlers arrived in 1788 and began a process of colonization that almost wiped out the aboriginal civilization which existed there. Many free settlers began to arrive subsequently from Europe and Asia, resulting in the formation of a rich multicultural society over the centuries that followed.

The individual colonies united in 1901 to form the independent country of Australia, with each colony becoming one of its states. Its natural resources helped it to flourish quickly, and make its impact on the pages of the history human civilization.

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