How did Australia get its name?
The name Australia derives from Latin australis meaning southern, and dates back to 2nd century legends of an “unknown southern land” (that is terra australis incognita). The explorer Matthew Flinders named the land Terra Australis, which was later abbreviated to the current form.
When was Australia named Australia?
On 12 December 1817, Governor Lachlan Macquarie recommended to the British Colonial Office that the “Australia” be adopted as the name of the continent still being referred to as New Holland. Finally, in 1824, the British Admiralty agreed that the continent should be officially called Australia.
What was Australia called before 1901?
Before 1900, there was no actual country called Australia, only the six colonies – New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia. While these colonies were on the same continent, they were governed like six rival countries and there was little communication between them.
How many names has Australia had?
This book helped boost the popularity of the name Australia and until 1824 there was a mixed unofficial use of all three current names, Australia, Terra Australis and New Holland.
Which is the nickname of Australia?
Lucky Country
There are also a number of terms for Australia, such as: Aussie, Oz, Lucky Country, and land of the long weekend. Names for regions include: dead heart, top end, the mallee, and the mulga.
What is the new name of Australia?
The sovereign country Australia, formed in 1901 by the Federation of the six British colonies, is officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, abbreviated within the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act and the Constitution of Australia to “the Commonwealth”.
Who found Australia first?
explorer Willem Janszoon
While Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, and traded with nearby islanders, the first documented landing on Australia by a European was in 1606. The Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon landed on the western side of Cape York Peninsula and charted about 300 km of coastline.
How do Aussies say hello?
The most common verbal greeting is a simple “Hey”, “Hello”, or “Hi”. Some people may use Australian slang and say “G’day” or “G’day mate”. However, this is less common in cities. Many Australians greet by saying “Hey, how are you?”.
What do Aussies call mcdonalds?
Macca’s
In Australia, McDonald’s is often called “Macca’s,” a quirky nickname that the fast feeder has submitted to the Macquarie Dictionary for consideration in the next edition.