The frigate was stand up in the U.S. and admitted to the Australian Navy in 1980. During his 27-year career, the ship three times was in the Persian Gulf and has twice been in East Timor. Frigate «Adelaide» was officially decommissioned in 2008 due to reduced costs.

The idea to flood the ship offered non-governmental organization on the creation of artificial reefs Central Coast Artificial Reef Project (CCARP). The calculations predict additional revenue to local tourist operators in size from 2.4 to 23 million of Australian dollars a year.

Before flooding, the ship was cleared of environmentally harmful substances, on what was spent two million Australian dollars. However, some local residents were against flooding, claiming that the lead-based paint on the casing of the vessel in total weight is about three tons, which will have a negative impact on the ecological situation in the Gulf.

• to create an artificial reef (new ecosystem)
• for research
• recovery of fish stocks
• to promote tourism

During the past 10 years in Australia have been flooded several ships, including:

• Western Australia – HMAS Swan and HMAS Perth
• South Australia – HMAS Hobart
• Queensland – HMAS Brisbane
• Tasmania – The Troy D
• Victoria – HMAS Canberra
• New South Wales – HMAS Adelaide

The site of a flooded ship is already established , which has a lot of information about the project.

The first settlers in the region were the Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, who arrived here, according to various dating methods about 40000 – 65000 years ago. Later, after the arrival of European colonists in Queensland was established British colony, which became a separate administrative-territorial unit at June 6, 1859. This date is now celebrated annually as The Queensland Day.

The territory which is now occupied by the Brisbane, was originally a colony of Moreton Bay, designed to link back-convicted offenders who have committed a second offense in exile in New South Wales. Later, the state government began to encourage the establishment of the free settlement that today has led to the development of agriculture, tourism and natural resources.

Most of the state's population lives in South-East Queensland, which include the capital Brisbane, Logan City, Redland City, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Other important regional centers: Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Harvey Bay, Ingem and Mount Isa.

Informal name of the residents of Queensland is "Banana Benders", probably comes from the huge number of banana plantations in the tropics of the state.

Name

The state got its name in honor of Queen Victoria, who signed a decree establishing a new state in parts of New South Wales in June 6, 1859. Popular in those days, Victoria chose the name after himself. Cooksland, which offers local influential Presbyterian minister John Dunmore Lang – in honor of the English explorer James Cook. In honor of the queen was also named the southern Australian state of Victoria.

Queensland History

The history of the region goes back for thousands of years, including a long-aboriginal (pre-colonial) period and during colonization of Australia by European settlers. The first Australian Aborigines came to the region about 40,000 years ago, and the first navigators who investigated the north-east of Australia before it was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770 were Dutch, Portuguese and French. In June 2009, was marked by a 150-year anniversary of the state and its separation from New South Wales. Queensland was the scene of military clashes between natives and colonists, as well as one of the centers kanaka labor migration from the islands of Oceania.

Geography

Queensland Territory covers an area of 1.853 thousand sq km (second among states in the country). In upstate washed Gulf of Carpentaria and the Coral Sea Pacific Ocean in the east – the Pacific Ocean. In southern Queensland border with New South Wales, in the west – with the Northern Territory and South Australia.

The state capital Brisbane is located on the coast 100 km north of the border with New South Wales. In the state is Mount Isa – the fifth in size city in the world. The area of the city of more than 40,000 sq km. Queensland is divided into 11 major geographic regions and three smaller ones (Atherton, Granite Belt and Chennel Country) located in the extreme southwest of the state.

Queensland is rich in picturesque places of natural origin, such as: Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast having the best beaches in the State; Mountain Bath and the Great Dividing Range with numerous waterfalls, picnic areas and magnificent scenery, Carnarvon Gorge, Whitsunday Islands and the Isle of Hinchinbruk.

In the state of five protected areas of World Heritage sites: The Australian Reserve Riversleigh fossil mammals in the Gulf Country, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserve, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Climate

Due to the large size of the state of the climate in different parts of its territory is extremely diverse. Low rainfall and hot summers are typical for internal west monsoon 'wet' season for the extreme north and warm-temperate climate to the coastal strip. Temperature minimum is typical for the interior and southern districts of the state. The climate of the coastal strip is influenced by warm ocean waters, which results in the absence of extreme temperatures and constant moisture for precipitation.

There are five climatic zones are prevalent in Queensland, and differ in temperature and humidity:

• Hot humid summer (far north and the coast)
• Warm humid summer (coastal elevated hinterlands and coastal south-east)
• Hot, dry summer, mild winter (central west)
• Hot, dry summers, cold winters (south west)
• Moderately warm summers, cold winter (inland south-east, eg Granite Belt)

Nevertheless, most of the settlements in Queensland are subject to shifts of two seasons: "winter" with a predominance of warm temperatures and minimal rainfall and hot summer with high temperatures and high precipitation.

Officially recorded a maximum temperature in the state amounted to 49,5 ° C, Birdsville December 24, 1972 (amounting to a maximum of 53,1 ° C, Cloncurry 16 January 1889 was not recognized officially).

Minimum temperature of -10.6 ° C, Stanthorpe June 23, 1961, and The Hermitage 12 July 1965.

Demography

The bulk of the population lives outside the Queensland capital, which distinguishes it from other mainland states. At June 2004 the number of metropolitan population was 45.7% of the state's population, the country as a whole metropolitan population is 63.8% of the total population.

Christian: 70.9%:

• Roman Catholic: 24,9%
• Anglican: 22.3%
• United Church: 8,4%
• Lutheran: 2,1%
• Other: 13.2%

Not Christians: 2.3%

• Buddhists: 1.1%
• Muslims: 0.4%
• Hindus: 0.3%
• Jews: 0.1%
• Other: 0.4%

Unbelievers: 14.8%
Not reported: 12.0%

On December 9th 2005 the population of Queensland officially reached the mark of 4 million people. Queensland is the fastest growing states in Australia, which comes more than 1500 people a week, of which 1000 in the southern part of the state. According to projections, by the end of 2020 Queensland will become the second most populous state in Australia. According to the Cleveland Office of Economic and Statistical Research of the State's population at the end of 2007 there were 4,228,290 people, representing almost 20% of the total Australian population.

In 2007 the fertility rate in Queensland has reached 2.09, which was its highest level since 1977.

Economy

Queensland economy over the past 20 years, experienced a boom in tourism and mining. The large influx of Australian and overseas migrants, large amount of investment the federal government, the increase in mining and a growing aerospace sector provides the fastest economic growth among Australian states until the foreseeable future.

From 1992 to 2002, GDP growth has surpassed the Queensland performance of all other states and territories. During this period, the College of Queensland increased by 5.0% annually, while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Australia grew annually by an average of 3,9%.

In 2003, Brisbane had the lowest cost of living among all the state capitals of Australia. But already at the end of 2005, he became the third room stay among the state capitals after Sydney and Canberra, ahead of the cost of living in Melbourne for $ 15000.

The primary sector includes: growing bananas, pineapples, peanuts, a wide variety of other vegetables and fruits of temperate climate and tropical cereals, wine, livestock, cotton, sugar cane, wool and mining: bauxite, coal, silver, lead, zinc, gold and copper.

The secondary sector is essentially a further processing of the above products of the primary sector: bauxite from Waipu is processed into alumina at Gladstone. There are also copper refining and processing of sugarcane for sugar.

The main branches of the tertiary sector is retail trade and tourism.

Tourism

Tourism is the leading branch of the tertiary sector of the economy of Queensland. State of sunshine annually attracts millions of Australian and foreign tourists. Queensland – state of contrasts, consisting of a sunny tropical coastal areas, lush tropical forests and arid inland areas.

The main tourist attractions are:

    * Great Barrier Reef
    * Brisbane
    * Whitsunday (Airlie Beach, Uaytheven Beach, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island)
    * Gold Coast
    * Far North Queensland (Cairns, Port Douglas, Deintri)
    * North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island
    * Sunshine Coast
    * North Queensland (Townsville, Magnetic Island)
    * Harvi-Bey/ostrov Fraser

Queensland Gold Coast is sometimes called the "capital of Australia's Theme Parks" for its five major amusement parks:

    * Wet 'n Wild
    * Drimuorld
    * Movie-World
    * Sea World
    * Whitewater World

There are also wildlife parks, including:

    Gold Coast:

            * Wildlife Sanctuary "Currumbin" in Currumbin
            * Wildlife Park David Fliya in Burleigh Heads

    Sunshine Coast:

            * Aquarium of the Underwater World in Mooloolaba
            * Australia Zoo Steve Irwin's name near Beerwah / Glashauz Mountains (Steve Irwin's house until his death on September 4, 2006)

    Brisbane:

            * Lone Pine Koala in Fig Tree Pocket
            * Brisbane Forest Park in The Gap
            * Alma Park Zoo in Dakabine

    To the north of Brisbane:

            * Wildlife Sanctuary "Kambartcho"

Hotel accommodation in Queensland is about 22% of the total tourist expenditure, followed by restaurants / meals (15%), airfare (11%), fuel (11%), and a shopping / buying gifts (11%).

Transport

Queensland passes through a number of national highways, particularly through South-East Queensland are such high-quality highway as M1.

The main railway companies are Queensland Rail and Pacific National predominantly serving the coastal ports, including the Brisbane port and auxiliary ports of Gladstone and Townsville.

Brisbane Airport is the principal in the state to international and domestic air travel. Airports Gold Coast and Cairns are the two sleduyuschimim meaningfully to service international flights. Other regional airports served by an internal message: Great Barrier Reef, Harvey Bay, Mackay, Mount Isa, Prozerpayn / Whitsunday Coast, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Townsville.

Passenger movement in South-East Cleveland carried out a comprehensive public transport system TransLink, consisting of bus, rail and ferry services. Also there is a regional bus network and rail links with other states. In most regional centers are bus stations.

Governance

The executive branch is represented by the Governor, who is appointed and Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Prime Minister. At the moment, the post of governor is Mrs Penelope WENSLEY, AO. Head of Government – Prime Minister appointed by the governor with mandatory approval of the Legislature. Prime minister at the moment is Anna Bligh, representing the Australian Labor Party. Other ministers, the Executive Council, appointed by the Governor from among the members of the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Queensland Parliament or the Legislative Assembly is unicameral. Queensland – the only Australian state with a unicameral legislature. Bicameral system existed until 1922, when the Legislative Council was abolished by the Labour members of the team of suicide ", so named because of the fact that they have appointed to vote for the abolition of their posts and positions.

The judicial system of Queensland consists of the Supreme and District Court approved in accordance with the Constitution of Queensland, as well as various other courts and tribunals, approved by ordinary Acts of Parliament of Queensland.

In 2001 Queensland adopted a new codified constitution, repealing most of the different Acts of Parliament were part of the old constitution. The new constitution entered into force on 6 June 2002, the anniversary of the signing of letters by Queen Victoria on the formation of the colony of Queensland in 1859.

Universities

• Australian Catholic University (Brisbane Campus)
• Queensland University of Technology
• Bond University
• Griffith University
• James Cook University
• University of Queensland
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Central Queensland
• University of Southern Queensland

"Oz" as it is affectionately called by the locals, is remarkable not only for its remoteness from the rest of the world, but a completely different culture, nature, flora and fauna. That there is one contemplation so like a big teddy "bear" phlegmatic koalas. This is perhaps the world's only bear, which can safely pat, do not fear for their health. However, it is no wonder – because the koala, in fact, jointly not bear, a marsupial, like kangaroos. If we talk about the famous skipjack kangaroo – it's an animal, of course, is a symbol of the continent, and was awarded an honorary place on the Australian flag. This funny animal can jump to decent heights with its very impressive size and weight, approximately equal to the weight of the person.

Choosing a holiday in Australia, you choose a journey into another world, where everything is like in the mirror. In January – summer, in July – the snow. Looking at the night sky, you will not see with childhood familiar to you the stars. Here is quite different, equator picture of the sky.

Australian standard of living is very high. In September 2009, Forbes magazine declared it one of the top ten rated the reliability and attractiveness of the economies. Australia is the third Human Development Index of 170 countries. It is also noteworthy that education in Australia is now one of the most popular and prestigious in the world. Therefore, you will be pleased and interested to meet and may even make friends with local residents, able to communicate in a variety of topics.

Cote d'Azur, golden sand, blue lagoons and beautiful wave – all this you'll find a short drive from the bustling and crowded metropolis. After all, the coastline in this country – the biggest in the world. Hundreds and thousands of surfers and divers from around the world tend to visit this magnificent country, which can be called a paradise for water sports. Visit the Great Barrier Reef – one of the wonders of nature, length 2,030 km, consisting of 3,000 coral islands, banks and lagoons, amazing novichkovpodvodnikov and experienced divers. Many tourists who see the reef from the surface of the ocean, learn diving right in Australia to remember this for a long time with nothing comparable, the world's oldest reef.

Come to Australia – a country on the contrary, the country of stunning contrasts. You will enjoy here!

    * The quality of teaching at the level of world standards
    * Effective original techniques
    * Highly qualified teachers
    * Wide range of educational programs
    * Excellent climate and favorable ecological conditions
    * High level of comfort against the backdrop of an exotic nature
    * Friendly people
    * Favorable price for tuition and accommodation

 Language Schools in Australia and New Zealand differ in a modern technical equipment. It offers students modern language laboratories, computer rooms and libraries with departments of multimedia.

Educational programs can combine learning with sightseeing and sports. Courses provide an opportunity to see the country and have a good rest. You will enjoy the quality of education, unique nature, wonderful beaches and numerous monuments of culture of these amazing countries.

Studying in Australia can take the following cities: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Perth. Education in New Zealand can enter the language centers in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. Learn English in Australia and New Zealand can both children and adults with any level of language proficiency. You can start to learn English, prepare for the exam IETLS, ESOL, or pull up your skills for further education. You can also get training in Australia for specialized business education programs and receive certificates and diplomas. The training programs include homestays or campus.

Give you a choice of several English language courses available at the school. Upon successful completion of training you will receive the appropriate certificate, which certifies your level of progress in learning this foreign language. Jobs in Australia Students who arrived in Australia on the program "Work and Study in Australia" are allowed to work no more than 20 hours per week. School where the student learns English, helps find work in the field of hospitality and tourism. So you are at work can improve their skills in English. Typical jobs for Russian students: An administrator at the hotel, waiter, bar staff, cleaner, peddler in the kitchen. Wages for such work range from 12 to 18 Australian dollars per hour depending on the job. Living in Australia for students, who arrived in Australia on the program "Work and Study in Australia" is available with a choice of accommodation: in families, apartments and dormitories. If you live in the apartments you can choose one or double room. Naturally, the cost, depending on the place of residence varies. Cost of the program Work and Study in Australia now list the cost of services, which you will need to pay to join the program "Work and Study in Australia". The cost will be given in Australian dollars. Registration fee – 200; selection of the employer – 395; teaching English language courses – 280 per week (minimui training should last for 3 months), the consular fee – 8600 USD; medical insurance – 95 (taken from the calculation of three months of arrival, if more, then must pay). Plus, the flight to Australia. The program "Work and Study in Australia"? it's a good chance to master the English language and close to know Australia. We should add that in Australia fairly liberal immigration laws. If your profession will be in the list of professions in which this country needs, and your skills will be high enough, then you have every chance to go to work in Australia. And by the way, there are going citizenship after 4 years of residence in this country. And it all begins with "Work and Study in Australia"!

• Where did you meet?
• What do you do now?
• What are your plans for when you are in Australia?
• When are you intending on moving to Australia?
• Does your sponsor live with you now?
• What will you do for work once in Australia?
• What are the daily duties within your household?
• Who contributes to the daily spendings?

• My name, date of birth?
• Husbands name, date of birth?
• Does he has any brothers or sisters?
• What he is doing for living, what kind of job?
• When and were we met?
• How our relationship begin?
• Why we decided to get married?
• What will I do when I come to Australia?
• Who is supporting me now? (I am waiting visa here in Croatia, he is in Australia)
• How many times were I in Australia?
• Have I met my husbands relatives?
• How we are in contact,now when we are apart from each other?

The best places to travel around Australia (according to the American Frommer's guidebook)

1. Traveling by train from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific through the Australian desert.
This is (a total of 4352 km or 2,700 miles) a three-day trip from Sydney via Adelaide to Perth (or vice versa) regularly ranked in the lists of the best world travel by train. Comfortable train take you on a desert plain Nullarbor (Nullarbor), which is laid along the longest in the world direct rail gauge (its length is 478 km. (Or 300 miles)). You will see the magnificent landscapes of what is called the Australian outback, pristine and boundless nature.

2. Sydney

Sydney is Australia's largest city and one of the largest metropolises of the world. There are many attractions and places worth visiting. Sydney is very beautiful -there are no such a number of banks and so picturesque harbor in any other city.

3. Great Barrier Reef

This place – «must do», if you come to Australia for the first time: Reef definitely worth a visit. Moreover, the climate change on Earth threatens this very large coral formation in the world by total disappearance in the next 100 years: forecasts ecologists disappointing. Scuba diving with scuba mask will open a lot of amazing experiences, not only for beginners, but experienced divers.

4. Australian rainforest

The inhabitants of megalopolises, for sure, enjoy the ferns, neon blue butterflies and the primitive world of the rainforest, where preserved to this day plants, which in other places can be found only in the form of fossils. Explore the rainforest, as the Australians call it, it is best for off-road, military vehicles, amphibians, or enjoy its views from the height of the funicular.

5. Travel by boat to the Whitsundays

In this journey, even those who had never run a ship can go alone. It is only necessary to charter a yacht, take instruction and then sent to investigate any of 74 beautiful islands. It's easy. Get up to anchor to a deserted bays to swim, fish for trout (fishing is allowed here) and then sail to the wind.

6. Uluru

Travel a thousand miles to look at the big red rock Aires Rock (Ayers Rock), a language Aboriginal – Uluru, is worth it. This mountain, according to local legend, gives a person strength. This 348-foot orange-brown oval-shaped rock was formed about 648 million years ago. It is located in the north of Australia, 450 km from the town of Alice Springs. Its length – 3,6 km, width – about 3 km, and the base is indented caves decorated with ancient rock paintings and carvings. At 50 km from the reserve Uluru is the rock around the Olgas, a second rock formation, which has great significance for Aboriginal culture and more mystical.

7.Understanding the culture of Australian Aborigines
Native Australian residents now make up about 2,4% of the total population of the continent.Aborigines call people from different tribes, speaking different languages and having different cultures. To penetrate into their traditions, learn the myths and magic rituals is one of the most enigmatic of opportunities for inquisitive travelers.

8. Kimberley, Western Australia
At the edge of the continent, Australia is a region called the Kimberley. People who pass the first time, can not find words to express their admiration. This is one of the favorite places of photographers here outstanding natural beauty – the sea, red mountain ranges, waterfalls. On its territory Kimberly took three times more than England, but there is only one way.People here mostly live on the ranch and only three cities can boast a population of more than 2000 people. But on the whole territory inhabited by approximately 38,000. This is where you really see this warning "The last bar for the next 900 km", such tablets are often sold in souvenir shops. This place gives forget about overpopulation of the planet and feel like a pioneer.

9. Rafting on the Tully River Mountain

One of the most difficult routes for the fans of extreme alloys, and the stunning beauty of the place – steep rapids and waterfalls surrounded by rich colors of the rainforest. This journey can be done only with professional guides, otherwise it is quite dangerous.

10. Flowering Period in Western Australia

Imagine Texas, much of kilometers covered with wildflowers. That's what a majority of Western Australia each spring – approximately from August to October, when there bloom pink, purple, red, white, yellow and blue flowers. Australians themselves are very fond of this time, so hotels and flights here better to book in advance.

11. Wine Tour in the Barossa Valley

This is one of the four largest Australian wine valleys and it's the most beautiful valley. It is located less than one hour journey from Adelaide. Restaurants in Adelaide, by the way, too, deserve special attention – here you can try traditional culinry with local wine, which is really good.

12. Horse riding in the Snowy Mountains

There are a lot of temptations in the highest mountains of Australia – Snowy Mountains. We recommend you to go to the mountains for a couple of days and explore them on horseback, making a stopover for the night at the camp.

13. Great Ocean Road

This 106-kilometer coastal road that runs along the south-western Victoria, will allow you to visit the wild and stunning in their beauty the banks, drive past forests, cliffs and rocks, including rock, the Twelve Apostles. Travel can be make on a car, motorbike or coach.

The main problem for travelers in Sydney is embrace the boundless. In addition to the indispensable Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, the zoo in this city there are so many interesting things. We recommend some of the most interesting sights of Sydney. So there are tourist information:

Opera House

Harbour Sydney

Sydney Tower – It is the tallest building in the whole Southern Hemisphere. The giant steel pole height of more than 300 meters. The observation deck at the top of the tower can be reached by elevator for those who like walking will be a challenge to conquer the tower stairs, consisting of 1,504 steps. After reaching the top, you can see all the great Sydney and even the Blue Mountains.

Argyle – Stylish lounge bar located in the old part of Sydney, one of the survivors of the first buildings in the city. It's all very respectable: all-male guests are dressed in costumes. There are much people always: on weekdays and on weekends. For the representative travellers – the best option pleasant acquaintances with the local culture and people. Several rooms, interesting interior and a good cocktail menu. On Sundays – from 5 to 9 pm – play music. Music: funk, nu-jazz, disco and downtempo.

Chinese garden - The perfect place for rest and contemplation. The largest Chinese garden outside China, where experts-horticulturists from the Chinese province of Guangdong have created everything according to strict canons of Garden Design V century.

Observatory Sydney – Mandatory item for those who have never seen the sky in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the main museum of astronomy of the country, equipped with modern and historic telescopes. Best time to visit – evening (from 20:00 to 22:00). During the day there is sense to look into the space of 3-D theater and see the starry view.

IMAX Sydney – In Sydney you can watch movies on the world's largest screen, tall with eight-house, ten times larger in size conventional movie screen. The edges of the screen beyond the peripheral vision viewers. Canadian IMAX technology is optimized for viewing 3D-movie and provides the best "presence effect".

St Mary's Cathedral – The huge structure made of sandstone, the most impressive temple in Sydney was built in 1821 for Irish prisoners. The fire destroyed the building and now building is on reconstructure. This should come to admire the stained glass windows and feel the Romano-Catholic spirit. If you are lucky, you can get to the wedding. Couples send a petition to marry them no less than six months. But what then the ceremony. And on Sundays during the mess you can come here to listen to men's choir sing in 70. Very nice.

Sydney Aquarium – One of the best aquariums in the world. Two giant aquarium – one with the sharks, the other with the seals – and special paths through them for visitors make it possible to feel like Alice in Wonderland underwater. A separate section is devoted to the Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants: if you cann't get to the coral islands of North Queensland, it is imperative to look here. During the week and the day is calm and no queues. Aquarium is working late – until 22:00, but the Department of seals in summer closed at 19:00.

Taronga Zoo Sydney