高中三年级英语(人教版)全一册 Unit 3 Integrating Skills 1

　　AUSTRALIA

　　Australia is as old as time. It was probably once connected to South America, but the continents separated as the earth's plates moved. Having been separated from other continents for millions of years, Australia has many plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. One strange animal lays eggs, yet feeds its young on its milk. Kangaroos and koala bears give birth to very small and weak young. They are then carried in a pocket of skin for several months while they feed on the mother's milk and grow stronger. There are many kinds of birds in Australia, and over 140 species of snakes, many of which are extremely dangerous.

　　Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. From north to south the distance is 3,220 km, and from east to west about 4,000 km. In area it is approximately the same size as the USA (without Alaska), which, however, has more than fourteen times as many people. Today about 85% of the Australian population of 20 million live in the six major cities around the coast. Two-thirds of the country is dry or desert.

_小精灵 儿童网