Famous places and events in Australia, Canada, and elsewhere
オーストラリアやカナダなどにある有名な場所やイベント
Australian Aboriginees
The dark-skinned Australian natives came to the island-continent between 75000 and 100000 years ago. These dates are still debated. They formed a unique culture recognized today by the iconic imagery of the didgerydoo and boomerang. With 510,000 Aboriginees living in Australia today, they make up about 2.5% of the population.
Ayers Rock / Uluru
Ayers Rock is one of the iconic images of Australia. It is a sandstone mount that glows red at dawn and dusk. Around Ayers Rock are water springs and ancient pantings. It stands 348 meters high over a flat plain. The Aborigines call this rock Uluru.
Hockey
Hockey is Canada's (unofficial?) national sport. It is played on an ice rink. Because Canada is very cold in the winter, hockey is a popular sport the Canadians are very good at.
The Inuit People
Just as Japan has the Ainu people, there is a group of Arctic-dwelling natives in North America as well. The Inuit are a proud race who have long desired a certain degree of autonomy. In the 1990's, they got their wish--Nunavut territory in Canada. As residents of the Arctic Circle, they also reside in Russia, Alaska (USA), and Denmark. They have a unique culture that helps them survive the cold of the region.
Canadian Moose
Australia has the kangaroo; America has the bald eagle; Japan has the tanuki... and Canada has the moose. This relative of the deer is one of the largest animals in Canada, if not the largest.
Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter
Steve Irwin is someone who inspired me. It used to be that whenever there was nothing on TV, you could bet that the Crocodile Hunter television show was on. Steve is from Australia and grew up working at the Australia Zoo. He was always very passionate about animals.
He is most famous for wrestling with huge crocodiles, playing with dangerous snakes, and dying in 2006 due to an angry stingray. However, his best work was raising awareness for conservation. He lived his passion, and that is worthy of respect. Crikey!
He is most famous for wrestling with huge crocodiles, playing with dangerous snakes, and dying in 2006 due to an angry stingray. However, his best work was raising awareness for conservation. He lived his passion, and that is worthy of respect. Crikey!
Other English-Speaking Countries
Bahamas
The Bahamas are a string of tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea between Florida and Cuba. It was a stopover for pirates and for ships taking slaves from Africa to Brazil and the British colonies in America. Most of the native population today are descended from those transported slaves. The islands are a very popular destination for resort travel.
Barbados
Barbados is a one-island nation in the Caribbean just north of South America. It was visited by the Spanish and later the Portuguese. Eventually, the English lay claim to the island as a British colony. It has since gained independence and exists as a British commonwealth nation. One of the most developed islands in the region, Barbados is a very popular tourist destination.
Belize
Belize is a Central American country with many contrasts. Although it has the lowest population in the region, it has the highest growth rate. Although Spanish and native Kriol languages are commonly spoken, it is the only Central American country to have English as its official language. Although tourism is a mainstay industry, oil production has started to rise in importance.
Cameroon
Just some of the many Baka who live in Cameroon
Cameroon is a Central African Republic where people speak both French and English. I think you might enjoy to hear this: one of the ethnic groups in Cameroon is the Baka people. Yes, they are all Baka. What wonderful Baka they must be, the Baka people. They speak the language called Baka. The Baka people probably go to Baka schools with Baka teachers to teach the Baka students the Baka language. Anyway... After World War 1, Cameroon was divided between the French and the British. The French half became independent in 1960, and it merged with the British half in 1961. Now, the Republic of Cameroon is one of the most stable nations in Africa.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia in central East Africa is one of the cradles of humanity. Some of the oldest records of human existence have been found there. Ethiopia is the spiritual home for Rastifarianism, and until the 1980's, there was a significant Ethiopian Jewish population there.
India
India is the second largest country by population in the world with 1,200,000,000 people! In my senior year of college, I lived with two guys from India who were both very interesting. English is spoken alongside the local Hindi language, which you can hear in lots of amusing Bollywood music videos and movies. You probably know some of India's foods: curries, tandoori chicken, saag paneer, and (our favorite) naan.
At college, my friends and I would go out to eat at an Indian restaurant very close to our house. There would always be Indian music videos playing in the restaurant, and we would always order naan. When it came, we would make jokes like, 「Naanだよこれ」 or 「Naanだと?!」.
At college, my friends and I would go out to eat at an Indian restaurant very close to our house. There would always be Indian music videos playing in the restaurant, and we would always order naan. When it came, we would make jokes like, 「Naanだよこれ」 or 「Naanだと?!」.
Jamaica
Jamaica is the third-largest English-speaking country in the Americas. Italian explorer Christopher Columbus arrived there in 1494. From that time, the Spanish claimed the island and called it Santiago. Jamaica eventually became a British colony in 1655. Today it is an independent commonwealth monarchy famous for steel drums, Rastafarianism, and a fun and laid-back attitude. Take it easy, mon.
Kenya
The birthplace of President Obama's father, Kenya is also one of the cradles of human civilization. Famous for its wildlife national parks and safaris, it is a popular tourist destination. It has deep lakes and tall mountains and a beautiful seaside. Kenya produces the most GDP in Africa and some of the best athletes from the continent.
Nigeria
Humans have lived in Nigeria since 11,000 years ago. It is a country with rich history and a violent present. It is the most populated country in Africa, 7th most populated in the world, and most populated country in which most of the population is black. The Spanish and Portuguese began trading with Nigerians, but it was Britain that claimed it as a colony. Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
Pakistan
The region forming modern Pakistan was the site of several ancient cultures including the bronze era Indus Valley Civilisation. Subsequently it was the recipient of Hindu, Persian, Indo-Greek, Islamic, Turco-Mongol, Afghan and Sikh cultures through several invasions and/or settlements. As a result, the area has remained a part of numerous empires and dynasties including the Indian empires, Persian empires, Arab caliphates, Mongol, Sikh, and British Empire. Pakistan gained independence from the British Empire in 1947. In 1956 Pakistan became an Islamic republic. Today, Pakistani English is spoken alongside the native Urdu language.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is one of the most unknown and rural modern nations. It has over 875 native languages and ethnic groups, derived from mostly isolated tribes living in the mountains. Today, most people speak Tok Pisin, or Pidgin English, a mix of English, German, and native tongues. The tribes of New Guinea are known for their unique cultures, evocative dances, and colorful festive garments.
Philippenes
The Phillippenes are an island naiton south of Japan with the world's 12th largest population of 94,000,000 people. The Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on the islands in 1521. Spain held some form of dominance over the islands until the Spanish-American War. After World War 2 (第二大戦争), the Phillippenes gained independence from the US. It is estimated that over a million Filipinos died during World War 2 during the Japanese occupation and the American invasion. Today English is spoken with the native Filipino language.
Singapore
Singapore was once a British colony and is now one of the busiest trading places in the world la. It is one of the world's five busiest ports and the largest transportation hub in the world la. They speak with a unique mixture of Chinese and English la. Their government has also been considered to be too restrictive of individual freedoms la. It is hot and humid there all year-round la. Oh, and they have a habit of ending their sentences with "la" la.
I think it's pretty funny la.
I think it's pretty funny la.
South Africa
Like many places in the world, South Africa is a country with a difficult recent history caused by British colonisation. It struggled through a difficult history of racial apartheid in which Nelson Mandela became a rising figure for human rights. Today, South Africa has a diverse population that speaks 11 official languages. It has the largest economy in Africa. South Africa also has a history dating back to the beginning of human civilization. Some of the oldest hominid fossils have been discovered there.