Australians are known for being open-hearted and open-minded and think that everyone has the right to a fair chance. This can be seen in the universal support for publicly funded health and education systems. Whether it's for a drink or dinner, celebrating with friends, family and the wider community around a shared table is an integral part of Australian culture. Australian authors have won many international awards and Australians are said to be one of the countries that spend the most per capita on books and magazines.
Australians and New Zealanders compete vigorously in areas such as sports, but cooperate closely in international relations. Of course, food, events, art and history are vital parts of Australian culture, but what really sets an Australian apart is their relaxed outlook on life. We recognize Aboriginal and traditional Torres Strait Islanders, who own the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognize their stewardship of culture and country for more than 60,000 years. Aboriginal artists were recognized in 1989 with a full exhibition of their art at the National Gallery of Australia.
Australian English probably originated as a combination of regional British dialects used by convict groups and others who arrived in the colonies. With thousands of wineries located in 65 beautiful wine regions and the rise of craft breweries and distilleries, many Australians use native botanical ingredients to create wines, beers and spirits that reflect their environment. In 1991, 70 percent of Australians lived in thirteen cities with more than 100,000 people and 39 percent of the population lived in Sydney and Melbourne. The participation of Australian and New Zealand troops (Anzac) in the First World War has been characterized as the symbolic birth of the nation.
The Australian outback is home to a variety of different landscapes, countless natural wonders, and deep connections to Aboriginal culture and communities. Australian chefs are known around the world for their fusion cuisine, a mix of European culinary traditions with Asian flavors and products. From the red sands of Uluru to the crystal clear blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests rich in flora and fauna, Australia has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, so it's no surprise that Australians love being outdoors. Australians tend to believe that socioeconomic mobility is possible and show basic tolerance and acceptance of inequality associated with social class.
Many indigenous Australians have embraced Christianity, often as a result of their contact with missionaries and missions.
