One of the most recognized symbols of Australia, the Opera House in Sydney with its beautiful roof evocative of a ship at full sail includes 1000 rooms, conducts 3000 events each year and provides guided tours to over 200,000 people annually. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon after he won a competition held by the government of New South Wales to find the best design for the Opera House and is as representative of Australia as the pyramids are of Egypt or the Colosseum of Rome.
Australia’s national animal is of course the kangaroo, as we all know. It is the most iconic animal and can be found all over the country, from parts with a cold climate to desert plains, tropical rainforests and beaches. Apart from attracting wide-eyed tourists, these marsupials are also essential to the survival of Australia’s indigenous people who hunt them for their meat and skin. What started out in 1959 in response to interest from the European game meat industry has now developed into a thriving market that exports kangaroo meat and skin all over the world (though live export is prohibited except inter-zoo exchanges and the kind) and contributes significantly to the Australian economy.