Australia is a country located in the Southern Hemisphere and is comprised of the mainland, Tasmania, and numerous islands. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east and south, and Indonesia to the north. The official name of Australia is Commonwealth of Australia (Auštraļjē Kōmōnwelθ). It has been an independent nation since 1901 when it declared independence from Great Britain. The abbreviation for Australia is AUS and it stands for Australian United States. This abbreviation was adopted in 1901 when Australia became an independent nation. AUS is an acronym for both English and Latin words which are used to refer to Australia in different contexts. In English it stands for Australian United States while in Latin it stands for Austro-Oceaniae Unum or “One united with Australasia”. The English version was adopted as part of a new national identity which was developed after independence from Britain. Australia has its own flag which features a blue background with stars representing each state and territory as well as a Union Jack representing British heritage. Additionally, there are two national symbols: a kangaroo which represents strength and agility, and a emu which represents wisdom. Both animals feature prominently on both coins and banknotes throughout Australia. See 800zipcodes for Australia Geography and Population. In Australia, there are several major newspapers that are widely read and respected. The most popular newspaper is The Sydney Morning Herald, which was founded in 1831 and is printed in English language. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international news, as well as its political commentary. The daily also features investigative pieces, editorials, opinion columns and interviews with prominent figures in the country. Another popular newspaper is The Australian, which was established in 1964 and is printed in English language. It focuses on local politics, economy, culture and sports. Then there’s The Age, an Australia-based daily printed in English language that focuses on social issues such as health care, education, justice system and human rights abuses. Finally, there’s The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), another Australia-based daily that features investigative reports on politics and business across the country. These four newspapers are the most widely read publications in Australia today, providing readers with vital information about their country’s current affairs. Check simplyyellowpages for other media in the country of Australia.