Why Australia is "a country riding on a sheep's back" and "a country sitting on a mine cart"

Australia’s natural conditions are suitable for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Moreover, the number of Australian sheep is unmatched by other countries in the world, and it is known as the "country riding on the back of sheep". Australia is rich in mineral resources, and many of its mineral reserves rank among the highest in the world. It has the reputation of "the country sitting on the mine cart".

Australia

Because of the developed animal husbandry

The first batch of immigrants to Australia brought more than 20 sheep...

Because Australia's grasslands are widespread and the central basin has many artesian wells, which are suitable for the development of animal husbandry, animal husbandry has developed rapidly

Now there are 20 times more sheep in Australia than people

Since the 18th Since the introduction of Merino sheep from Spain at the end of the century, Australia's sheep farming industry has developed rapidly. In recent years, the total number of sheep of all types has remained at around 160 million. The output and export volume of sheepskin and wool rank first in the world.

Except for the central desert and northern tropical regions, most areas in Australia are suitable for the development of sheep farming. Australian sheep account for more than 1/4 of the world's total output, and the annual sheepskin export volume reaches 5 million. It is known as "a country riding on the back of a sheep". There are approximately 70,000 wool production sites in Australia. The flocks vary in size, ranging from a few hundred to more than 100,000. Flocks of more than 3,000 sheep account for about 75% of the total sheep flock.