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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

Map of Australia comparing land area with other countries.

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  2. Australia and the world

Australia and the world

Learn about Australia’s roles and relationships in the world, including trade and economic development, defence and peacekeeping, and scientific and cultural collaboration.

Sub-themes

Theme

A group of people gathered on steps.

Africa

Discover records about Australia’s relationships with African nations.

Theme

Seven huskies towing a dogsled carrying two people and their supplies across.

Antarctica

Australia is responsible for part of the coldest, windiest and least hospitable continent in the world, as well as some of the ground-breaking scientific research that takes place there.

Theme

A Vietnamese woman holding a child

Asia and the Pacific

Discover records about Australia’s relationships in Asia and the Pacific region.

Theme

Evdokia Petrov being escorted to a waiting plane by diplomatic couriers

Cold War

The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991. In Australia it was marked by political stand-offs, the space race, spy rings and defections.

Theme

HRH Queen Elizabeth the 2nd and Sir Robert Menzies

Europe and the United Kingdom

Discover records about Australia’s relationships with European nations.

Theme

American president Lyndon B Johnson waving from his motorcade surrounded by a crowd.

North America

Discover records about Australia’s relationships with North American nations.

Theme

A football player evading an intercept during the World Cup match between Uruguay and Australia.

South America

Discover records about Australia’s relationships with South American nations.

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Archives of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

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