It’s Australia Day, so let’s take a second to appreciate all things Down Under

Today is Australia Day, so we’re honoring the awesomeness of a country so far away, and yet, so close to our wildly beating hearts. Here is a brief, and by no means complete, list of reasons to celebrate the people, the culture, the geography and the crazy-amazing animals from Down Under.

Aussie Rules Football. It gets nuts.

Australia was the second country in the world to allow women to vote in 1902. New Zealand was the first.

Kangaroos, Koalas, Platypus &Wombats!!! Did you know male platypuses are venomous? Just something to keep in mind.

Australia has the largest population of camels with one hump on the planet. Saudi Arabia imports camels from Australia!

Rebel Wilson, Rose Byrne, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, the Hemsworth brothers, Portia de Rossi. Thank you, Australia!

The cleanest air in the world is found in Tasmania.

Fairy Bread … This sweet Australian snack has an adorably whimsical name. It’s white bread, smeared with butter and covered with hundreds and thousands, that’s Australian for sprinkles.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living structure. 

Yes, the Tasmanian Devil is real. And, its jaw is as strong as a crocodile’s! It’s kinda cute, though, right?

More than 200 different languages and dialects are spoken in Australia — including 45 indigenous languages!

Australia is the birthplace of Ugg boots … Ugg is a generic term for the inside out sheepskin boots in Australia and New Zealand. Yeah, we love our Uggs, and we’re not ashamed to say it. So thanks, Australia! Keep doing your thing.

(All images via Tumblr)