The history of Australia is full of adventures and mysteries. The unknown land began to excite the minds of Europeans long before its discovery. This is a continent of amazing wildlife, a unique human race, gold and hope. The book tells the story of the country's transformation from a place of exile for thieves and murderers into one of the most prosperous in the world. Epochs of great maritime discoveries and no less great, sometimes tragic, human destinies shaped the special character of the Australian nation. Here, millions of people persecuted by the cruel events of the 20th century found salvation, including our compatriots. For many it became the “promised land”. According to the author, today's Australia is one of the centers of formation of a new unified world culture of the future.