The Aborigines

The native people of Australia are called Aborigines. The name comes from ab-origine and means 'since the beginning'. It is not clear when Aborigines first arrived at the island but it is known that they have been living on the island since at least 40.000 years. And the immigration flow to the island finished nearly 20.000 years ago. Aborigines kept distance with the other immigrants for a long time and embraced a migratory life style. They developed themselves by time and lived on hunting. Before the whites arrived at the island (at 18th century), their population was over 200.000 and they were used to speak around 200 languages. Most of these languages and the people who spoke these do not live anymore.

As the immigration started from Europe to Australia at the end of the 18th century, the number of imported diseases increased, wars started between the immigrants and the natives, the food and hygiene standard decreased and as a result, the number of Aborigines reduced dramatically. The biggest recession was at the east and south coasts where most of the immigrants settled down. The natives who remained alive, ended up at having to move away from their homes.

The stream of immigration to Australia started in 1788. Initially England's plan was using the island as an open air prison but by time the possibilities that Australia could offer, attracted the investors and the amount and quality of the immigrants increased significantly.