Australia, The Continent Of Sports

. One thing that many Australia travel visa holders would likely notice about the countrys people is their love for sports. Indeed, Australians love all kinds of sports, whether they be the ones participating in it or simply enjoying the actions from the stands. And this one has, in fact, become one of the most distinguishing features of Australian culture. There are many different kinds of sports that Australians play. However, one of the most popular here is cricket. In fact, in a survey conducted by an independent firm in 2007, almost sixty percent of the respondents listed cricket as the sport they are most interested in. This, in turn, has led for many to consider cricket as the countrys national sport, with almost equal participation in all states. For those not familiar with this one, cricket is somewhat similar to baseball, though played at a slower pace. Another popular sport in the country is Australian rules football. This one is basically the same with the other versions of football that you have probably encountered, though it has several rules that are uniquely Australian. On the other hand, two other football versions are also popular in here. Rugby enjoys a constant popularity among spectators, while soccer has received a renewed interest, especially with the close of the recent World Cup. Since Australia is surrounded by the ocean and since most of the countrys residents live near the coastal areas, it is not surprising that water sports are also a perennial favorite in the continent. Australia has been one of the top countries in the international swimming circuits fro many years now. Another popular water sport in the country is surfing, with many people trooping to the northern regions to ride the waves, though it is not uncommon for people of the southern coasts to also engage on the sport. Back on land, there are still many different Australian sports activities that are popular with both the young and old. Tennis, in particular, has, in recent years, almost rivaled the popularity of cricket as one of the popular spectator sports in the country. This one is bolstered by the fact that one of the major tournaments in the tennis circuit, the Australian Open, is held here regularly. Various other team sports are also played in in varying degrees, such as basketball and baseball. And for those looking for something that is a little bit more of an adrenaline rush. Australia is also an ideal place. The countrys varied terrains are great for cycling enthusiasts and will certainly test their skills. Kayaking, on the other hand is also a popular sport and recreational activity for people in the coast.