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Australia and its People › History
What is the significance of Matthew Flinders for Australia?
- He led the First Fleet to Australia
- He was the first Governor of New South Wales
- He circumnavigated Australia from 1801 to 1803 and was the first to use the name 'Australia' for the continent
Why this is the correct answer
Matthew Flinders completed his circumnavigation of Australia between 1801 and 1803, producing the first accurate maps of the entire coastline. His suggestion of the name 'Australia' was eventually adopted officially in 1817, replacing the older term 'New Holland'.