Harry Potter Overseas?

This may just be jealousy of Europeans, but what about countries like America and Australia? Are there wizards there? The only schools to participate in the Triwizard Tournament were in Europe. There are no overseas countries being represented in Hogwarts. What are your thoughts?

A group of Americans were mentioned.
I don't remember anything about Australia.

JK was asked about that and she was very firm about sticking with what she knew - Brit/Europe. She was also adamant with Warner that the actors be British.

Can you find anything on Africa and South America? I can't believe I missed the group of Americans.

There were all of those nationalities mentioned in the Quidditch World Cup chapters....(of course there are wizards all over the world!)
Also it was mentioned in DH that it used to be common for graduates to visit other wizards abroad before settling down into a carrer.

mmmmm a little research might have done the trick -- not to be critical, but things we don't know about can be learned . . .

I got the feeling - nothing factual mind you - that she was very proud that her country was getting some limelight - I do think us yanks probably do get quite enough

Yes we do. I certainly don't have a problem with her doing it -- it's just that nothing is really beyond our reach -- if you want to reach .

I'm Australian. I think the only mention of Australia is that Hermione had sent her parents there where they would be safe and out of the way.

I had not noticed the 'Eurocentric' sentiment discussed above.
Most books I read are not based on Australia and this doesn't concern me one way or another.

I think because us Australians are used to 'not being in the limelight' it really doesn't register where a book, tv show or movie is written. If the story is good, if the characters are intriguing... That's all that should matter.

on a side note, I find it frustrating when I get used to a British comedy or drama, and then it is copied by the Americans, using American actors & writers etc. in Australia we get both versions shown to us. Men Behaving Badly and the Office are prime examples of this. the Brit versions are less sanitised and funnier. but maybe, we're more understanding of the British sensibilities.

second side note - mcD - the pictures of Lupin, Snape and McGonagall are simply perfect.

I want the less sanitised and funnier versions! And my own side note - if JK had written for Americans - her editor would probably have taken all the firewhiskey out of it - I LOVED Hagrid asking molly for a drink for "medicinal purposes"!