Australia is both the name of the worlds smallest continent,
and the short form of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The Commonwealth of Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, the only one to occupy an entire continent, and is generally considered the largest member of Oceania with New Zealand to the southeast; Papua New Guinea, West Papua and East Timor to its north, and Indonesia northwest. The name 'Australia' comes from the Latin phrase terra australis incognita ("unknown southern land").
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| National motto: None | ||||
| Official language | English | |||
| Capital | Canberra | |||
| Queen | Elizabeth II | |||
| Governor-General | Peter Hollingsworth | |||
| Prime Minister | John Howard | |||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 6th 7,686,850 km2 1% | |||
| Population
- Density | Ranked 53rd
3/km2 | |||
| Independence - Date | From the UK January 1, 1901 | |||
| Currency | Australian dollar | |||
| Time zone | UTC +8 to +11 | |||
| National anthem | Advance Australia Fair | |||
| Internet TLD | .AU | |||
| Calling Code | 61 | |||
| Worldwide press freedom index | Ranked 12 out of 139 countries (2 way tie) | |||
History
Main article: History of Australia
Other topics: Australian Constitutional History, Australian Prime Ministers
Australia has been inhabited for about 53,000 years, when the remote ancestors of the current Australian Aborigines arrived from present-day Southeast Asia. The land was not discovered by Europeans until the 17th century, when it was sighted and visited by several expeditions. It was claimed for the United Kingdom in 1770, and first colonised in 1788, including a large group of English convicts.
In 1901, Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire, thereby becoming independent (though full independence on all issues took considerable time after that). Australia is a Constitutional monarchy, with a 'Queen of Australia' reigning as head of state. Under Australian law, the monarch of the United Kingdom reigns also as Australian monarch. A referendum to introduce a republic, with a president replacing the queen, failed in 1999.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Australia
Other topics: Foreign relations of Australia, Military of Australia, Republic Advisory Committee.
The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional monarchy, a republic government using the Queen of Australia as ther offical head of state though that office is occupied and opperated by the Governor General appointed by the government. Executive power theoretically vested in the Australian Crown is exercised by the elected cabinet headed by a prime minister. The prime minister is usually the leader of the party that wins the elections for the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives (150 seats) is one of the two chambers of the parliament, the other being the Senate (76 seats). Elections for both chambers are held every three years.
States and Territories
Main article: Australian States and Territories
Australia is divided into a number of states and territories. The states are Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, while the territories, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.
Australia also has an additional minor internal territory, Jervis Bay Territory (a naval base in New South Wales), several inhabitated external territories (Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and several largely uninhabited external territories: Coral Sea Islands Territory, Heard Island and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.
The Australian Capital Territory was created at the chosen site of the capital city Canberra. Canberra was founded as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, who both demanded to become the capital city.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Australia
Other topics: Protected areas of Australia
The largest part of Australia is desert or semi-desert - 40% of the landmass is covered by sand dunes - but the southeast has a temperate climate and moderately fertile plains. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, and is partially grown with tropical rainforests. Offshore from the northeastern coast is the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef.
Flora and Fauna
Main articles: Australian native animals-- Australian native plants -- Rabbit invasion in Australia
Although most of the continent is desert or semi-desert, Australia also includes a very diverse range of habitats, from alpine heaths to tropical jungles. Because of the great age of the continent, its very variable weather patterns, and its long-term geographic isolation, much of Australia's biota is unique.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Australia
Other topics: Australian dollar
Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. The Australian economy has been resilient in the face of the global economic downturn in 2001 chalking up 2.3% GDP growth, as the domestic economy is offsetting the external slump and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Canberra's emphasis on reforms is a key factor behind the economy's strength, and Australia is expected to outperform its trading partners in 2002, with GDP growth projected to be 3% or better. Australia probably will experience some weakness in mid-2002 as its business cycle tends to lag the US by about six months, and larger problems could emerge if Australia's trade position worsens.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Australia
Other topics: Communications in Australia, Transportation in Australia
Most of the Australian population descends from 19th and 20th Century immigrants. Originally from the United Kingdom, Australia became a popular emigration destination in the 20th century, and many inhabitants are of Greek, Italian or Asian descent. Descendants of the original population, the Australian Aborigines, make up less than 1% of the population.
English is the spoken language in Australia, although some of the surviving Aboriginal communities maintain their native languages, and a considerable number of first and sometimes second-generation migrants are bi-lingual. Although the nation is broadly secular, three-quarters of Australians are nominally Christian, mostly Catholic and Anglican, and a diverse range of other religions are practiced.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Australia
Other topics: Australian cinema, Music of Australia
External links
- Australian Tourist Commission
- Australian History -- from the Washington Embassy
- Country of Australia -- Sunnybank web directory