Queensland

Queensland is a state of Australia, in the northeast of the country. The capital city is Brisbane. It is the only Australian state with a unicameral legislature.

Geography

Famous for the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, Great Dividing Range.
The northernmost part of the state is the triangular Cape York Peninsula which points toward New Guinea. The western side of the peninsula is washed by the Gulf of Carpentaria, while its eastern side, along with the whole of Queensland's eastern shore, borders the Coral Sea which is an arm of the Pacific Ocean. To the west, Queensland is bordered by the Northern Territory, to its south by New South Wales, and to its south west by the north eastern corner of South Australia.
oceans, lakes
The State capital Brisbane, is located on the coast 100km by road north of the New South Wales border.
The largest city by area in the world, Mount Isa, is located in Queensland. The city area is in excess of 40 000 km².

Demographics

Population 3 729 000 (2002 census)
racial/ethnic makeup of state
Religion Christian: 77% (Anglican: 24.6%, Catholic: 26.2%, Lutheran: 2.2%, Uniting Church: 10.8%, Other: 13.4%), Non-Christian: 0.9% (Buddhism: 0.2%, Hinduism: 0.1%, Other: 0.6%), No Religion: 14.9%, Not Stated: 6.9%

(2002 census)

Economy

In 2001, Queensland has a Gross Domestic Product of A$115.53 billion, which per capita, equals A$31,000. Based on exchange rates (2003) this equals US$20,400, making Queensland the third-poorest state in Australia after Tasmania and South Australia.

Law/Government of state

Queen Elizabeth II is represented as head of state by the locally appointed Governor, Ms Quentin Bryce, AC. The elected head of government is the Labor Premier, the Hon Peter Beattie who appoints an Executive Council from the members of the Legislative Assembly of 89 members (MLAs). The Queensland's State Parliament has been unicameral since 1922, when the Legislative Council was abolished.

In 2001 the state adopted a new codified constitution, repealing most of the assorted acts that had previously made up the constitution. The new constitution took effect on 6 June 2002, the anniversary of the formation of the independent colony of Queensland by the signing of Letters Patent by Queen Victoria in 1859.

structure of state judiciary
does it have referenda?

History

1824 Moreton Bay penal colony established
1825 Brisbane is established
1839 Transportation of convicts ceases
1842 Free settlement is permitted
1859 Colony of Queensland formed
1901 Federation of Australia
1904 Women's suffrage in state elections
1909 University of Queensland established
1922 Upper house of Parliament abolished
1982 Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane
1988 Expo 88 held in Brisbane

Colleges/Universities

Towns and settlements

External links

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