(pop. 395,000)
Other Cities/towns:
Adelaide,
Alice Springs,
Brisbane (1.6 million)
Darwin,
Hobart,
Melbourne (3.5 million),
Sydney (4.2 million),
Perth (1.3 million)
Government:
Democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign.
Constitution:
9 July, 1900.
Independence (federation): 1 January 1901.
Geography:
Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean.
Area: 7.7 million km² (3 million sq. mi.); about the size of the 48 contiguous
United States.
Terrain: Varied, but generally low-lying plateaus with deserts; fertile plain in southeast.
Climate:
Relatively dry, ranging from temperate in the south to tropical in the north.
People:
Nationality: Australian(s).
Population: 25.7 million (2021)
GNI per capita
PPP: $49,854 (2019 est.)
Ethnic groups: European 92%, Asian 6%, Aboriginal 2%.
Religions: Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 21%, other non-Christian
5%, no religion 15%.
Languages: English
(official), Italian 12,4%, Greek 9.2 %, Cantonese 7.9 %, only 51 000 people speaking
an Australian Indigenous Language at home.
Literacy: 85%.
Natural resources:
Bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten,
mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum.
Agriculture products:
Wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry.
Industries:
Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel.
Exports - commodities: coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery, and transport equipment.
Exports partners: China 32.2%,
Japan 15.9%,
South Korea 7.1%,
US 5.4%,
India 4.2% (2015)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment, and parts; crude oil and petroleum products.
Imports partners: China 23%, US 11.2%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 5.5%,
Thailand 5.1%,
Germany 4.6% (2015)
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
(Source: Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and others)