About
Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent_id from
Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial
claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in
the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took
advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major
contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an
internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the
1990's, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980's. Long-term concerns include pollution,
particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier
Reef.
More...
Source: The World Factbook
Population: 20,090,437 (July
2005 est.)
Capital: Canberra
Languages: English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)
Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%,
none 15.3% (2001 Census)
Government: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign
Climate: generally
arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Geography: world's smallest continent_id but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and
southeastern coasts; the invigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the
west coast, and is one of the most consistent winds in the world
Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%,
aboriginal and other 1%
Economy: Australia has an enviable
Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output
in the domestic economy, robust business and consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw materials and agricultural
products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key
factors behind the economy's strength. The impact of drought, weak foreign demand, and strong import demand pushed the trade
deficit up from $8 billion in 2002, to $18 billion in 2003, $13 billion in 2004, and $16 billion in 2005. Housing prices
probably peaked in 2005, diminishing the prospect that interest rates would be raised to prevent a speculative bubble.
Conservative fiscal policies have kept Australia's budget in surplus from 2002 to 2005.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $32,000 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 2.7% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2005 est.)
Internet country code: .au
Dial code: +61
States / provinces / regions
Find a flight to any city in Australia
Local currency is the Australian Dollar
Airlines based in Australia
Airlines flying to Australia
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