Location

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Area

7,686,850 sq km

Climate

Arid to semi arid in the south and east and tropical in the North

Terrain

Low plateau with deserts with fertile plains in the North

Land Use

6.55% cultivated

Natural hazards

Cyclones along the coast and droughts and forest fires.

Demography

Australia is the world's smallest continent.  It is the sixth-largest country.  Its population is concentrated along the eastern and south eastern coasts. The 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
Population: 20,090,437
Population growth rate: 0.87%
Migration rate: 3.91 migrants per 1000 population
Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Languages: English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)

Government

Democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign

Administrative Divisions

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Legal system:

Based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Immigration Law

Regulated by the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994.  Permanent immigration of skilled persons to Australia is encouraged under the migration program and refugees are allowed to immigrate under the humanitarian program.

Currency

Australian dollar (AUD)

Exchange rates

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.32 (2005)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

Communication System

Telephones, cellular phones, Internet

Transport System

Railways, waterways, Airports and Highways

Major Cities

Sidney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Gold coast
Cairns, Broome, Darwin, Alice Springs, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth.