Australia the Lucky Country

Australia - Profile

Geography

Area: 7.7 million sq. km. (3 million sq. mi.); about the size of the 48 continental United States.
Cities: Capital--Canberra (pop. 310,100). Other cities--Sydney (3.7 million), Melbourne (3.1 million), Brisbane (1.3 million), Perth (1.2 million).
Terrain: Varied, but generally low-lying.
Climate: Relatively dry, ranging from temperate in the south to tropical in the north.

Government

Type: Democratic, federal-state system recognizing British monarch as sovereign.
Constitution: July 9, 1900.
Independence (federation): January 1, 1901.
Branches: Executive--prime minister and cabinet responsible to Parliament. Legislative--bicameral Parliament (76-member Senate, 148-member House of Representatives). Judicial--independent judiciary.
Administrative subdivisions: Six states and two territories.
Political parties: Liberal, National, Australian Labor, Australian Democrats. Liberal and National parties form the governing coalition.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory over 18.

Central government budget (FY 1997-98): $95 billion.
Defense (est.1997-98): 1.9% of GDP or 8.2% of government budget.
Flag: On a blue field, U.K. Union Jack in the top left corner, a large white star directly beneath symbolizing federation, and five smaller white stars on the right half representing the Southern Cross constellation.

Economy

GDP $343.5 billion.
Per capita income: $20,000.
Inflation rate: 1.0% p.a.
Natural resources: Bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, oil.
Agriculture (4% of GDP): Products--livestock, wheat, wool, sugar. Arable land--9%.
Industry (31% of GDP): Types--mining, manufacturing, transportation, and construction.
Trade: Exports--$61.7 billion (1997): coal, gold, wool, meat, iron ore, wheat, alumina, aluminium, machinery and transport equipment. Major markets--Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, U.S. ($4.3 billion), Singapore, Taiwan. Imports--$60.5 billion (1997): machinery and transport equipment, computers, crude oil and petroleum products, telecommunications equipment. Major suppliers--U.S. ($13.7 billion), Japan, Germany, U.K., China, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Singapore.

PROFILE PEOPLE HISTORY POLITICAL CONDITIONS ECONOMY FOREIGN RELATIONS
Source: U.S. Department of State Background Notes: Australia, November 1997 Released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.