Australia is the world's smallest continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean, and also the most beautiful country in the whole world! Australians call their motherland "the lucky country".
The phrase has been used to describe our weather, our lifestyle and our history. It is often invoked to describe the nation's good fortune, from gold booms to economic booms. Recently, our geographic isolation from the world's trouble spots has again seen us labelled the lucky country. It has been paraphrased by politicians - 'the clever country' - and when Kylie Minogue sings we're 'lucky, lucky, lucky', we all know what she means.
GEOGRAPHY
Australia consists of a large island continent and the large offshore island of Tasmania. It is the only country in the world that is a continent. The country is only a little smaller than the United States but its sparse population is comparable with that of Canada. Including Tasmania it spans 30 degrees of latitude, resulting in a large range of climates from temperate to tropical. With the exception of mountain ranges along the east coast (Great Dividing Ranges) and in Tasmania, most of Australia is relatively low flat to rolling country. Vast areas of the continent consist of desert or sparsely populated pastoral land with lush landscapes in coastal areas, particularly in the east where most of the population is to be found. To the north lie lush tropical rainforests and wetlands and in the west is an enormous, ancient plateau which ends abruptly in the Indian Ocean.
ECONOMY
Australia has had one of the strongest economies in the world over the past decade - more competitive, open and vibrant than ever before.Australia's high economic performance resting on strong growth, low inflation and low interest rates has been the result of effective economic management and ongoing structural reform, along with a competitive and dynamic private sector and a skilled, flexible workforce. Trade underpins Australia prosperity and the current government’s trade policy has as its main goal the creation of new and more open markets for exports. Australia top five export markets are Japan, China, USA, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Australia goods and services exports reached record levels in 2005 as the value of exports increased by 15 per cent to $176.7 billion. The growth of Australia’s exports was strongest in the Asian markets including a 41% increase in exports to China. The main export items during 2005 were coal, iron ore, crude petroleum and aluminium ores and the main import items included passenger motor vehicles and computers. Australia’s
export earnings are forecast to remain strong reflecting increased capacity in the mining sector and favourable commodity prices. The CPI rate is 3.2% (2006 forecast) and increased 4% from the previous year and economic growth is forecast to be 3.2% in 2006/2007. Consumer spending has strengthened in 2006 with solid sales across most categories and inflation is expected to remain moderate (2.8%). The unemployment rate reached a new three decade low of 4.9% in May 2006.
CLIMATE
Most of Australia is fairly low and flat which means that contrasts of weather and climate are gradual and there are few sharp local changes. Much of Australia is warm or hot throughout the year, and even along the cooler southern coasts the winters are mild rather than cold. Only Tasmania, which is in the same latitude as New Zealand, has a temperate climate comparable with that of Britain or northwest Europe. The east and southeast coasts of Australia get rain at all seasons, with rather more in the summer. The south and southwest coasts of South and Western Australia are affected by westerly cyclonic disturbances during the cooler winter season and have their maximum rainfall at this time. As Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere summer starts in December and winter starts in June. The sun is very strong in Australia so caution is advised at all times.
POPULATION AND SETTLEMENTS
The Australian population is estimated to be 20,589,086 (July 2006). Historically the population is predominantly Anglo-Celtic. Approximately one quarter of the population was born overseas with the three main countries of birth being the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Italy (2001 Census). The first European settlements began in 1788 at a time when Australia was sparsely populated by the aboriginal people. The settlements began with the establishment by the British of a penal colony in New South Wales.
LANGUAGE
English is the language of Australia and approximately 17% of the population speak a language other than English at home. Over 200 languages are spoken including 45 Indigenous languages.
RELIGION
Christianity is the faith most widely professed. The main denominations are Roman Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Church.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
Australia is an independent state within the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is represented by the Governor General who has wide powers, but by convention acts only on the advice of ministers on virtually all matters. In 1901 the Australian Constitution established a federal system of government. Under this system, powers are distributed between a national government (House of Representatives) and the six States; three Territories - the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, and Norfolk Island have self-government arrangements (The Senate). National elections must be held every three years and voting is compulsory for those 18 yrs and over. Currently Australia is governed by a Liberal Party under Prime Minister John Howard.
LAW AND JUSTICE
Australian law is based on the English model of common law. The Australian Federal Government has the responsibility for crimes against the revenue (eg. tax evasion), breaches of corporations law and border control. Crimes against the person (eg. assault, murder) are the responsibility of State/Territory governments. Civil litigation (eg. negligence) is generally conducted in State courts. The High Court is the highest court in the Australian judicial system. Below this are the Federal, State and Territory courts and a number of specialist courts.
