AUSTRALIA

Australia officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is an Oceanian country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent,the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area. Neighboring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.

Australia is a developed country and one of the wealthiest in the world, with the world's 12th-largest economy. In  2012 Australia had  the  world's fifth-highest per capita income. Australia's military expenditure  is the  world's 13th-largest.Through the  second-highest human development index globally, Australia ranks highly  in   a lot of  international comparisons  involving  national performance,such as  quality  associated with  life, health, education, economic freedom,  and also the   protection   regarding  civil liberties  AS WELL AS  political rights. Australia  is a  member  of a  United Nations, G20, Commonwealth  associated with  Nations, ANZUS,  firm   regarding  Economic Co-operation  ALONG WITH  Development (OECD),World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,  plus the  Pacific Islands Forum.     

For at least 40,000 years before the first British settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who spoke languages grouped into roughly 250 language groups.After the European discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was explored and an additional five self-governing crown colonies were established.

On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Since Federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system that functions as a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and several territories. The population of 23.6 million is highly urbanized and heavily concentrated in the eastern states and on the coast.

More about Australia.......................................

Capital :               Canberra ; 35°18.48'S 149°7.47'E

Largest city :   Sydney

Official languages : None

National language  : English

Demonym :               Australian ; Aussie

Government :     Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

 -   Monarch Elizabeth II

 -   Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove

 -   Prime Minister Tony Abbott

 -   Chief Justice Robert French

Legislature :   Parliament

 -   Upper house Senate

 -   Lower house House of Representatives

Coat of Arm

Independence from the United Kingdom

 -   Federation, Constitution 1 January 1901 

 -   Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 9 October 1942 (with effect from 3 September 1939) 

 -   Australia Act 3 March 1986 

Area :   Total 7,692,024 km2 (6th) ; 2,969,907 sq mi

Population :

 -   2015 estimate 23,778,700 (51st)

 -   2011 census 21,507,717

 -   Density 2.8/km2 (233rd); 7.3/sq mi 

GDP (PPP) 2014 estimate : 

 -   Total $1.100 trillion (19th)

 -   Per capita $46,631 (15th)

GDP (nominal) 2014 estimate :

 -   Total $1.483 trillion (12th)

 -   Per capita $62,822 (5th)

Currency :       Australian dollar (AUD)

Time zone :     various (UTC+8 to +10.5)

 -   Summer (DST) various (UTC+8 to +11.5)

Date format dd-mm-yyyy

Drives on the left

Calling code +61

ISO 3166 code AU

Internet TLD .au