Australia |
|
| OVERVIEW |
| Background |
Australia became a commonwealth
of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take 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. Long-term concerns
include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer,
and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially
the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status,
from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic,
was defeated in 1999. |
| Natural
resources |
bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold,
silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc,
diamonds, natural gas, petroleum |
| Land use |
arable land: 6.88%
permanent crops: 0.03%
other: 93.09% (1998 est.) |
| Population |
19,731,984 (July 2003 est.) |
| Ethnic groups |
Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other
1% |
| Religions |
Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian
24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6% |
| Languages |
English, native languages |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (1980 est.) |
| Capital |
Canberra |
| Government
type |
democratic, federal-state system recognizing
the British monarch as sovereign |
| Independence |
1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
|
| National
holiday |
Australia Day, 26 January (1788) |
|
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