Australian Facts & Figures
Australia was named after the Latin word ‘Australis’ meaning ‘southern’ and was first inhabited about 50 000 years ago by indigenous Australian’s ancestors. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is the world’s smallest continent covering over 7.5 million sq km. Australia spans a coastline of over 34 000 km, yet the majority of the country is desert known as the ‘Outback’. It is home to the kangaroo, koala, wombat, emu, platypus and echidna as well as the world’s largest number of venomous snakes! Australia consists of 6 states and 2 territories with Canberra as its capital. The largest city is Sydney and the country’s total population is over 21 million. Its national language is English and it received independence from UK on Jan 1, 1901. Australia is both a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with a prime minister (Kevin Rudd) and monarch (Queen Elizabeth II).

Population: 21 530 000 (approx)

Location: Oceania (between Indian Ocean & South Pacific Ocean)

Coordinates: 27 00 South, 133 00 East

Total mainland area: 7 659 861sq km

Total island area: 32 163 sq km

Coastline length (including islands): 59 736 km

Highest mountain: Mt Kosciuszko (2 228 m)

Highest point: Mawson Peak, Heard Island (2 754 m)

Lowest point: Lake Eyre, SA (15 m below sea level)

Longest river: Murray River (2 520 km)

No of beaches: 7 000

No of islands: 8 222

Most southerly point: South Point, Vic (mainland). South East Point, Tasmania.

Largest state: WA (2 529 875 sq km).

Largest offshore island: Melville, NT (5 786 sq km)

Smallest state: Tasmania (68 102 sq km)

Hottest town: Marble Bar, WA (41 deg C summer average)

Coldest place: Liawenee, Tas. (-1.5 deg C winter average)

Wettest place: Tully, Qld (4 300 m annual average)

Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, bauxite, silver, gold, zinc, diamonds, natural gas.

Natural hazards: droughts, bushfires, coastal cyclones

Ethnic groups: 92% white, 7% Asian, 1% Aboriginal

Religions: 26% Catholic, 21% Anglican, 21% Other Christian, 2% Buddhist, 1.5% Muslim.

Life expectancy: 80.73 years

Government: Federal parliamentary democracy

Capital: Canberra

Administrative areas: 6 states (NSW, Qld, Victoria, SA, WA, Tasmania) & 2 territories (ACT, NT).

Dependent areas: Following islands - Norfolk, Christmas, Cocos, Coral Sea, Macquarie

National holidays: Australia Day (Jan 26), ANZAC Day (Apr 25).

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