Official Name:   Commonwealth of Australia 

Independence day form (federation): January 1, 1901.

Geography 

The continent is bounded

•  On the north by the Timor Sea the Arafura Sea, and the Torres Strait
•  On the east by the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea
•  On the south by the Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean
•  On the west by the Indian Ocean

The commonwealth extends for about 4,000 km (about 2,500 mi) 

from east to west and for about 3,700 km (about 2,300 mi) from north 

to south 

Its coastline measures some 25,760 km (about 16,010 mi)

 The area of the commonwealth is 7,682,300 sq km (2,966,200 sq mi),

 and the area of 

the continent alone is 7,614,500 sq km (2,939,974 sq mi), 

making Australia the smallest continent in the world,

but the sixth largest country

 

 

Highest Point

        Mount Kosciusko 2,228 m above sea level

Lowest Point

        Lake Eyre 16 m below sea level

Cities:

 

 

            Capital is Canberra

Other cities

Climate is Relatively dry 

Nationality Australian's

Population (2000) 19.1 million. 

Australia is the most sparsely populated of the inhabited continent

Annual growth rate 1.3%

Ethnic groups:

•  European 92%
•  Asian 7%
•  Aboriginal 1%

Religions: 

•  Anglican 22%
•  Roman Catholic 27% 
•  Other Christian 22%
•  Other non-Christian 3% 
•   No religion 17%

Language English

Literacy Rate 99%

Government Type

        Democratic, federal-state system recognizing British

        monarch as sovereign.

        Constitution Apply July 9, 1900.

Economy: 

GDP  $390 - 400 billion

Inflation rate (1999) 1.8% p.a.

Exports (Australia is Rich in)