Australia, island continent located southeast of Asia and forming, with
the nearby island of Tasmania, the commenwealth of Australia, a self
governing member of the Commenwealth of Nations. The commenwealth of
Australia is made up of six states--News south Wales, Queensland, South
Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Wester n Australia--and two
territories--the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Australia, including Tasmania but excluding external territories, covers a
land area of 7,682,300 sq. km, extending from Cape York (100 41' S) in the
north some 3,680 km to Tasmania (430 39' S), and from Cape Byron (1530 39'
E) in the east some 4,000 km west to Western Australia (1130 9' E).
Basic Data
Population (estimates), July 1995, 18,322,231, with the age structure
under 15 (female 1,929,366; male 2,032,238), 15-64 (female 6,017,362; male
6,181,887), 65 and over(female 1,227,004; male 934,374). Population growth
rate is estimated at 1.31% (1995 est.). Literacy rate age 15 and over can
read and write (1980 est.).
English is the official language, with modern Australian English a
conglomerate of British, American, and their own phraseology and spelling.
Because Australia is one of the most multicultural nations in the world it
is possible to find vibrant ethnic communities using almost every other
world language.Australian school children have the highest rate of
learning Asian languages, particularly Japanese and Chinese, of any
industrialized western nation - in recognition of their future as a member
of the Asia-Pacific region.
Labor force is 8.63 million(september 1991) by occupation of finance and
service 33.8%, public and community services 22.3%, wholesale and reatail
trade 20.1%, manufacturing and industry 16.2%, agriculture 6.1%(1987).
Political System
Australia has a federal system of government, and a long history as a
multiparty parliamentary democracy. There is no written Bill of Rights,
but fundamental rights are ensured by law...