Due to its early and sustained isolation, Australia is the habitat of such curious and unique fauna as the kangaroo, koala bear and platypus. The continent possess extensive mineral deposits - the most important of which are gold, coal, silver, nickel and uranium. Livestock raising, mining and manufacturing are the principal industries.
Chief exports are wool, meat, wheat, iron ore and coal.
Australia is now divided into 6 States and 2 Territories, with Canberra as the capital city. A constitution providing for Federation of the original colonies was approved by an Act of the Imperial Parliament dated 9 July 1900, and the Commonwealth of Australia was inaugurated on 1 January 1901. The Statute of Westminister Adoption Act, passed on 9 October 1942, officially established Australia's complete autonomy in external and internal affairs. The Commonwealth of Australia is equal in status with the other members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Queen of England is our Head of State. However, there is more to this story than what simply meets the eye.