The state comprises the entire northeastern part of the Australian continent, with the major part of its coastline sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef. Roughly half the state is in the tropical zone, with rain forests on Cape York Peninsula in the extreme north. Annual rainfall ranges from 5 in. The Great Dividing Range separates the fertile coastal strip from vast interior plains. In addition, the state is Australia's leading producer of beef.
Mining is also important, especially copper, coal, lead, zinc, and bauxite.
Oil and natural gas were discovered in the 1960s and are being exploited. Manufacturing has gained importance in the last 30 years, as has tourism. The Great Barrier Reef, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast are extremely popular attractions. Almost half of Queensland's people live in the Brisbane metropolitan area. In 1770, Capt.