Topic: Introduction
Background: Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. All of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829. Independence was achieved in 1901.Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. All of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829. Independence was achieved in 1901.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 7,741,220 sq km

land: 7,682,300 sq km

water: 58,920 sq km
Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Natural resources: alumina, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, opals, natural gas, petroleum; note - Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports; as well, Australia is by far the world's largest supplier of opals

Topic: People and Society
Population: 26,141,369 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: English 36.1%, Australian 33.5%, Irish 11.0%, Scottish 9.3%, Chinese 5.6%, Italian 4.6%, German 4.5%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2.8%, Indian 2.8%, Greek 1.8%, Dutch 1.6% (2016 est.)English 36.1%, Australian 33.5%, Irish 11.0%, Scottish 9.3%, Chinese 5.6%, Italian 4.6%, German 4.5%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2.8%, Indian 2.8%, Greek 1.8%, Dutch 1.6%
Languages: English 72.7%, Mandarin 2.5%, Arabic 1.4%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.2%, Italian 1.2%, Greek 1%, other 14.8%, unspecified 6.5% (2016 est.)
Religions: Protestant 23.1% (Anglican 13.3%, Uniting Church 3.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.3%, Baptist 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.1%, Lutheran .7%, other Protestant .5%), Roman Catholic 22.6%, other Christian 4.2%, Muslim 2.6%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox .2%), Hindu 1.9%, other 1.3%, none 30.1%, unspecified 9.6% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.25% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Canberra
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)

head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of:
Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years)
House of Representatives (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Asian and global economic leader and partner for 3 decades; strong financial sector and highly traded domestic currency support best credit ratings; aging workforce; export-led model; reduced consumer spending offset by government and business; energy investorAsian and global economic leader and partner for 3 decades; strong financial sector and highly traded domestic currency support best credit ratings; aging workforce; export-led model; reduced consumer spending offset by government and business; energy investor
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,250,900,000,000 (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $48,700 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, wheat, barley, milk, rapeseed, beef, cotton, grapes, poultry, potatoes
Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
Exports: $299.04 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: China 39%, Japan 15%, South Korea 7%, India 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: iron ore, coal, natural gas, gold, aluminum oxide (2019)
Imports: $249.07 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: China 25%, United States 12%, Japan 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 27, 2022