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Trivia: In Nov. 1999, Australia's 11.6 million voters rejected a referendum that would have ended Australia's formal allegiance to the British Crown. The referendum would have replaced the
governor-general with an Australian president chosen by Parliament. Although the vast majority of Australians do not consider themselves monarchists, they rejected the referendum because it did not provide for direct, popular elections but gave Parliament the power to select the president.
Thus we celebrate the Queen's birthday with a day off :-) |
| Australia - General facts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Official Name Commonwealth of Australia Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II (1952) Governor-General Michael Jeffery (2003) Government Democracy Prime Minister John Howard (Liberal Party) - won a third term of office in Nov 2001 Capital City Canberra POPULATION In July 2002 was estimated at 19,731,395. Officially reached the 20 million population mark on the 5th December 2003. In June 2004 it reached 20,135,000. Population Distribution In 2003 approximately one third (33.6%) of Australia's population resided in New South Wales. Between 2002 and 2003 the largest and fastest growing state was Queensland with an increase of 85,300 persons (2.3% increase). The Northern Territory was the only state or territory to experience a decline in population over the same period (300 persons, 0.2% decrease). Growth rate: 0.5% Birth rate: 12.6/1000 Infant mortality rate: 4.8/1000 Density (per sq mi): 7 Population Mix Caucasian (92%), Asian (7%), Aboriginal (353 000), other (1%) 
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National day Australia Day, 26 January. Languages English, native dialects. Official Currency Australian Dollar, 100 cents Total Land Area of Oz 7,617,930 sq km (or 2,941,285 sq miles) Literacy rate 100% (1980 est.) National Anthem Advance Australia Fair Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories: - New South Wales - Australian Capital Territory - Northern Territory - Queensland - Southern Australia - Tasmania - Victoria - Western Australia
Major Political Parties - Australian Democrats - Australian Labor Party - Liberal Party of Australia |
Other Australia offshore territories include: - Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Christmas Island - Cocos (Keeling) Islands - Coral Sea Islands - Heard and McDonald Islands - Norfolk Island More statistical trivia: - Australia's foreign population makes up 23.6% of the total population - 3rd highest in the world (reference) - It has 4.05 migrants per 1000 population - 26th highest in the world (2003 est.) (reference) The Sydney Statistical Division (SD) contained 21.1% of Australia's population, a proportion virtually unchanged since 2002 (21.2%). Moreton (located in Qld) was the fastest growing SD in the country with an increase of 3.5% (25,900 persons) from 2002 to 2003. Melbourne (Vic) was the SD with the largest growth in the country with an increase of 46,500 persons (1.3%). The largest decline over the same period was in Northern SD (NSW) (540 persons, 0.5%) while the fastest decline was in Australian Capital Territory - Bal (ACT) (5.3%, 20 persons). Resource websites: Australian Geographic website: www.australiangeographic.com - Australia Bureau of Statistics - Australia travel - Australia tourism net - National Library of Australia - Search Australia - UT Library Online - Major sources and definitions - Australian dependencies - Encyclopaedia: Australia - Australian Museum Online For some facts on Australia's geography and history, click here. For maps, and population & geographic stats, click here. |
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| The States and Territories | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| some facts & thoughts | what is the appeal | further info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 6,695,920 (est July 2002) & land size of 801,428 sq km Sydney is the capital & largest city of NSW, with a population of 4,194,900 people.
It is located at map reading: |
The state that hosts Sydney, and thus also has the Opera House, the Sydney
Harbour Bridge, Bondi beach, the most spectacular harbour in the world (according to the
Aussies), and the business hub of Oz. Sydney is host to some of Australia's oldest history in the Rocks area, where you can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere and world renowned sights of this wonderful city. I suppose each of the other cities (and country towns in the outback) have their own appeal, so it depends on what you consider important when choosing a city. And by default, you will get a state or a territory as part of the package deal. Click here for more info on NSW. Click here for more info on Sydney. |
Just a short scenic drive from Sydney, is the magnificent Blue Mountains and the home to the famous Hunter wine region. Info on NSW Info on Sydney Public holidays in NSW |
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| Australian Capital Territory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 324,700 (est July 2002) & land size of 2,452 sq km Canberra, the only major inland city in Oz, is the capital of Australia & largest city of ACT. Canberra is also the nerve centre of Australian national government. It has a population of 322,700. It is located at map reading: |
Canberra is unique in having every detail of it's construction planned from the beginning, then being built halfway between Sydney and Melbourne after a dispute over which would become the nations capital. Set in a broad valley in the southern tablelands of New South Wales, Canberra is a well-planned lakeside city of parklands, impressive restaurants, beautiful bushland and leafy suburbs. Many of the public buildings display some of Australia's most innovative architecture including those housing Australia's major, and most impressive, national attractions. Canberra is only 1 and 1/2 hour drive from the beautiful Snowy Mountains, where you can hike, horse ride, mountain bike, ski, snowboard and enjoy the clean, crisp mountain air and surrounding towns. For detailed info, click here. |
 Info on ACT Info on Canberra Public holidays in ACT |
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| Northern Territory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 204,750 (est July 2002) & land size of 346,200 sq km Darwin is the bustling tropical capital & largest city of NT, with a population of 94,100.
It is located at map reading: |
Darwin clusters around the beaches of one of Australia's finest harbours Darwin Harbour, the playground of dolphins sea snakes, turtles and cruising yachts. Visitors to Darwin enjoy a relaxed, tropical lifestyle, with wonderful sunsets, city street shaded by palms, bamboo, mango trees and masses of flowering tropical shrubs like the fragrant frangipani and the iridescent blooms of the bougainvillea. |
Info on NT Info on Darwin Public holidays in NT General info: |
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| Queensland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Queensland, home of the Great Barrier Reef and commonly referred to as the "Sunshine State", is Australia's ultimate outdoor playground.. Population of 3,696,110 (est July 2002) & land size of 1,727.200 sq km Brisbane is the capital & largest city of Queensland with a population of 1,544,300. It is located at map reading: |
The Gold Coast, Australia's tourism capital boasts golden beaches and
an exciting nightlife. North is the natural beauty and more relaxed atmosphere of the Sunshine Coast. Further north on the East Coast are the world famous Whitsunday Islands. Great Barrier Reef spans 2 000km from the tip of Cape York to Gladstone in the south. A scuba divers paradise with 2 900 individual reefs, 71 coral islands, 10 000 species of sponge, 350 different species of coral, 4 000 species of molluscs, 350 species of echinoderms and over 1 500 species of fish. Far North Queensland or the Tropical North is home to the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, crocodiles, fantastic barramundi fishing and the anglers dream - the Black Marlin. No wonder Queensland is a favourite holiday destination for foreigners and Aussies alike. Beautiful beaches, a hot climate and a very relaxed local population are definite attractions. For detailed info, click here. |
Info on Queensland Info on Far North Qld Info on the South Coast Info on the East Coast |
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| South Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 1,523,865 (est July 2002) & land size of 984,377 sq km Adelaide is the capital & largest city of SA, with a population of 1,130,100.
It is located at map reading: |
Adelaide is situated on the Adelaide plains, a flat, fertile corridor of land between Gulf St Vincent and the arc of the Mount Lofty Ranges. As capital of the Festival State, Adelaide plays host to a variety of festivals. It also has some of country's finest restaurants and produces a lion's share of the nations wine. For detailed info, click here. |
Info on Adelaide Info on South Australia Public holidays in SA |
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| Tasmania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 473,000 (est July 2002) & land size of 67,800 sq km. Hobart is the capital & largest city of Tassie, with a population of 205,200. It is located at map reading: 42º 85' S, 147º 29' E.
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Heritage, wilderness and unspoilt beauty abound in this the jewel of Australia's crown, Tasmania.
Preservation of its natural assets is paramount to Tasstralians as you will notice from the moment you set foot onto this colonial rich soil. |
Info on Tasmania Info on Hobart Public holidays in Tasmania |
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| Victoria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 4,878,820 (est July 2002) & land size of 227,600 sq km. Melbourne is the capital & largest city of Victoria, with a population of 3,353,300. It is located at map reading: 37º 81' S, 144º 96' E.
Victoria's second-largest city, Geelong has a population of
approximately 156,200. There's something for everyone, with attractions and entertainment, a variety of places to eat, parks and gardens, plus a lively, new waterfront.
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Melbourne is home to the Australian Open, the Australian
Formula 1 Grand Prix, art, culture, great restaurants, a
massive bay and much more. Australia's second largest city, Melbourne is the gateway to Victoria and all the delights it has to offer. The city has many hotels restaurants and theatres along with the natural wonders of Phillip Island, and the Dandenong Ranges which are within easy reach. Melbourne is a diverse and cosmopolitan city. The town is home to some of Australia's biggest shopping complexes and sophisticated boutiques, glorious food halls and elegant restaurants, with a wide range of ethnic foods being readily available. Northeast Victoria is home to the gold rush era of past, the Great Murray River, and legendary bush ranging territory's where the likes of Bogong Jack, "Mad" Dan Morgan and the infamous Kelly Gang had their wicked way. The Murray River (see map) is a venue for a wide range of water sports and the home of paddle steamers, historic towns and for the angler the renowned Murray Cod. Some of the finest Australian wines are grown in the Grampian district of Victoria. East is the High Country with mountain wildernesses. A great place to experience the atmosphere at a game of AFL (footy). We travelled to Melbourne in January 2004, and took some photos. For detailed info, click here. |
 The Vic government website A short drive out of Melbourne is the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne's summer playground and the Dandenongs, which locals claim has "the very best nature has to offer". For more info on the Dandenong Ranges, see: Dandenong Ranges Net You could surf some of the best waves in Australia around the Torquay area or go for a drive along the scenic Great Ocean Road. Info on Victoria Info on Melbourne Public holidays in Vic Victoria's secrets For more info on the Yarra Valley, see: Yarra Valley Net |
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| Western Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Population of 1,934,230 (est July 2002) & land size of 2,525.500 sq km. Perth is the capital & largest city of WA, with a population of 1,390,800.
It is located at map reading: 31º 96' S, 115º 84' E. |
Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world.
The inner city has a beautiful setting next to the Swan
River with easy access to spectacular beaches on the Indian
Ocean. Perth has a very efficient and effective public transport system. You can catch the train to the beach because the train line travels along the coast between Perth and Fremantle! Info on WA Info on Perth Public holidays in WA |
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