Some quick facts
Australia The
Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere
comprising the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major
island of Tasmania and a number of other islands in the Southern,
Indian and Pacific Oceans. The neighbouring countries are Indonesia,
East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands,
Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the north-east, and New Zealand to the
south-east.
The Australian mainland has been
inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians. After
sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and by European explorers
and merchants starting in the 17th century, the eastern half of
Australia was claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled
through penal transportation as part of the colony of New South Wales
on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas were explored,
another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established
during the 19th century.
On 1 January 1901, the
six colonies became a federation, and the Commonwealth of Australia was
formed. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal
democratic political system and remains a Commonwealth Realm. The
capital city is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory.
The population is 21 million, and is concentrated in the mainland state
capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
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