Australia
hideAustralia (pronounced /əˈstreɪljə, ɒˈstreɪljə/, or formally /ɔːˈstreɪliə/), officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland, which is both the world's smallest continent and the world's largest island, the island of Tasmania, and numerous other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.N4 Australia is the only place that is simultaneously considered a continent, a country and an island. Neighbouring countries include 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 southeast.
For around 40,000 years before European settlement commenced in the late 18th century, the Australian mainland and Tasmania were inhabited by around 250 individual nations of indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north, and European discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, the eastern half of Australia was claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales, founded on 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in the following years; the continent was explored, and during the 19th century another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established.
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 population is just over 21.7 million, with approximately 60% concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. The nation's capital city is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Technologically advanced and industrialised, Australia is a prosperous multicultural country and has excellent results in many international comparisons of national performance such as health care, life expectancy, quality-of-life, human development, public education, economic freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. Australian cities also routinely rank among the world's highest in terms of livability, cultural offerings, and quality of life. It is a member of the United Nations, G-20 major economies, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, OECD, and the WTO.
For more information about Australia, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with australia
Australia issues 'catastrophic' alerts as fires rage
Nov 21, 2009 |
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Australia has issued "catastrophic" alerts after record-breaking temperatures and wild lightning storms sparked more than 100 fires across the country, officials said Saturday.
Crikey steveirwini! Snail honour for late Aussie star
Nov 13, 2009 |
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An Australian scientist has paid an unusual tribute to late conservation star Steve Irwin by naming a rare species of snail "crikey steveirwini".
Tesla Roadster Goes 313 Miles on a Single Charge
Nov 09, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Tesla is becoming synonymous with high performance electric cars. Indeed, the Tesla car company has been making efforts to create a brand of sports car that runs on electricity, and does so ...
World solar car race begins in Australia
Oct 25, 2009 |
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A 3,000-kilometre (1,860-mile) solar car race across Australia's desert heartland began in the northern city of Darwin Sunday, organisers said.
Australia embarks on great broadband adventure
Sep 27, 2009 |
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From snowy mountains and sun-baked deserts to the steamy tropical north, Australia has begun wiring its vast expanse with a high-tech broadband network in a giant project being closely followed abroad.
Australian population growth fastest for 50 years: data
Sep 22, 2009 |
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Australia's population grew at its fastest rate in 50 years in the 12 months to March thanks to a surge in migrant numbers, official figures showed Tuesday.
Many Australians at risk of cardiovascular disease are not receiving best practice care
Sep 21, 2009 |
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Many people are not receiving the best possible care when it comes to managing cardiovascular conditions according to two new Australian research studies. The studies highlight the need for wide scale reform to ensure that ...
Australia to begin vaccinating against swine flu
Sep 18, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Australia approved a vaccine against swine flu Friday and said it would start administering the medicine this month its most at-risk citizens, including medical staff, pregnant women and the chronically ill.
Australia overtakes US as biggest polluter: report
Sep 11, 2009 |
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Australians have overtaken Americans as the world's biggest individual producers of carbon dioxide, which is blamed for global warming, a risk consultancy says.
Has northern-hemisphere pollution affected Australian rainfall?
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Aug 26, 2009 |
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New research announced at the International Water in a Changing Climate Science Conference in Melbourne 24-28 August, implicates pollution from Asia, Europe and North America as a contributor to recent Australian rainfall ...
Australia and NZealand join in super telescope bid
Aug 21, 2009 |
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Australia and New Zealand announced a joint bid Friday for a giant radio telescope project which will reach for the earliest traces of the universe in a search for intelligent life.
Australian PM vows to create 50,000 'green' jobs
Jul 30, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Australia's prime minister promised Thursday to create 50,000 "green" jobs and apprenticeships to combat climate change and unemployment simultaneously.
Baby whale's first breath caught on camera off Australia
Jul 23, 2009 |
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Australian scientists have photographed a humpback whale helping a newborn calf take what appears to be its first breath, a rare event described as the "Holy Grail" for whale-watchers.
Swine flu tolls leaps past 52,000, 231 dead: WHO
Jun 22, 2009 |
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The World Health Organisation on Monday reported a huge leap in the swine flu pandemic toll to more than 52,000 people infected and 231 dead.
Australia tries tough love to heal Aboriginal woes
Jun 14, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Along the dusty red road that leads from the lonely airstrip into town, the signs flash by: "No alcohol," says one. "Petrol sniffing kills," admonishes another. "Don't bring gunja into our town," ...
