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Canberra. The capital is located in the Australian Capital Territory (A.C.T.) southwest of Sydney. Like Washington DC, it was a carefully planned city from the very beginning.
7,686,850 sq km (2,967,909 sq mi). Australia is just slightly smaller than the continential United States. Geographically, it is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States, and Brazil.
20 million. In spite of its vast size, Australia has fewer people than the state of California. The population is made up of people of European descent, Aboriginals (native Australians), and immigrants from dozens of countries from around the world.
Australia has a highly urbanized population where about 70% of all the people live in the ten largest cities--most of which are found along the coastlines. The interior or "outback" ranks among the least densely populated lands of the world.
Australia is composed of six states and two territories. These include Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Austalia, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory (A.C.T.), and Northern Territory. An often-forgotten part of Australia is the Australian Antarctic Territory, a vast part of Antarctica which is inhabited only by research staff.
Australia was visited by Captain James Cook in 1770, and eighteen years later the First Fleet arrived and established Sydney, the first settlement. Australia remained a British colony until January 1, 1901 when it became an independent nation under the Commonwealth of Great Britain.
Democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as soverign. Voting is compulsory. Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent.
The current head of government is Prime Minister John Howard (Queen Elizabeth is recognized as the soverign, represented by the Governor General).
Australian Dollar (valued around US$.75). Coins are valued at 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, and $2. One-cent and two-cent coins are no longer in circulation. Banknotes are valued at $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, each with its own unique color and size. Banknotes are not made of paper but are actually polymer plastic.
Located in the southern hemisphere, Australia is the world's largest island. It is also the smallest, flattest, and driest continent. The lowest point is Lake Eyre, -15 m (-49 ft), located in South Australia. The highest point is Mt Kosciuszko, 2229 m (7313 ft), located in New South Wales
