The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, two iconic landmarks that frames one of the world's most famous harbours. Photo courtesy Tourism Australia
Australia—an overview
Australia is a stable, culturally diverse and democratic society with a skilled workforce and a strong, competitive economy. With a population of more than 20.6 million, Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent. It is the earth’s biggest island and the sixth-largest country in the world in land area.
Australia is one of the world’s oldest landmasses and has been populated by human beings for an estimated 60 000 years. Before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the continent. Australia’s contemporary history is relatively short, with the first European settlement established by Great Britain on 26 January 1788.
Australia has 10 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and a great number of its native plants, animals and birds exist nowhere else in the world. Australia is committed to conserving its unique environment and natural heritage and has a range of protection procedures in place, including World Heritage listings and many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
At June 2006, Australia had the 13th biggest overall economy in the world and the 10th biggest industrialised economy. It was the 8th richest nation in per capita terms (excluding tax havens) and is the 6th oldest continuously functioning democracy in the world.
Australia’s population includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and migrants from some 200 countries. In almost 60 years of planned post-war migration, Australia has welcomed more than 6.5 million migrants, including more than 660 000 refugees. During this time, the population has almost tripled from about 7 million.
Migrants have brought with them language skills and other capabilities that are valuable in today’s global economy and workforce. Although English is the official language in Australia, more than 4.1 million Australians speak a second language. As a result, Australia offers the familiarity of a Western business culture with a workforce capable of operating in many different business environments.
The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook for 2006 ranked Australia the 6th most competitive economy in the world, up from 9th place in 2005 (previous rankings were 4th in 2004, 7th in 2003 and 10th in 2002).
Skyline of Perth, the capital of Western Australia
Australia’s economy is open and innovative, with a commitment from the Australian Government to maintain the strong economic growth that has taken place since the early 1990s.
Australia is one of the few countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) where general government net debt has been eliminated. According to the OECD’s 2006 economic summary of Australia, living standards have steadily improved since the start of the 1990s and now surpass those of all the industrialised nations that form the Group of Eight except the United States.
Australian exports, which in 2005–06 totalled $196.3 billion, are a mix of traditional commodities, services and advanced manufacturing.
Australia has a well-developed education system with participation rates among the highest in the world. Each year, Australia welcomes an increasing number of international students, with current figures rating Australia 3rd among English-speaking countries as a student destination.
Phillip Island, Victoria
Australia’s aid program aims to help people in developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty and responds quickly when disaster strikes. The primary focus is the Asia–Pacific region, which has the world’s highest concentration of people living in poverty. Australia also provides aid to developing countries in Africa and the Middle East.
The quality of life enjoyed by people in Australia is one of the highest in the world. Australia’s clean physical environment, health services, education and lifestyle combine to make it an attractive place to live. Australia’s ancient Indigenous traditions and multiculturalism are reflected in the diverse cultures and forms of artistic talent present in the country.
A 2006 report from the Economist Intelligence Unit rates five Australian cities as among the top 12 desirable venues for business travel. The rankings were Adelaide (4th), Brisbane (6th), Perth (8th), Melbourne (9th) and Sydney (12th). The survey ranked 127 cities and took into account cost-related and environmental factors.
Australia’s spectacular natural environment, rich Indigenous history and culture, multicultural communities, and high-quality food and wine make it a popular international tourist destination. Around 5.5 million people visited Australia in 2005–06, making the tourism industry the largest contributor to Australian services export earnings.
Australia is a robust democracy that pioneered the secret ballot and the vote for women. Australia’s system of government reflects the British and North American models of liberal democracy, but has uniquely Australian features.
The flag
The Australian flag was raised for the first time in Melbourne on 3 September 1901, following a design competition that drew 32 823 entries. The stars of the Southern Cross represent Australia’s geographic position in the Southern Hemisphere, the large Commonwealth star symbolises the federation of the states and territories and the Union Jack embodies Australia’s early ties to Great Britain.
National colours
Green and gold have been Australia’s national colours since 19 April 1984.
National day
Australia Day is celebrated every year on 26 January. This date commemorates the anniversary of the unfurling of the British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788.
National anthem
Advance Australia Fair has been Australia’s official national anthem since 19 April 1984.
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
The Australian coat of arms was granted by King George V in 1912. It consists of a shield containing the badges of the six Australian states, symbolising federation, and the national symbols of the golden wattle, the kangaroo and the emu. By popular tradition, the kangaroo is accepted as the national animal emblem. The golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha Benth, was proclaimed the national floral emblem in August 1988.