Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by its total area. Australia’s neighbouring countries include Indonesia, Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east. New Caledonia, a special collectivity of France, lies to the north-east of this country.
For at least 40,000 years before the first British settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians who spoke languages grouped into roughly 250 language groups. After the discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was explored and an additional five self-governing. Crown Colonies were established.
Australia is a developed country and it is a one of the wealthiest in the world, with the world's 12th-largest economy. In 2012 Australia had the world's fifth-highest per capita income Australia's military expenditure is the world's 13th-largest. With the second-highest human development index globally, Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. Australia is a member of the United Nations.
Capital
:
|
Canberra
|
Area:
|
7,692,024 square
km
|
National
Bird:
|
Emu
|
National
Animal:
|
Kangaroo
|
National
Flower:
|
Golden
Wattle
|
National
Language:
|
English
|
National
Sport:
|
Cricket
|
National
Dance:
|
Bush
Dance
|
Prime
Minister:
|
Tony
Abbott
|
Major
Occupation:
|
Service
|
Time
Zone:
|
(UTC+8 to +10.5)
|
