DATED INFORMATION - Archive Only

Geographic coordinates

• Geographic coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E
• Lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m,
• highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
• Coastline: including Tasmania and offshore islands, 36,735 kilometres.
  

Geography/Location

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Government

Country name: (long form): Commonwealth of Australia,(short form): Australia
Government type: democratic, federal-state-local system with the British monarch as sovereign.
National capital: Canberra
Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January. In recognition of the landing in 1788 of Governor Philip in Sydney Harbour who had sailed from England. He raised the flag at what is now Loftus Street Circular Quay. A monument flagpole with a British Ensign commemorates this located just to the left of Customs House in Loftus Street.
Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.
Suffrage (voting age): 18 years of age; universal and compulsory.

Executive Branch
Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir William DEANE (since 16 February 1996)
Head of Government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996).
Judicial branch: High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general

Political Parties and Leaders
Government: coalition of Australian Liberal Party, John HOWARD, and Australian National Party, John ANDERSON.
Opposition: Australian Labor Party, Kim BEAZLEY; Australian Democratic Party, Meg LEES; Green Party, Bob BROWN plus numerous Independents and minor parties.
New South Wales Premier: Bob CARR, Opposition: Kerry CHIKAROVSKI.
New South Wales Olympics Minister: Michael KNIGHT
Lord Mayor of Sydney: Councillor Frank SARTOR.

Great Barrier Reef

One of the Natural Wonders of the world. Spanning more than 2000km along the northeastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. The Reef, which runs parallel to the Queensland coast, has been designated by the Australian Government as a Marine Park.

For further information:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/aust/aus.htm#env

Greeting someone in Australia

People in Australia are generally informal and greet each other with a handshake, and/or for women on some occasions a kiss to the cheek.

Guide Books on Australia

http://www.distantlands.com/australia.html

Sydney 2000
Access Guide

Things you
must know

How much would
that be at home?