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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

709 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

25.5 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

excellent domestic and international service domestic: domestic satellite system international: submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian and Pacific Ocean regions)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

92 million (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

5.29 million (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

104 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

10.15 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

Budget [time series]

revenues: $90.73 billion expenditures: $89.04 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

Debt - external [time series]

$222 billion (1999)

Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]

ODA, $1.43 billion (FY97/98)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Australia has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP at the level of the four dominant West European economies. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Commodities account for 57% of the value of total exports, so that a downturn in world commodity prices can have a big impact on the economy. The government is pushing for increased exports of manufactured goods, but competition in international markets continues to be severe. While Australia has suffered from the low growth and high unemployment characterizing the OECD countries in the early 1990s and during the recent financial problems in East Asia, the economy has expanded at a solid 4% annual growth pace in the last five years. Canberra's emphasis on reforms is a key factor behind the economy's resilience to the regional crisis and its stronger than expected growth rate. Growth in 2000 will depend on key international commodity prices, the extent of recovery in nearby Asian economies, and the strength of US and European markets.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

173.34 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

186.387 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 89.85% hydro: 8.35% nuclear: 0% other: 1.8% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.52068 (January 2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$58 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 20%, EU 14%, ASEAN 11%, US 10%, South Korea, NZ, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China (1998)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $416.2 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (1998 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $22,200 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.3% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 24.8% (1989)

Imports [time series]

$67 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products

Imports - partners [time series]

EU 24%, US 22%, Japan 14%, ASEAN 12% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.5% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.8% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

8.9 million (December 1999)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.5% (1999)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 7,686,850 sq km land: 7,617,930 sq km water: 68,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than the US

Climate [time series]

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Coastline [time series]

25,760 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer

Irrigated land [time series]

21,070 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 54% forests and woodland: 19% other: 21% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

cyclones along the coast; severe droughts

Natural resources [time series]

bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum

Terrain [time series]

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Capital [time series]

Canberra

Constitution [time series]

9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia

Data code [time series]

Dependent areas [time series]

Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Genta Hawkins HOLMES embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (6) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (6) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael THAWLEY chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (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); Deputy Prime Minister John ANDERSON (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet selected from among the members of Federal Parliament by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars

Government type [time series]

democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign

Independence [time series]

1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

International organization participation [time series]

ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

High Court, the Chief Justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two territories; one-half of the members elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (148 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve three-year terms; no state can have fewer than five representatives) elections: Senate - last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held by October 2001); House of Representatives - last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held by October 2001) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 35, Australian Labor Party 29, Australian Democratic Party 9, Green Party 1, One Nation Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal Party-National Party coalition 80, Australian Labor Party 67, independent 1

National holiday [time series]

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Australian Democratic Party [Meg LEES]; Australian Labor Party [Kim BEAZLEY]; Green Party [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; National Party [John ANDERSON]; One Nation Party [Pauline HANSON]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Australian Democratic Labor Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to an independent republic, was defeated in 1999.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$6.9 billion (FY98/99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.9% (FY98/99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 4,963,948 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 4,282,821 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

17 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 135,434 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21% (male 2,052,095; female 1,954,543) 15-64 years: 67% (male 6,458,083; female 6,322,475) 65 years and over: 12% (male 1,040,950; female 1,340,937) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.08 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

5.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

English, native languages

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.75 years male: 76.9 years female: 82.74 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian

Net migration rate [time series]

4.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

19,169,083 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.02% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.79 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Territory)

Illicit drugs [time series]

Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

408 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 265 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 115 914 to 1,523 m: 120 under 914 m: 8 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 143 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 113 under 914 m: 12 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 913,000 km paved: 353,331 km (including 13,630 km of expressways) unpaved: 559,669 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,657,194 GRT/2,206,574 DWT ships by type: bulk 28, cargo 4, chemical tanker 4, container 1, liquified gas 4, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll-on/roll-off 6 (1999 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas 5,600 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport (Tasmania), Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart (Tasmania), Launceston (Tasmania), Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville

Railways [time series]

total: 33,819 km (2,540 km electrified) broad gauge: 3,719 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge: 15,422 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 14,506 km 1.067-m gauge dual gauge: 172 km NA gauges (1999)

Waterways [time series]

8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft