Immigration is an important feature of society in Australia. Over six million people have migrated there since 1945. These people come from over two hundred countries and settle there, making many contributions toward shaping a more modern Australia.
As an independent Western democracy, Australia is one of the most urbanized countries in the world and has a population of over twenty million. This population is concentrated on the eastern seaboard as well as the south east corner of the continent.
The economical unrest that has plagued most of the world these past years has had little effect on Australia’s economy. There is a vibrant rate of growth combined with low interest rates that boost the economy and create a stable job market. Business is very competitive and strongly financed. The high standard of living throughout most of the continent allows growth along with stability in education as well as health care.
Here are some facts about Australia
- It is the only nation to govern an entire continent plus the outlying islands.
- The mainland of Australia is the largest of all islands.
- Australia is the smallest and the flattest continent on the planet.
- The nation of Australia is sixth in size after Russia, China, Canada, the United States of America, and Brazil.
- For its size, Australia’s population is relatively small.
- The highest point (in altitude) on the continent is Mount Kosciuszko which is only 2228 metres in height.
- Other than Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent on earth.
- Low annual rainfall makes the land of Australia about three fourths either arid or semi arid. Irrigation is vital and fertile land accommodates plenty of agricultural growth.
- Sheep and cattle are found to graze the dry country particularly when there is rainfall.
There are six states and two territories that make up the Australian federation. The largest state is Western Australia which is comparable in size to Western Europe.
Australia has a high standard of living thanks mostly to its many abundant physical resources and vast amount of land to farm. The highly productive work force of Australia gives the nation a large employment base and high ranking in overall world productivity.
Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal peoples total over four hundred thousand in population which is nearly two point two percent of Australia’s total population. The Aboriginal people have lived on the continent for at least the past fifty to sixty thousand years, and may go back as far as one hundred thousand years.
The land mass is nearly eight million km, is among the driest in the world. It has extremes in climate as well as the topography of the land. From rain forest to wide open plains in the northern part of the continent, to an abundance of coastline, Australia is truly a land of plenty.
