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{{Infobox Country
| native_name              = Commonwealth of Australia
| common_name              = Australia
| image_flag               = Flag_of_Australia.svg
| image_coat               = Australian Coat of Arms.png
| image_map                = Location Australia.svg
| national_anthem          = ''[[Advance Australia Fair]]''{{ref|anthem explanation|Note1}}
| official_languages       = [[English language|English]] (''[[de facto]]''&nbsp;{{ref|official languages|Note2}})
| capital                  = [[Canberra]]
| Gemstone                 = [[opal]]
|latd=35 |latm=18 |latNS=S |longd=149 |longm=08 |longEW=E
| largest_city             = [[Sydney]]
| government_type          = [[Parliamentary democracy]] and [[constitutional monarchy]], ''see [[Government of Australia]]'' 
| leader_title1            = [[Monarchy in Australia|Monarch]]
| leader_title2            = [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]]
| leader_title3            = [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name1             = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]]
| leader_name2             = [[Michael Jeffery]]
| leader_name3             = [[Kevin Rudd]]
| area_rank                = 6th
| area_magnitude           = 1 E12
| area_km2                 = 7741220
| area_sq_mi               = 2988888 <!--Do not remove [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| percent_water            = 1
| population_estimate      = 21,350,000<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?OpenDocument Official Population Clock]</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2008
| population_estimate_rank = 53rd
| population_census        = 19,855,288
| population_census_year   = 2006
| population_density_km2   = 2.6
| population_density_sq_mi = 6.7 <!--Do not remove [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank  = 224th
| sovereignty_type         = [[Independence]]
| sovereignty_note         = from the [[United Kingdom]]
| established_event1       = [[Constitution of Australia|Constitution]]
| established_event2       = [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]]
| established_event3       = [[Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942|Statute of Westminster Adoption Act]]
| established_event4       = [[Australia Act 1986|Australia Act]]
| established_date1        = [[1 January]] [[1901]]
| established_date2        = [[11 December]] [[1931]]
| established_date3        = [[9 October]] [[1942]] (with effect from [[3 September]] [[1939]])
| established_date4        = [[3 March]] [[1986]]
| currency                 = [[Australian dollar]]
| currency_code            = AUD
| time_zone                = [[Time in Australia|various]]{{ref|time|Note3}}
| utc_offset               = +8 to +10.5
| time_zone_DST            = [[Time in Australia|various]]{{ref|time|Note3}}
| utc_offset_DST           = +9 to +11.5
| demonym                  = Australian, [[Aussie]]
| cctld                    = [[.au]]
| calling_code             = 61
| ISO_3166-1_alpha2        = AU
| ISO_3166-1_alpha3        = AUS
| ISO_3166-1_numeric       = 036
| sport_code               = AUS
| vehicle_code             = AUS
| GDP_PPP_year             = 2007
| GDP_PPP                  = US$718.4 billion (IMF)
| GDP_PPP_rank             = 17th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita       = US$34,359 (IMF)
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = 14th
| GDP_nominal              = US$1046.8 billion
| GDP_nominal_rank         = 13th
| GDP_nominal_year         = 2008
| GDP_nominal_per_capita   = US$49,271 (DFAT)
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 16th
| HDI_year                 = 2007
| HDI                      = {{steady}} 0.962
| HDI_rank                 = 3rd
| HDI_category             = <font color=#009900>high</font>
}}<!-- PLEASE USE AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH THROUGHOUT, i.e., use centre not center, neighbour not neighbor, and maximise the use of -is- rather than -iz-. Other style: the serial comma is established in this article as default usage; and the dash style is unspaced em dash (in accord with current AGPS Style Manual), not spaced em dash or spaced en dash (see [[WP:MOS]]). Maintain consistency of style, suppressing personal preferences.-->

The '''Commonwealth of Australia''' is a [[country]] in the [[southern hemisphere]] comprising the [[Australia (continent)|mainland]] of the world's smallest [[continent]], the major island of [[Tasmania]], and numerous [[list of islands of Australia|other islands]] in the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]]  and [[Pacific Ocean]]s.{{ref|Southern Ocean|Note4}} The neighbouring countries are [[Indonesia]], [[East Timor]], and [[Papua New Guinea]] to the north, the [[Solomon Islands]], [[Vanuatu]], and [[New Caledonia]] to the northeast, and [[New Zealand]] to the southeast. Australia is the only country that is also a continent.

The Australian mainland has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by [[indigenous Australians]].<ref>[http://news.softpedia.com/news/Both-Aborigines-and-Europeans-Rooted-in-Africa-54225.shtml Both Australian Aborigines and Europeans Rooted in Africa - 50,000 years ago]</ref> After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and then [[Europe]]an discovery by [[Dutch people|Dutch]] explorers in 1606,<ref>MacKnight, CC (1976). ''The Voyage to Marege: Macassan Trepangers in Northern Australia.'' Melbourne University Press</ref> the eastern half of Australia was later claimed by the [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] in 1770 and initially settled through [[penal transportation]] to the colony of [[New South Wales]], commencing on [[26 January]] [[1788]]. As the population grew and new areas were explored, another five largely [[Self-governance|self-governing]] [[British overseas territory|Crown Colonies]] were established during the 19th century.

On [[1 January]] [[1901]], the six colonies became a [[Federation of Australia|federation]], and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable [[liberal democracy|liberal democratic]] political system and remains a [[Commonwealth realm]]. The capital city is [[Canberra]], located in the [[Australian Capital Territory]] (ACT). The population is just over 21.3 million, with approximately 60% of the population concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals of [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], [[Brisbane]], [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], and [[Adelaide]].

== Etymology ==

[[Image:Flinders View of Port Jackson taken from South Head.jpg|thumb|left|Artist's rendition of [[Port Jackson]], the site where Sydney was established, viewed from the South Head. (From ''A Voyage to Terra Australis''.)]]
The name "[[List of country name etymologies#A#Australia|Australia]]" is derived from the [[Latin language|Latin]] ''Australis'', meaning "Southern". Legends of an "unknown land of the south" (''[[Terra Australis|terra australis incognita]]'') date back to [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times and were commonplace in medieval geography but were not based on any documented knowledge of the continent. In 1521 Spaniards were among the first Europeans to sail the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The first use of the word "Australia" in English was in 1625—the words "A note of Australia del Espiritu Santo, written by Master Hakluyt", published by [[Samuel Purchas]] in ''Hakluytus Posthumus''.<ref>Purchas, vol. iv, p. 1422–32, 1625. This appears to be variation of the original Spanish "Austrialia" [''sic''].  [http://www.hispanicfiesta.com.au/pics/pdf_mag_2004/42.PDF] A copy at the Library of Congress can be read online  [http://memory.loc.gov/service/rbc/rbdk/d0404/02951422.jpg]</ref> 
It is said that the name Australia originally came from the Spanish man Pedro Fernández de Quirós whose travels around the southern seas brought him close to the lands he named “Australia del Espiritu Santo” in honour of the House of [[Austria]] which, at the time, governed the Spanish Empire. The Dutch adjectival form ''Australische'' was used by [[Dutch East India Company]] officials in [[Jakarta|Batavia]] to refer to the newly discovered land to the south in 1638. "Australia" was used in a 1693 translation of ''Les Aventures de Jacques Sadeur dans la Découverte et le Voyage de la Terre Australe'', a 1676 French novel by [[Gabriel de Foigny]] under the pen name Jacques Sadeur.<ref>Sidney J. Baker, ''The Australian Language'', second edition, 1966.</ref> <!-- The 1676 version is rare. Regardless, it was the first edition of this book - some details are at http://www.ilab.org/db/detail.php?booknr=293280177 --> [[Alexander Dalrymple]] then used it in ''An Historical Collection of Voyages and Discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean'' (1771), to refer to the entire South Pacific region. In 1793, [[George Shaw]] and [[James Edward Smith|Sir James Smith]] published ''Zoology and Botany of New Holland'', in which they wrote of "the vast island, or rather continent, of Australia, Australasia or [[New Holland (Australia)|New Holland]]." 

The name "Australia" was popularised by the 1814 work ''A Voyage to Terra Australis'' by the navigator [[Matthew Flinders]], the first recorded person to circumnavigate Australia. Though its title reflected the  [[Admiralty|British Admiralty's]] usage, Flinders used the word "Australia" in his book, and because it was widely read it gave the term general currency. Governor [[Lachlan Macquarie]] of [[New South Wales]] subsequently used the word in his dispatches to England, and on [[12 December]] [[1817]] recommended to the Colonial Office that it be officially adopted.<ref>Weekend Australian, 30-31 December 2000, p. 16</ref> In 1824, the Admiralty agreed that the continent should be known officially as "Australia".

The word "Australia" in [[Australian English]] is {{Pron-en-au|əˈstɹæɪljə, -liːə, -jə}}.

== History ==
{{main|History of Australia}}
The first human habitation of Australia is estimated to have occurred between 42,000 and 48,000 years ago.<ref>Gillespie, R. (2002). Dating the first Australians. ''Radiocarbon'' 44:455–72; {{cite web|url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/arizona/rdc/2002/00000044/00000002/art00004|title=Dating the First Australians|publisher=Ingenta|accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> These first Australians were possibly the ancestors of the current Indigenous Australians; they may have arrived via [[land bridge]]s and short sea-crossings from present-day [[South-East Asia]]. Most of these people were [[hunter-gatherer]]s, with a complex [[Oral tradition|oral culture]] and spiritual values based on reverence for the land and a belief in the [[Dreamtime]]. The [[Torres Strait Islanders]], ethnically [[Melanesia]]n, inhabited the [[Torres Strait Islands]] and parts of far-north [[Queensland]]; their cultural practices were and remain distinct from those of the Aborigines.
[[Image:Endeavour replica in Cooktown harbour.jpg|left|thumb|Lieutenant [[James Cook]] charted the east coast of Australia on [[HM Bark Endeavour|HM Bark ''Endeavour'']], claiming the land for Great Britain in 1770. This replica was built in [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]] in 1988; photographed in [[Cooktown]] Harbour where Cook spent seven weeks.]]
The first recorded European sighting of the Australian mainland was made by the Dutch navigator [[Willem Janszoon]], who sighted the coast of [[Cape York Peninsula]] in 1606. During the 17th century, the Dutch charted the whole of the western and northern coastlines of what they called New Holland, but they made no attempt at settlement. In 1770, [[James Cook]] sailed along and mapped the east coast of Australia, which he named [[New South Wales]] and claimed for Great Britain. The expedition's discoveries provided impetus for the establishment of a [[penal colony]] there.

The British [[British overseas territory|Crown Colony]] of New South Wales started with the establishment of a settlement at [[Port Jackson]] by Captain [[Arthur Phillip]] on [[26 January]] [[1788]]. This date was later to become Australia's [[National Day|national day]], [[Australia Day]]. [[Van Diemen's Land]], now known as Tasmania, was settled in 1803 and became a separate colony in 1825. The United Kingdom formally claimed the western part of Australia in 1829. Separate colonies were created from parts of New South Wales: [[South Australia]] in 1836, [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] in 1851, and [[Queensland]] in 1859. The [[Northern Territory]] was founded in 1911 when it was excised from South Australia. South Australia was founded as a "free province"—that is, it was never a penal colony. Victoria and Western Australia were also founded "free" but later accepted transported convicts.<ref>[http://www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/PROVguides/PROVguide057/PROVguide057.jsp Convict Records] Public Record office of Victoria; [http://www.sro.wa.gov.au/collection/convict.asp State Records Office of Western Australia]</ref> The transportation of [[Convictism in Australia|convicts]] to the colony of New South Wales ceased in 1848 after a campaign by the settlers.<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs%40.nsf/0/A890E87A9AB97424CA2569DE0025C18B?Open Australian Bureau of Statistics 1998 Special Article] - The State of New South Wales</ref> 

[[Image:Port Arthur Seeseite.jpg|thumb|right|[[Port Arthur, Tasmania]] was Australia's largest [[jail|gaol]] for transported convicts.]]
The Indigenous Australian population, estimated at 350,000 at the time of European settlement,<ref>Smith, L. (1980), The Aboriginal Population of Australia, [[Australian National University]] Press, Canberra</ref> declined steeply for 150 years following settlement, mainly because of [[infectious disease]] combined with forced re-settlement and cultural disintegration.<ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/media_701508643/Smallpox_Through_History.html Smallpox Through History]</ref> The [[Stolen Generation|removal of children]] from their families, which some historians and Indigenous Australians have argued could be considered to constitute [[Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide|genocide]] by some definitions,<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/rsrch/rsrch_dp/genocide.htm
| title = Genocide in Australia
| accessdate = 2007-09-13
| last = Tatz
| first = Colin
| year = 1999
| work = AIATSIS Research Discussion Papers No 8
| publisher = [[Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies]]
| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050808002313/http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/rsrch/rsrch_dp/genocide.htm
| archivedate = 2005-08-08
}}
</ref>
may have contributed to the decline in the indigenous population. Such interpretations of Aboriginal history are disputed by some commentators as being exaggerated or fabricated for political or ideological reasons.<ref>Windschuttle, K. (2001). ''[http://www.newcriterion.com/archive/20/sept01/keith.htm# The Fabrication of Aboriginal History]'', [[The New Criterion]] Vol. 20, No. 1, [[September 20]].</ref> This debate is known within Australia as the [[History Wars]]. Following the [[Australian referendum, 1967 (Aboriginals)|1967 referendum]], the Federal government gained the power to implement policies and make laws with respect to Aborigines. Traditional ownership of land—[[native title]]—was not recognised until 1992, when the [[High Court of Australia|High Court]] case ''[[Mabo v Queensland|Mabo v Queensland (No 2)]]'' overturned the notion of Australia as ''[[terra nullius]]'' (lit. "land of none" or "empty land") at the time of European occupation.

[[Image:Anzac2.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Last Post]] is played at an [[ANZAC Day]] ceremony in [[Port Melbourne, Victoria]], [[25 April]] [[2005]]. Such ceremonies are held in virtually every suburb and town in Australia.]]

A [[gold rush]] began in Australia in the early 1850s, and the [[Eureka Stockade]] rebellion against mining licence fees in 1854 was an early expression of [[civil disobedience]]. Between 1855 and 1890, the six colonies individually gained [[responsible government]], managing most of their own affairs while remaining part of the [[British Empire]]. The Colonial Office in [[London]] retained control of some matters, notably foreign affairs, defence, and international shipping. On [[1 January]] [[1901]], [[Federation of Australia|federation]] of the colonies was achieved after a decade of planning, consultation, and voting. The Commonwealth of Australia was born as a [[Dominion]] of the British Empire. The [[Federal Capital Territory]] (later renamed the [[Australian Capital Territory]]) was formed from a part of New South Wales in 1911 to provide a location for the proposed new federal capital of Canberra (Melbourne was the temporary seat of government from 1901 to 1927 while Canberra was being constructed). The Northern Territory was transferred from the control of the South Australian government to the Commonwealth in 1911. Australia willingly participated in [[World War I]].<ref>Bean, C. Ed. (1941). [http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/ww1/1/index.asp Volume I - The Story of Anzac: the first phase], First World War Official Histories, Eleventh Edition.</ref> Many Australians regard the defeat of the [[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps]] (ANZACs) at [[Battle of Gallipoli|Gallipoli]] as the birth of the nation—its first major military action. The [[Kokoda Track Campaign]] is regarded by many as an analogous nation-defining event during [[World War II]].

The [[Statute of Westminster 1931]] formally ended most of the constitutional links between Australia and the United Kingdom when Australia [[Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942|adopted it]] in 1942, but backdated it to the beginning of World War II to confirm the validity of legislation passed by the Australian Parliament during the war. The shock of the United Kingdom's defeat in Asia in 1942 and the threat of [[Japanese Empire|Japanese]] [[invasion]] caused Australia to turn to the [[United States]] as a new ally and protector. Since 1951, Australia has been a formal military ally of the US under the auspices of the [[ANZUS]] treaty. After World War II, Australia encouraged [[immigration]] from Europe; since the 1970s and the abolition of the [[White Australia policy]], immigration from Asia and other non-European parts of the world was also encouraged. As a result, Australia's demography, culture and self-image have been transformed. The final constitutional ties between Australia and the UK were severed in 1986 with the passing of the [[Australia Act 1986]], ending any British role in the government of the Australian States, and ending judicial appeals to the UK [[Privy council|Privy Council]].<ref>Australia Act text [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/aa1986114/index.html]</ref> In 1999, Australian voters rejected by a majority of 54% a move to become a republic with a president appointed by two-thirds vote of both houses of the Australian Parliament. To alter the Australian constitution an Act of the Australian Parliament must occur as well as a referendum receiving not only a majority of votes across the country, but also a majority of votes in a majority of the six Australian states. The referendum of 1999 not only did not receive a majority of votes across the country, it also did not win one of the six Australian states. <ref>Australian Electoral Commission (2000).[http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/1999_Refferendum_Reports_Statistics/index.htm 1999 Referendum Reports and Statistics], accessed [[28 July]] [[2007]]</ref> <ref name = "Commonwealth_act"> Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act </ref> Since the election of the [[Gough Whitlam|Whitlam Government]] in 1972, there has been an increasing focus on the expansion of ties with other [[Pacific Rim]] nations while maintaining close ties with Australia's traditional allies and trading partners.

== Politics ==
{{main|Government of Australia|Politics of Australia|Monarchy in Australia}}
[[Image:NewParliamentHouseInCanberra.jpg|thumb|right|[[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]] in [[Canberra]] was opened in 1988 replacing the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|provisional Parliament House building]] opened in 1927.]]

The Commonwealth of Australia is a [[constitutional democracy]] based on a [[federalism|federal]] division of powers. The form of government used in Australia is a [[constitutional monarchy]] with a [[parliamentary system]] of government. [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] is the [[Queen of Australia]], a role that is distinct from her position as monarch of the other [[Commonwealth realm]]s. The Queen is represented by the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] at federal level and by the Governors at state level. Although the [[Constitution of Australia|Constitution]] gives extensive [[Executive (government)|executive powers]] to the Governor-General, these are normally exercised only on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]]. The most notable exercise of the Governor-General's [[reserve power]]s outside the Prime Minister's direction was the dismissal of the Whitlam Government in the [[Australian constitutional crisis of 1975|constitutional crisis of 1975]].<ref>Parliamentary Library (1997). [http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1997-98/98rn25.htm The Reserve Powers of the Governor-General]</ref>

There are [[Separation of powers|three branches of government]]:
* The legislature: the [[Parliament of Australia|Commonwealth Parliament]], comprising the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives; the Queen is represented by the Governor-General, who by convention acts on the advice of his or her Ministers. 
* The executive: the [[Federal Executive Council]] (the Governor-General as advised by the Executive Councillors); in practice, the councillors are the Prime Minister and Ministers of State.
* The judiciary: the [[High Court of Australia]] and other [[Australian court hierarchy|federal courts]]. Appeals from Australian courts to the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] in the United Kingdom ceased when the ''[[Australia Act]]'' was passed in 1986.

The [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] Commonwealth Parliament consists of the Queen, the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] (the upper house) of 76 senators, and a [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] (the lower house) of 150 members. Members of the lower house are elected from single-member constituencies, commonly known as "electorates" or "seats". Seats in the House of Representatives are allocated to states on the basis of population, with each original state guaranteed a minimum of five seats. In the Senate, each state is represented by 12 senators, and each of the territories (the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory) by two. Elections for both chambers are held every three years; senators have overlapping six-year terms, and only half of the seats are put to each election unless the cycle is interrupted by a [[double dissolution]]. The party with majority support in the House of Representatives forms government and its leader becomes Prime Minister.

There are two major political groups that form government: the [[Australian Labor Party]]<!-- NOTE TO EDITORS: The name of the party is spelt ‘Labor’ (ie, no ‘u’) even though Australian spelling for all other use of the word is ‘labour’. -->, and the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] which is a grouping of two parties: the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] and its minor partner, the [[National Party of Australia|National Party]]. Independent members and several minor parties—including the [[Australian Greens|Greens]] and the [[Australian Democrats]]—have achieved representation in Australian parliaments, mostly in upper houses. Since [[3 December]] [[2007]], shortly after the [[Australian federal election, 2007|2007 election]], the Labor Party led by the Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] has been in power in Canberra, and the party is now in power in every parliament in the country. In the [[Australian federal election, 2004|2004 election]], the previous governing Coalition led by [[John Howard]] won control of the Senate—the first time in more than 20 years that a party (or a coalition) has done so while in government. [[Compulsory voting|Voting is compulsory]] for all enrolled citizens 18 years and over, in each state and territory and at the federal level. Enrolment to vote is compulsory in all jurisdictions except South Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aec.gov.au/FAQs/Voting_Australia.htm#What%20happens%20if%20I%20do%20not%20vote |title=What happens if I do not vote? |work=Voting Australia - Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]] |accessdate=2008-01-08}}</ref>

== States and territories ==
{{Australia states imagemap}}
{{main|States and territories of Australia}}
Australia has six states, two major mainland territories, and other minor territories. The states are [[New South Wales]], [[Queensland]], [[South Australia]], [[Tasmania]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], and [[Western Australia]]. The two major mainland territories are the [[Northern Territory]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]] (ACT).
In most respects, the territories function like the states, but the Commonwealth Parliament can override any legislation of their parliaments. By contrast, federal legislation only overrides state legislation in certain areas that are set out in [[Section 51 of the Australian Constitution]]; state parliaments retain all residual legislative powers, including powers over hospitals, education, police, the judiciary, roads, public transport, and local government.

One interesting difference between Australia and the [[United States]] is that because the land area of the Commonwealth has not changed since federation, crown land in the states is the property of the state governments, not the commonwealth. The crown land owned by the Commonwealth consists of crown land in the territories and isolated small parcels used as airports etc. In the United States, because of its major expansion since federation, this only applies in the original [[thirteen colonies]] and [[Texas]]. 

Each state and territory has its own [[Parliaments of the Australian states and territories|legislature]]: [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] in the Northern Territory, the ACT, and Queensland, and [[bicameral]] in the remaining states. The [[lower house]] is known as the [[Legislative Assembly]] ([[House of Assembly]] in South Australia and Tasmania) and the [[upper house]] is known as the [[Legislative Council]]. The [[head of government|head of the government]] in each state is the [[Premiers of the Australian states|Premier]], and in each territory the [[Chief Minister]]. The Queen is represented in each state by a [[Governors of the Australian states|Governor]]; an [[Administrator of the Northern Territory|Administrator]] in the Northern Territory and the Australian Governor-General in the ACT, have analogous roles.

Australia also has several minor territories; the federal government administers a separate area within New South Wales, the [[Jervis Bay Territory]], as a [[naval base]] and [[sea port]] for the national capital. In addition Australia has the following inhabited external territories: [[Norfolk Island]], [[Christmas Island]], [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]], and several largely uninhabited external territories: [[Ashmore and Cartier Islands]], [[Coral Sea Islands]], [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands]], and the [[Australian Antarctic Territory]].

== Foreign relations and military ==
{{main|Foreign relations of Australia|Australian Defence Force}}
[[Image:War memorial 01.jpg|thumb|The [[Australian War Memorial]]]]
Over recent decades, [[Foreign relations of Australia|Australia's foreign relations]] have been driven by a close association with the United States through the [[ANZUS|ANZUS pact]], and by a desire to develop relationships with [[Asia]] and the Pacific, particularly through [[ASEAN]] and the [[Pacific Islands Forum]]. In 2005 Australia secured an inaugural seat at the [[East Asia Summit]] following its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Australia is a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], in which the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government]] meetings provide the main forum for cooperation. Australia has energetically pursued the cause of international trade liberalisation. Australia led the formation of the [[Cairns Group]] and [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]]. It is a member of the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] and the [[World Trade Organization]]. There are several major bilateral free trade agreements Australia has pursued, most recently the [[Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement]] and [[Closer Economic Relations]] with [[New Zealand]]. A founding member country of the [[United Nations]], Australia also maintains an international aid program under which some 60 countries receive assistance. The 2005–06 budget provides A$2.5&nbsp;billion for development assistance;<ref name = "budget">Australian Government. (2005). [http://www.budget.gov.au/ Budget 2005–2006]</ref> as a percentage of GDP, this contribution is less than that of the UN [[Millennium Development Goals]].

Australia's armed forces—the [[Australian Defence Force]] (ADF)—comprise the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN), the [[Australian Army]], and the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF), numbering about 51,000.<ref name="military">Nation Master [http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/as-australia/mil-military&all=1]</ref> All branches of the ADF have been involved in UN and regional peacekeeping (most recently in [[East Timor]], the [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Sudan]]), disaster relief, and armed conflict, including the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. The government appoints the [[Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)|Chief of the Defence Force]] from one of the armed services; the current Chief of the Defence Force is Air Chief Marshal [[Angus Houston]]. In the 2006–07 budget, defence spending is A$22&nbsp;billion.<ref>Australian Department of Defence (2006).[http://www.defence.gov.au/budget/06-07/pbs/index.htm ''Portfolio Budget Statements 2006–07.'']Page 19.</ref> While the Governor-General is the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, he or she does not play an active part in the ADF's command structure; the elected Australian Government controls the ADF.<ref>{{cite book |title=Australian Defence Almanac 2004–05 |last=Khosa |first=Raspal |year=2004 |publisher=[[Australian Strategic Policy Institute]] |location=Canberra|isbn= |pages=p. 4}} </ref>

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Australia|Climate of Australia|Environment in Australia}}
[[Image:Australia-climate-map MJC01.png|right|thumb|Climatic zones in Australia, based on [[Köppen classification]].]]
Australia's 7,617,930&nbsp;square kilometres (2,941,299&nbsp;sq.&nbsp;mi) landmass<ref name="Size">{{cite web | url = http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/dimensions/compare.htm | title = Australia's Size Compared| publisher = Geoscience Australia| accessdate = 2007-05-19 }}</ref> is on the [[Indo-Australian Plate]]. Surrounded by the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]]{{ref|Southern Ocean|N4}} and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] oceans, Australia is separated from Asia by the [[Arafura Sea|Arafura]] and [[Timor Sea|Timor]] seas. Australia has 34,218&nbsp;kilometres (21,262&nbsp;mi) of coastline (excluding all offshore islands)<ref name="Coast">{{cite web | url = http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2006/publications/drs/indicator/142/index.html | title = State of the Environment 2006| publisher = Department of the Environment and Water Resources| accessdate = 2007-05-19 }}</ref> and claims an extensive [[exclusive economic zone]] of 8,148,250&nbsp;square kilometres (3,146,057&nbsp;sq.&nbsp;mi). This exclusive economic zone does not include the [[Australian Antarctic Territory]].

The [[Great Barrier Reef]], the world's largest [[coral reef]],<ref name = UNEP>{{cite web|author=UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre |year=1980|title=Protected Areas and World Heritage - Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area|url=http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/gbrmp.html|publisher=[[Department of the Environment and Heritage]]|accessdate=2007-05-19}}</ref> lies a short distance off the northeast coast and extends for over 2,000&nbsp;kilometres (1,250&nbsp;mi). [[Mount Augustus National Park|Mount Augustus]], claimed to be the world's largest [[monolith]],<ref name="Monolith">{{cite web | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/Western-Australia/Mount-Augustus/2005/02/17/1108500208314.html | title = Mount Augustus| publisher = The Sydney Morning Herald| accessdate = 2007-05-19 }}</ref> is located in Western Australia. At 2,228&nbsp;metres (7,310&nbsp;ft), [[Mount Kosciuszko]] on the [[Great Dividing Range]] is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland, although [[Mawson Peak]] on the remote Australian territory of [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|Heard Island]] is taller at 2,745&nbsp;metres (9,006&nbsp;ft).

By far the largest part of Australia is [[Deserts of Australia|desert]] or semi-arid lands commonly known as the [[outback]]. Australia is the flattest continent, with the oldest and least fertile soils, and is the driest inhabited continent. Only the southeast and southwest corners of the continent have a [[temperate climate]]. Most of the population lives along the temperate southeastern coastline. The landscapes of the northern part of the country, with a tropical climate, consist of [[rainforest]], [[woodland]], [[grassland]], [[mangrove]] swamps, and desert. The climate is significantly influenced by ocean currents, including the [[El Niño]] southern oscillation, which is correlated with periodic [[Drought in Australia|drought]], and the seasonal tropical low pressure system that produces [[cyclone]]s in northern Australia.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/climate-watch/no-more-drought-its-a-permanent-dry/2007/09/06/1188783415754.html No more drought: it's a "permanent dry"]; [http://news.independent.co.uk/world/australasia/article2465960.ece Australia's epic drought: The situation is grim].</ref> In June 2008 it became known that an expert panel had warned of long term, maybe irreversible, severe ecological damage for the whole [[Murray-Darling basin]] if it does not receive sufficient water by October.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7460492.stm Australian rivers 'face disaster'], BBC News</ref>

===Ecology===
[[Image:Koala climbing tree.jpg|left|thumb|The [[koala]] and the ''[[eucalyptus]]'' forming an iconic Australian pair.]]
Although most of Australia is semi-arid or desert, it includes a diverse range of habitats, from [[alpine]] heaths to tropical rainforests and is recognised as a [[Megadiverse Countries|megadiverse country]]. Because of the continent's great age (and consequent low levels of fertility), its extremely variable weather patterns, and its long-term geographic isolation, much of Australia's [[biota (ecology)|biota]] is unique and [[biodiversity|diverse]]. About 85% of flowering plants, 84% of mammals, more than 45% of [[List of Australian birds|birds]], and 89% of in-shore, temperate-zone fish are [[Endemic (ecology)|endemic]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/about-biodiversity.html
| title = About Biodiversity
| accessdate = 2007-09-18
| publisher = Department of the Environment and Heritage
| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070205015628/www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/about-biodiversity.html
| archivedate = 2007-02-05
}}
</ref> Australia has the greatest number of reptiles of any country, with 755 species.<ref>http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/468283.html</ref> Many of Australia's ecoregions, and the species within those regions, are threatened by human activities and [[Invasive species in Australia|introduced]] plant and animal species. The federal ''Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999'' is a legal framework for the protection of threatened species. Numerous [[Protected areas of Australia|protected areas]] have been created under the national [[Biodiversity Action Plan]] to protect and preserve unique ecosystems; 64 wetlands are registered under the [[Ramsar Convention]], and 16 [[World Heritage Site]]s have been established. Australia was ranked 13th in the world on the 2005 [[Environmental Sustainability Index]].<ref name="ESI">{{cite web | url = http://www.yale.edu/esi/b_countryprofiles.pdf | title = 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index (pg.112)| publisher = Yale University| accessdate = 2007-05-20}}</ref> [[Forests of Australia|Australian forests]] often contain a wide variety of [[eucalyptus]] trees and are mostly located in higher rainfall regions.

Most Australian woody plant species are evergreen and many are adapted to fire and drought, including many [[eucalypt]]s and [[acacia]]s. Australia has a rich variety of endemic [[legume]] species that thrive in nutrient-poor soils because of their symbiosis with [[Rhizobia]] bacteria and [[mycorrhiza]]l fungi. Among well-known [[fauna of Australia|Australian fauna]] are the [[monotreme]]s (the [[platypus]] and the [[echidna]]); a host of [[marsupial]]s, including the [[kangaroo]], the [[koala]], and the [[wombat]]; the [[Saltwater Crocodile|saltwater]] and [[Freshwater Crocodile|freshwater]] crocodiles; and birds such as the [[emu]] and the [[kookaburra]]. Australia is home to the largest number of venomous [[snake]]s in the world.<ref name="Sinha">
{{Citation
  | last =Sinha
  | first =Kounteya
  | author-link =
  | title = No more the land of snake charmers...
  | newspaper = The Times of India
  | pages =
  | year =2006
  | date =25 Jul 2006
  | url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1803026.cms }}
</ref> The [[dingo]] was introduced by Austronesian people who traded with Indigenous Australians around 3000 [[Common Era|BCE]].<ref name="savolainen2004">Savolainen, P. et al. 2004. A detailed picture of the origin of the Australian dingo, obtained from the study of mitochondrial DNA. ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America''. 101:12387–12390 PMID</ref> Many plant and animal species became extinct soon after first human settlement, including the [[Australian megafauna]]; others have become extinct since European settlement, among them the [[Thylacine]].<ref name="NW">{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalworlds.org/thylacine/additional/persecution/image_6.htm|title=Additional Thylacine Topics: Persecution|publisher=The Thylacine Museum|date=2006|accessdaymonth=27 November |accessyear=2006}}; {{cite web|url=http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ts-day/index.html|title=National Threatened Species Day|publisher=Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government|date=2006|accessdaymonth=21 November |accessyear=2006}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Australia}}
[[Image:Kalgoorlie The Big Pit DSC04498.JPG|thumb|[[Super Pit gold mine|The Super Pit]] in [[Kalgoorlie]], Australia's largest [[Open-pit mining|open cut]] gold mine]]

Australia has a prosperous, [[Western world|Western]]-style [[mixed economy]], with a per capita [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] slightly higher than that of the [[UK]], [[Germany]], and [[France]] in terms of [[purchasing power parity]]. The country was ranked third in the [[United Nations]]' 2007 [[Human Development Index]] and sixth in ''[[The Economist]]'' worldwide quality-of-life index 2005. The absence of an export-oriented manufacturing industry has been considered a key weakness of the Australian economy. More recently, rising prices for Australia's commodity exports and increasing tourism have made this criticism less relevant. Nevertheless, Australia has the world's fourth largest [[current account deficit]] in absolute terms (in relative terms it is more than 7% of GDP). This is considered problematic by some economists, especially since it has coincided with the high terms of trade and low interest rates that make the cost of servicing the foreign debt low.<ref>Colebach, T. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Tim-Colebatch/Were-on-a-long-and-slippery-slide-to-disaster/2005/03/01/1109546867448.html We're on a long and slippery slide to disaster], [[March 2]] [[2005]], ''The Age''</ref>

The [[Bob Hawke|Hawke Government]] started the process of economic reform by [[Floating exchange rate|floating]] the [[Australian dollar]] in 1983 and partially deregulating the financial system.<ref>Macfarlane, I. J. (1998). [http://www.rba.gov.au/PublicationsAndResearch/Bulletin/bu_oct98/bu_1098_2.pdf Australian Monetary Policy in the Last Quarter of the Twentieth Century]. ''Reserve Bank of Australia Bulletin'', October</ref> The Howard government continued the process of microeconomic reform, including a [[WorkChoices|partial deregulation of the labour market]] and the privatisation of state-owned businesses, most notably in the [[Communications in Australia|telecommunications]] industry.<ref>Parham, D. (2002). [http://www.pc.gov.au/research/confproc/mrrag/mrrag.pdf Microeconomic reforms and the revival in Australia’s growth in productivity and living standards]. ''Conference of Economists'', Adelaide, [[1 October]]</ref> The indirect tax system was substantially reformed in July 2000 with the introduction of a 10% [[Goods and Services Tax (Australia)|Goods and Services Tax]] (GST), which has slightly reduced the heavy reliance on personal and company income tax that characterises Australia's tax system.

In January 2007, there were 10,033,480 people employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%.<ref>Australian Bureau of Statistics. Labour Force Australia. Cat#6202.0</ref> Over the past decade, inflation has typically been 2–3% and the base interest rate 5–6%. The service sector of the economy, including tourism, education and financial services, constitutes 69% of GDP.<ref>Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2003). ''Advancing the National Interest'', [http://www.dfat.gov.au/ani/appendix_one.pdf Appendix 1]</ref> [[Agriculture in Australia|Agriculture]] and natural resources constitute 3% and 5% of GDP but contribute substantially to [[export performance]]. Australia's largest export markets include [[Japan]], [[China]], the U.S., [[South Korea]] and New Zealand.<ref name = "Year Book 2005">Australian Bureau of Statistics. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument Year Book Australia 2005]</ref>

== Demography ==
{{USCensusPop
| 1900 = 3765400
| 1910 = 4525100
| 1920 = 5411000
| 1930 = 6501000
| 1940 = 7078000
| 1950 = 8307000
| 1960 = 10392000
| 1970 = 12663000
| 1980 = 14726000
| 1990 = 17169000
| 2000 = 19169000
| 2007 = 21106778
| estimate = 21197569
| estyear = 2008
| estref = 
| footnote = http://populstat.info/Oceania/australc.htm
}}
{{main|Demographics of Australia|Immigration to Australia}}
Most of the estimated 21.3 million Australians are descended from colonial-era settlers and post-Federation immigrants from [[Europe]], with almost 90% of the population being of [[European ethnic groups|European]] descent. For generations, the vast majority of both colonial-era settlers and post-Federation immigrants came almost exclusively from the [[British Isles]], and the people of Australia are still mainly of [[British people|British]] or [[Irish people|Irish]] ethnic origin.

Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of [[World War I]],<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3105.0.65.0012006?OpenDocument
| title = 3105.0.65.001 - Australian Historical Population Statistics, 2006
| accessdate = 2007-09-18
| date = [[2006-05-23]]
| format = [[Microsoft Excel|XLS]]
| publisher = [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]
| quote = Australian population: (1919) 5,080,912; (2006) 20,209,993
}}
</ref>
spurred by an ambitious [[Immigration to Australia|immigration]] program. Following [[World War II]] and through to 2000, almost 5.9 million  of the total population settled in the country as new immigrants, meaning that nearly two out of every seven Australians were born overseas.<ref name="Immigration">{{cite web | url = http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2698.htm | title = Background note: Australia| publisher = US Department of State| accessdate = 2007-05-19}}</ref> Most immigrants are skilled,<ref name="immig">[http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/20planning.htm Australian Immigration Fact Sheet]</ref> but the immigration quota includes categories for family members and [[refugee]]s.<ref name="immig"/> In 2001, the five largest groups of the 23.1% of Australians who were born overseas were from the [[Anglo-Celtic Australian|United Kingdom]], New Zealand, [[Italian Australians|Italy]], [[Vietnamese Australian|Vietnam]], and [[Chinese Australian|China]].<ref name = "Year Book 2005">Australian Bureau of Statistics. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument Year Book Australia 2005]</ref><ref>[http://elecpress.monash.edu.au/pnp/free/pnpv7n4/v7n4_3price.pdf Australian Population: Ethnic Origins]</ref> Following the abolition of the [[White Australia policy]] in 1973, numerous government initiatives have been established to encourage and promote racial harmony based on a policy of [[multiculturalism]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.immi.gov.au/facts/06evolution.htm
| title = The Evolution of Australia's Multicultural Policy
| accessdate = 2007-09-18
| year = 2005
| publisher = Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060219130703/http://www.immi.gov.au/facts/06evolution.htm
| archivedate = 2006-02-19
}}
</ref>
In 2005–06, more than 131,000 people emigrated to Australia, mainly from [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]].<ref>[http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2006/v06297.htm Settler numbers on the rise]</ref> Migration target for 2006–07 was 144,000.<ref>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/countrydata/country.cfm Inflow of foreign-born population by country of birth, by year]; [http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/20planning.htm Australian Immigration Fact Sheet 20. Migration Programme Planning Levels]</ref>
[[Image:Perth Skyline.jpg|thumb|left|[[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia]] is one of the most isolated regional capital cities in the world.]]

The Indigenous population—mainland [[Indigenous Australians|Aborigines]] and [[Torres Strait Islands|Torres Strait Islanders]]—was 410,003 (2.2% of the total population) in 2001, a significant increase from the 1976 census, which showed an indigenous population of 115,953. Indigenous Australians suffer from higher rates of imprisonment and unemployment, lower levels of education, and life expectancies for males and females that are 17 years lower than those of non-indigenous Australians.<ref name = "Year Book 2005">Australian Bureau of Statistics. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument Year Book Australia 2005]</ref>

In common with many other developed countries, Australia is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. A large number of Australians (759,849 for the period 2002–03<ref>Parliament of Australia, Senate (2005). [http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/legcon_ctte/expats03/ Inquiry into Australian Expatriates]</ref>) live outside their home country.

English is the national language;<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.immi.gov.au/multicultural/_inc/publications/confer/04/speech18b.htm
| title = Pluralist Nations: Pluralist Language Policies?
| accessdate = 2007-09-18
| year = 1995
| publisher = Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050717200122/http://www.immi.gov.au/multicultural/_inc/publications/confer/04/speech18b.htm
| archivedate = 2005-07-17
}}
</ref> [[Australian English]] has its own distinctive accent and vocabulary. According to the 2001 census, [[English language|English]] is the only language spoken in the home for around 80% of the population. The next most common languages spoken at home are Chinese (2.1%), Italian (1.9%), and Greek (1.4%). A considerable proportion of first- and second-generation migrants are [[Multilingualism|bilingual]]. It is believed that there were between 200 and 300 [[Australian Aboriginal languages]] at the time of first European contact. Only about 70 of these languages have survived, and all but 20 of these are now [[endangered languages|endangered]]. An indigenous language remains the main language for about 50,000 (0.25%) people. Australia has a [[sign language]] known as [[Auslan]], which is the main language of about 6,500 deaf people.
[[Image:Tanunda.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Barossa Valley]] wine producing region of South Australia; fewer than 15% of Australians live in rural areas.]]
Australia has no [[state religion]]. In the 2006 census, 64% of Australians were listed as [[Christianity|Christian]] of any denomination, including 26% as [[Roman Catholic Church in Australia|Roman Catholic]] and 19% as [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]]. Nineteen percent were listed as "[[Irreligion in Australia|No Religion]]" (which includes [[secular humanism|humanism]], [[atheism]], [[agnosticism]], and [[rationalism]]); and a further 12% declined to answer or did not give a response adequate for interpretation. About 5% were of non-Christian religions.  As in many Western countries, the level of active participation in church worship is much lower than this; weekly attendance at church services is about 1.5 million: about 7.5% of the population.<ref>[http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083 NCLS releases latest estimates of church attendance], National Church Life Survey, Media release, [[28 February]] [[2004]]</ref>

School attendance is compulsory throughout Australia, starting at 6 years and ending at 15 years (16 years in South Australia and Tasmania and 17 years in Western Australia and Queensland), contributing to an adult literacy rate that is assumed to be 99%. The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks Australia's education as the 8th best in the world: a significantly better ranking than the OECD average.<ref>http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf</ref> Government grants have supported the establishment of Australia's 38 universities and although several private universities have been established, the majority receive government funding. There is a state-based system of vocational training, higher than colleges, known as [[Technical and Further Education|TAFE Institutes]], and many trades conduct apprenticeships for training new tradespeople. Approximately 58% of Australians between the ages of 25 and 64 have vocational or tertiary qualifications,<ref name="Year Book 2005">Australian Bureau of Statistics. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument Year Book Australia 2005]</ref> and the tertiary graduation rate of 49% is the highest among [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD) countries. The ratio of international to local students in tertiary education in Australia is the highest in the OECD countries.<ref>[http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eoecd%2Eorg%2Fdataoecd%2F20%2F25%2F35345692%2Epdf Education at Glance 2005] by [[OECD]]: Percentage of foreign students in tertiary education.</ref>

{{Largest cities of Australia}}

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Australia}}
[[Image:Royal exhibition building tulips straight.jpg|right|thumb||The [[Royal Exhibition Building]] in Melbourne was the first building in Australia to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.]]
Since 1788, the primary basis of Australian culture has been [[Anglo-Celtic]], although distinctive Australian features soon arose from the country's unique environment and the pre-existing indigenous culture. Over the past 50 years, Australian culture has been strongly influenced by American popular culture (particularly television and cinema), large-scale immigration from non-English-speaking countries and Australia's Asian neighbours. The vigour and originality of the arts in Australia—literature, cinema, opera, music, painting, theatre, dance, and  crafts—have achieved international recognition.

Australian visual arts have a long history, starting with the [[Cave painting|cave]] and bark paintings of its indigenous peoples. From the time of European settlement, a common theme in [[Art of Australia|Australian art]] has been the Australian landscape, seen for example in the works of [[Arthur Streeton]], [[Arthur Boyd]], and [[Albert Namatjira]]. The traditions of indigenous Australians are largely transmitted orally and are closely tied to ceremony and the telling of the stories of the [[Dreamtime (mythology)|Dreamtime]]. [[Australian Aboriginal music]], dance, and [[Australian Aboriginal art|art]] have a palpable influence on contemporary Australian visual and performing arts. The [[National Gallery of Australia]] and the various state art galleries have strong collections of Australian and overseas artworks and are highly attended by Australians. Australia has an active tradition of music, ballet, and theatre; many of its performing arts companies receive public funding through the federal government's [[Australia Council for the Arts|Australia Council]]. There is a [[Orchestra|symphony orchestra]] in each state's capital city, and a national opera company, [[Opera Australia]], first made prominent by the renowned diva [[Joan Sutherland|Dame Joan Sutherland]]. [[Nellie Melba|Dame Nellie Melba]] was her great predecessor. [[Music of Australia|Australian music]] includes classical, jazz, and many popular genres. Ballet and dance are also represented across the nation by [[The Australian Ballet]] and various state dance companies. [[Robert Helpmann|Sir Robert Helpmann]] featured as a great Australian dancer and has been followed by numerous others including the current artistic director of the Australian Ballet, [[David McAllister]]. Each state has a publicly funded theatre company. Australia has produced many great actors including [[Nicole Kidman]] and the current joint director of the [[Sydney Theatre Company]], [[Cate Blanchett]]. 

[[Australian literature]] has also been influenced by the landscape; the works of writers such as [[Banjo Paterson]] and [[Henry Lawson]] captured the experience of the Australian [[The Bush|bush]]. The character of colonial Australia, as embodied in early literature, resonates with modern Australia and its perceived emphasis on [[egalitarianism]], mateship, and a perceived anti-authoritarianism. In 1973, [[Patrick White]] was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]], the only Australian to have achieved this; he is recognised as one of the great English-language writers of the 20th century. [[Colleen McCullough]] [[David Williamson]] and [[David Malouf]] are also writers of great renown. Australian English is a major variety of the language; its grammar and spelling are largely based on those of British English, overlaid with a rich vernacular of unique lexical items and phrases, some of which have found their way into standard English. Australian English has much less internal dialectal variation than either British or American English although pronunciation of words and word usage can vary amongst regions.

[[Image:Ruckwork.jpg|thumb|left|clear:both|[[Australian rules football]] was developed in Victoria in the late 1850s and is played at amateur and professional levels. It is the most popular spectator sport in Australia, in terms of annual attendances and club memberships.]]
Australia has two public broadcasters (the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] and the multicultural [[Special Broadcasting Service]]), three commercial [[television network]]s, several pay-TV services, and numerous public, non-profit television and radio stations. [[Cinema of Australia|Australia's film industry]] has achieved many critical and commercial successes. Each major city has daily newspapers, and there are two national daily newspapers, ''[[The Australian]]'' and ''[[The Australian Financial Review]]''. According to [[Reporters Without Borders]] in 2007, Australia was in 28th position on a list of countries ranked by [[freedom of the press|press freedom]], behind New Zealand (15th) and the United Kingdom (24th) but ahead of the United States (48th). This low ranking is primarily because of the limited diversity of commercial media ownership in Australia;{{Fact|date=October 2007}} in particular, most Australian [[Publishing|print media]] are under the control of [[News Corporation]] and [[John Fairfax Holdings]].

Sport plays an important part in Australian culture, assisted by a climate that favours outdoor activities; 23.5% Australians over the age of 15 regularly participate in organised sporting activities.<ref name = "Year Book 2005">Australian Bureau of Statistics. [http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument Year Book Australia 2005]</ref> At an international level, Australia has strong teams in [[cricket]], [[field hockey]], [[netball]], [[rugby league]], and [[rugby union]], and it performs well in cycling, rowing, and swimming. Nationally, other popular sports include [[Australian rules football]], horse racing, [[football (soccer)|soccer]], and motor racing. Australia has participated in every summer [[Olympic Games]] of the modern era, and every [[Commonwealth Games]]. Australia hosted the [[1956 Summer Olympics]] in [[Melbourne]] and the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in [[Sydney]], and has ranked among the top five medal-takers since 2000. Australia has also hosted the [[1938 British Empire Games|1938]], [[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1962]], [[1982 Commonwealth Games|1982]], and [[2006 Commonwealth Games]]. Other major international events held in Australia include the [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] [[Australian Open]] tennis tournament, international cricket matches, and the Formula One [[Australian Grand Prix]]. Viewing televised sport is popular; the highest-rating television programs include the summer Olympic Games and the [[grand final]]s of local and international football (various codes) competitions.<ref>Australian Film Commission. What are Australians Watching?, [http://www.afc.gov.au/gtp/freetv.html Free-to-Air, 1999–2004 TV]</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of basic Australia topics]]

== Notes ==
<div class="references-small">
# {{note|anthem explanation}} Australia also has a [[royal anthem]], "[[God Save the Queen|God Save the Queen (or King)]]", which is played in the presence of a member of the [[Royal Family]] when they are in Australia.  In all other appropriate contexts, the [[national anthem]] of Australia, "[[Advance Australia Fair]]", is played.<ref>[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/anthem.cfm It's an Honour - Symbols - Australian National Anthem] and [http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/nat_anthem.html DFAT - "The Australian National Anthem"]; {{cite book | title = Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia | edition = 29th Edition | year = 2002 (updated 2005) | chapter = National Symbols | chapterurl = http://www.aph.gov.au/library/handbook/40thparl/national%20symbols.pdf | accessdate = 2007-06-07}}</ref>
# {{note|official languages}} English does not have ''de jure'' official status.<ref>[http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/multicultural/confer/04/speech18b.htm Department of Immigration and Citizenship]</ref>
# {{note|time}}There are minor variations from these three time zones, see [[Time in Australia]].
# {{note|Southern Ocean}} Australia describes the body of water south of its mainland as the [[Southern Ocean]], rather than the [[Indian Ocean]] as defined by the [[International Hydrographic Organization]] (IHO). In 2000, a vote of IHO member nations defined the term "Southern Ocean" as applying only to the waters between Antarctica and 60 degrees south latitude.
</div>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
* Denoon, Donald, et al. (2000). ''A History of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific''. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 0631179623.
* Hughes, Robert (1986). ''The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding''. Knopf. ISBN 0394506685.
* Macintyre, Stuart (2000). ''A Concise History of Australia''. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521623596.
* Powell, J. M. (1988). ''An Historical Geography of Modern Australia: The Restive Fringe''. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521256194.

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Australia}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia-2|2006-01-17|AustraliaPart1.ogg|AustraliaPart2.ogg|}}
{{wikiatlas|Australia}}
* {{wikimapia|135703125|26115986|4|Australia}}
* [http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/australia/ About Australia] from the [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)|Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]]
* {{CIA_World_Factbook_link|as|Australia}}
* [http://www.gov.au/ Governments of Australia Entry Point] (Federal, State & Territory)
* [http://www.australia.gov.au/ Australian Government Entry Portal]
* [http://www.abs.gov.au/ Australian Bureau of Statistics]
* [http://www.community.gov.au/ Community organisations portal]
* [http://www.australia.gov.au/44 Cultural Institutions]
* [http://www.australia.com/ Tourism Australia]
* {{wikitravel|Australia}}
* {{dmoz|Regional/Oceania/Australia/}}
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{{Topics in Australia}}
{{Countries and territories of Oceania}}
{{Anglophone states}}
{{English official language clickable map}}
{{Commonwealth Realms}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations}}
{{Featured article}}

[[Category:Australia| ]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Members of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:Constitutional monarchies]]
[[Category:Federal countries]]
[[Category:Former British colonies]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1901]]
[[Category:Liberal democracies]]

{{Link FA|af}}
{{Link FA|de}}
{{Link FA|fa}}
{{Link FA|sr}}

[[af:Australië]]
[[als:Australien]]
[[ar:أستراليا]]
[[an:Australia]]
[[arc:ܐܘܣܛܪܠܝܐ (ܐܬܪܐ)]]
[[frp:Ôstralie]]
[[ast:Australia]]
[[az:Avstraliya]]
[[bn:অস্ট্রেলিয়া]]
[[zh-min-nan:Australia]]
[[ba:Австралия]]
[[be:Аўстралія]]
[[be-x-old:Аўстралія]]
[[bi:Ostrelia]]
[[bar:Australien]]
[[bo:ཨོ་སེ་ཐེ་ལི་ཡ]]
[[bs:Australija]]
[[br:Aostralia]]
[[bg:Австралия]]
[[ca:Austràlia]]
[[cv:Австрали]]
[[ceb:Australya]]
[[cs:Austrálie]]
[[cy:Awstralia]]
[[da:Australien]]
[[pdc:Australie]]
[[de:Australien]]
[[dv:އޮސްޓަރުލިޔާ]]
[[dsb:Awstralska (kraj)]]
[[dz:ཨས་ཊེཡེ་ལི་ཡ་]]
[[et:Austraalia]]
[[el:Αυστραλία]]
[[es:Australia]]
[[eo:Aŭstralio]]
[[ext:Astrália]]
[[eu:Australia]]
[[fa:استرالیا]]
[[fo:Avstralia]]
[[hif:Australia]]
[[fr:Australie]]
[[fy:Austraalje (lân)]]
[[fur:Australie]]
[[ga:An Astráil]]
[[gan:澳大利亞]]
[[gv:Yn Austrail]]
[[gd:Astràilia]]
[[gl:Australia]]
[[zh-classical:澳大利亞]]
[[hak:O-thai-li-â]]
[[ko:오스트레일리아]]
[[hy:Ավստրալիա]]
[[hi:ऑस्ट्रेलिया]]
[[hsb:Awstralska]]
[[hr:Australija]]
[[io:Australia]]
[[ig:Australia]]
[[bpy:অস্ট্রেলিয়া]]
[[id:Australia]]
[[ia:Australia]]
[[ie:Australia]]
[[iu:ᐊᔅᑦᕌᓕᐊ/astraalia]]
[[os:Австрали]]
[[zu:I-Ostreliya]]
[[is:Ástralía]]
[[it:Australia]]
[[he:אוסטרליה]]
[[jv:Australia]]
[[pam:Australia]]
[[kn:ಆಸ್ಟ್ರೇಲಿಯ]]
[[ka:ავსტრალია]]
[[kk:Аустралия]]
[[kw:Ostrali]]
[[rw:Ostrariya]]
[[ky:Австралия]]
[[ht:Ostrali]]
[[ku:Aûstralya]]
[[lo:ປະເທດອົດສະຕາລີ]]
[[la:Australia]]
[[lv:Austrālija (valsts)]]
[[lb:Australien]]
[[lt:Australija]]
[[lij:Australia]]
[[li:Australië]]
[[jbo:sralygu'e]]
[[hu:Ausztrália]]
[[mk:Австралија]]
[[mg:Aostralia]]
[[ml:ഓസ്ട്രേലിയ]]
[[mt:Awstralja]]
[[mi:Ahitereiria]]
[[mr:ऑस्ट्रेलिया]]
[[ms:Australia]]
[[cdo:Ó̤-ciŭ]]
[[mdf:Австралия]]
[[mn:Австрали]]
[[nah:Australlān]]
[[na:Otereiriya]]
[[nl:Australië (land)]]
[[ne:अस्ट्रेलिया]]
[[ja:オーストラリア]]
[[pih:Ostrielya]]
[[no:Australia]]
[[nn:Australia]]
[[nrm:Australie]]
[[nov:Australia]]
[[oc:Austràlia]]
[[om:Australia]]
[[uz:Avstraliya Hamjamiyati]]
[[pa:ਆਸਟਰੇਲਿਆ]]
[[ps:آسټراليا]]
[[km:អូស្ត្រាលី]]
[[pms:Australia]]
[[nds:Australien]]
[[pl:Australia]]
[[pt:Austrália]]
[[crh:Avstraliya]]
[[ty:Autereraria]]
[[ro:Australia]]
[[rm:Australia]]
[[qu:Awstralya]]
[[ru:Австралия]]
[[se:Austrália]]
[[sm:Ausetalia]]
[[sa:आस्ट्रेलिया]]
[[sco:Australie]]
[[sq:Australia]]
[[scn:Australia]]
[[simple:Australia]]
[[sk:Austrália (štát)]]
[[sl:Avstralija]]
[[szl:Australijo]]
[[sr:Аустралија]]
[[sh:Australija]]
[[fi:Australia]]
[[sv:Australien]]
[[tl:Australia]]
[[ta:ஆஸ்திரேலியா]]
[[te:ఆస్ట్రేలియా]]
[[tet:Austrália]]
[[th:ประเทศออสเตรเลีย]]
[[vi:Úc]]
[[tg:Австралия]]
[[tpi:Ostrelia]]
[[tr:Avustralya]]
[[uk:Австралійський Союз]]
[[ur:آسٹریلیا]]
[[vec:Austrałia]]
[[vo:Laustralän]]
[[wo:Óstraali]]
[[wuu:澳大利亚]]
[[yi:אויסטראליע]]
[[zh-yue:澳洲]]
[[diq:Awıstralya]]
[[zea:Australië]]
[[bat-smg:Australėjė]]
[[zh:澳大利亚]]