Australia is formally known as the common wealth of Australia. The country is situated, in the southern Hemisphere encompassing the main Australian continent, the adjacent Tasmania Island, and the number of surrounding tiny island scattered in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Its other adjoining countries comprise East Timor, Indonesia, and to its north is the Papua Guinea, to the north east are the Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. To the south east is the country of Newzealand.

Prior to the Australian settlement, the country was inhabited by the aboriginal Australians. The native groups comprise of 250 language groups. Subsequent to the Dutch invention of Australian in the year 1606, the Britishers claimed its eastern half in 1770. Primarily they settled, by perpetual penetration to the New South Wales colony. On 26 January 1788, they took the official possession of the land. In the ensuing decades, the continent was discovered and five self governing crown colonies were recognized additionally.

Six colonies joined to form a federation and the commonwealth of Australia was created on January 1, 1901. Australia after becoming a federation, has been maintaining a steady moderate democratic political system, and it is a commonwealth dominion. The country has a population of nearly 22.6 million roughly. A major portion, nearly 60% percent of the population are concentrated in the stet capital and its vicinity. Cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are thickly populated. Victoria and New South Wales have roughly 57% of the total country’s population. The eastern state of Australia has nearly 79 percent of Australia’s population.

As a developed country, Australia is the third biggest economy in the world. It occupied the 16th slot in the Global Competitiveness Index in for 2010-2011 ranking created by the World Economic Forum. In many international comparison for national performance, with other countries, Australia ranks the top, such as human development, health care, quality of life, economic freedom, civil liberties and political rights protection. In the quality of life index Australia is the only non European country to occupy the top 10 slot.

Capital: Canberra

Largest City: Sydney

National Language: English

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)

Reglion: 64% Christian (including 26% Roman Catholic and 19% Anglican), 19% belongs to no religion (including atheism, agnosticism, rationalism and humanism), 2.1% of Buddhism, 1.7% of Islam, 0.8% of Hinduism, 0.5% of Judaism. Totally some 6% of the Australians recognize with the non- Christian religions.
Time: GMT+10 hours.

History

The human habitation seem to have begun between 42,000 to 48,000 years ago, probably by means of the people migration through land bridges and short see crossing from the countries in south east Asia. It seems, the primary inhabitants might be the ancestors of the present day indigenous Australians. During the late 18th century English settlement, a majority of the indigenous Australian seems to be hunters, and gatherers. The original Horticulturists and hunter-gatherers seem to be the ethnic Melanesian, the Torres Strait Islanders.
Australia was sporadically visited by the Malayan Archipelago fisherman. The first European, to come to the Australian mainland was a Dutch by name, William Janszoon. He was navigator, and he sighted Cape York Peninsula coast in the year 1606. Later a British explorer and navigator, James Cooks sailed along Australia’s east coast. He gave the name as New South Wales and claimed it for Britain. Cook’s invention of Australia paved the way, for formation of the penal colonies. In 26 January, 1788, the first British fleet was led by Captain Arthur to Port Jackson, and the British crown colony of New South Wales was formed. The day became the National day of Australia, called as the, “Australia day “

In 1803, the Van Diemen’s Land known as Tasmania, was formed as a seperate colony. In 1828, the United Kingdom officially claimed Australia’s western part. Subsequent to world war II, Europeans immigration was encouraged by Australia. From the 1970s, the abolition of White Australia policy facilitate in the immigrations of Asians.

Politics

Australia is a constitutional monarchy and has federal division of powers. The country adopts a parliamentary system of Government with Queen Elizabeth being, the apex queen of Australia. Her role is distinct from the position she hold for other commonwealth realms. The Queen stays in the United Kingdom. Her Viceroy represents her in Australia. At the federal level, she is represented by the Governor Generals, and at the state level, the Governor represents her.

The federal government of Australia is divided into three branches

The legislature: the bicameral parliament consists of the Queen (the Governor General represents on her behalf), the senate, and the House of Representatives.

The executive: the Federal executive council. In practice, the prime minister and his council of ministers advise the Governor General.

The Judiciary: The High court of Australia and other Federal courts. The Judges are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the council. .