Location: Continent between Indian and Pacific Ocean (27 00 S, 133 00 E)
Land Area: 7,617,930 square kilometers
Coastline: 25,760 kilometers
Highest Point: 2,229 meters (Mount Kosciuszko)
Lowest Point: -15 meters (Lake Eyre)
Notable Landmarks: Take a peek...

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $642.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP Per Capita: purchasing power parity $32,000 (2005 est.)
Number of Workers: 10.42 million (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.2% (2005 est.)
Industries: mining, tourism, chemicals, industrial equipment
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) What does it look like?

Type of Government: Democratic Federal State (recognizes British monarchy)
Chief of State: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael JEFFERY (since 11 August 2003)
Head of Government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11 March 1996)
Capital City: Canberra
Legal Age to Vote: 18
Flag Design: blue with the flag of the United Kingdom on upper hoist-side, Southern Cross constellation in white on the rest of the flag
Official Language: : English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)
Religions: Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census)

Australia was originally set up by the British as a place to send its unwanted criminals. Since that time, the country has developed into something truly admirable, making a name for itself as a popular vacation destination. Its biggest city, Sydney, was host to the 2000 Olympic Summer Games.