Australia : Presentation

General informations

Austrlia is the smallest continent, but the 6th country relative to the superficy ; Population is - 20 millions inhabitants- essentialy concentrated along the east and south east coast.

The official language is english, but don't forget that languages such as Mandarin, Chinese or either Greek or italian are very actives due to the large number of immigrants living in Australia. And you have to count with the many dialects (more than a hundreds).

The climate is usually semi-aride, tempered in the south and east, and north.

The capital is Camberra (and not Sydney or Melbourne !).

The country is divided in 6 states and 2 territories : New South Wales (capital : Sydney), Queensland (Brisbane), South Australia (Adelaide), Victoria (Melbourne), Western Australia (Perth), Tasmania (Hobart), Northern Territory (Darwin), Australian Capital Territory (Camberra).

To this, adds up the dependancies: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Coral Sea Island, Heard Island and Mc Donald Island, Norfolk Island.

The national holiday is the "Australia Day", on the 26th of January.

Economy

Natural resources are bauxite, fer, uranium, nickel, tungstene, zinc, diamands, natural gaz and oil.

Agriculture is composed of 6% of cultured grounds, 58% of fields and prairies, 14% of woods and forests, and 22% of other things ;-).

The economy is going well, with a Income per Person of more than $20,000, and a PIB $380 milliards.

The mains industries are mining, industrial equipements, the food industry, tourism and transport...

The french consulate in Sydney.
Level 26, St Martins Tower
31, Market Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel : +61 2 9261 5779
Fax : +61 2 9283 1210
Opening hours : 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.