Area: 7,741,220 sq km
Population: 21,370,000 (Estimated for 2008)

Capital city: Canberra (pop: 332,798)

Largest city: Sydney (pop: 4,297,100)
GDP per head: US$37,184 (Purchasing Power Parity)
Annual growth: 4%
Inflation: 2.7%
Major products/industries: Minerals, oil, coal, gold, wool, cereals, meat, tourism.
Electricity: 220-240V
Weights & measures: metric

National Language: English
Australian States and Territories:  Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.
Business Hours: 9am - 5pm
Currency: Australian Dollars and cents
TimeZone: Australia has 3 time zones;
Eastern (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns) +10 hours GMT
Western (Perth) +8 hours GMT
Central (Northern Territory, South Australia) +9.5 hours GMT

For the history and geography of Australia click here