Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Quentin Bryce Prime minister: Julia Gillard
President: Donald Ramotar
Population
22,015,576
741,908
Life Expectancy
81.900 years
67.390 years
Capital City
Canberra
Georgetown
Largest city
Sydney (population: 4,394,580)
Georgetown (population: 235,017)
Human Development Index
0.965
0.725
GDP per capita
$40,800 US
$7,600 US
Literacy Rate
99%
98.8%
Corruption Perception Index
8.7
2.6
Percentage of Women in Parliament
29.6%
29%
Wealthiest Citizens
Frank Lowy & family ($2.7bn US)
NA
Unemployment Rate
5.100%
11.000%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Legal
Political System
federal parliamentary democracy
republic
Independence date
1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
26 May 1966 (from UK)
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)
Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census)
Languages
English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)
English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu
Exports
coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
