Australia

Officially the Commonwealth of Australia, Australia is a nation that enthralls with its rich history, dynamic culture, and large landscapes. It includes the mainland of Australia, the island state of Tasmania, and many smaller islands. Australia is a land of contrasts and diversity being the sixth-largest country in the world and the biggest nation by area in Oceania. Characterised by infertile soils, its geographical extent comprises some of the oldest, flattest, driest inhabited areas on Earth. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Australia is known as a megadiverse nation with a varied range of environments and temperatures from lush tropical rainforests to arid deserts.

When Aboriginal Australians started to migrate from Southeast Asia 50,000 to 65,000 years ago, human habitation in Australia started. These first people developed rich cultural traditions and adapted to the varied conditions of the continent. Aboriginal Australians had developed about 250 separate language groups by the time European adventurers arrived. Reflecting a close relationship to the land and its stories, their artistic and religious traditions are among the longest continuing in the world.

Dutch explorers mapping most of Australia’s coastline started the recorded history of this country in the 17th century. But British colonization started with the founding of a prison colony in New South Wales only in 1788. As European immigrants explored the continent and founded other colonies, this signalled the start of notable change. Five more self-governing British colonies were under development by the middle of the 19th century; each acquired responsible government by 1890. A major first step toward autonomy from the United Kingdom, the federation of these colonies in 1901 produced the Commonwealth of Australia. The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act of 1942 and the Australia Acts of 1986 confirmed this path towards freedom even more.

Comprising six states and ten territories, Australia today is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy run under federalism. With a concentration in metropolitan areas along the eastern coast, its population is more than 27 million and The capital of Australia is Canberra; Sydney and Melbourne, each with more than 5 million people, are its most populated cities. With one of the highest foreign-born populations worldwide, the nation’s ethnic variety is noteworthy and helps to create a dynamic and cosmopolitan society.

Australia boasts a very advanced market economy marked by among the highest per capita incomes in the world. Strong international trade ties and plenty of natural resources help to support its economic might. Both immigrants and businesses find the nation appealing since it ranks highly in quality of living, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.

Australia, a middle power, is quite important on the world scene having the thirteenth-highest military expenditure among all countries. Among many international organizations, including the United Nations, G20, OECD, World Trade Organization, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, this active member participates in Australia also belongs to regional forums including the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum. Its strategic relevance is shown by its defense and security alliances including ANZUS, Aukus, and the Five Eyes coalition. Notably reflecting strong bilateral ties, Australia is a major non-NATO ally of the United States.