note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)
Economy ::Aruba
Economy - overview:
Tourism is the mainstay of the small open Aruban economy, together with offshore banking. Oil refining and storage ended in 2009. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. Tourist arrivals rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.258 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2.205 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.258 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 33.3%
services: 66.3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:
41,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Unemployment rate:
6.9% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Public debt:
46.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 57
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 100
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 85 5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.77% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 11.23% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$865 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 140 $781 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$1.771 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.671 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.333 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.321 billion (31 December 2008)
Agriculture - products:
aloes; livestock; fish
Industries:
tourism, transshipment facilities
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
850 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - consumption:
790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2,235 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Oil - consumption:
8,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Oil - exports:
231,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - imports:
236,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Exports:
$124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports country comparison to the world: 188
Exports - commodities:
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners:
Panama 23.84%, Netherlands Antilles 20.49%, Colombia 17.48%,Venezuela 12.61%, US 9.12%, Netherlands 7.5% (2009)
Imports:
$1.054 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 169
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
US 49.51%, Netherlands 16.15%, UK 4.94% (2009)
Debt - external:
$478.6 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Exchange rates:
Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003)
Communications ::Aruba
Telephones - main lines in use:
38,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 169
Telephones - mobile cellular:
128,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system
domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed
international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007)
Broadcast media:
2 commercial television stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 20 commercial radio stations broadcast (2007)
Internet country code:
.aw
Internet hosts:
25,080 (2010) country comparison to the world: 101
Internet users:
24,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 187
Transportation ::Aruba
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 210
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Military ::Aruba
Military branches:
no regular military forces (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 24,779
females age 16-49: 26,090 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 20,398
females age 16-49: 21,371 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 738
female: 715 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Transnational Issues ::Aruba
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine
page last updated on January 11, 2011
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@Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Background:
These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000.
Geography ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 5 sq km country comparison to the world: 246 land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Area - comparative:
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
74.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geography - note:
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983;Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
People ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only
Government ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status:
territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia where applicable apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Economy - overview:
no economic activity
Transportation ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Transnational Issues ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Disputes - international:
as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia
page last updated on November 17, 2010
======================================================================
@Atlantic Ocean (Oceans)
Introduction ::Atlantic Ocean
Background:
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude.
Geography ::Atlantic Ocean
Location:
body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 76.762 million sq km
note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, LabradorSea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of theScotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Coastline:
111,866 km
Climate:
tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December but are most frequent from August to November
Terrain:
surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones
Natural hazards:
icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December)
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
Geography - note:
major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Economy ::Atlantic Ocean
Economy - overview:
The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).
Transportation ::Atlantic Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona(Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon(Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland),Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands,Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille(France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy),New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway),Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam(Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)
Transportation - note:
Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa, the east coast of Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Transnational Issues ::Atlantic Ocean
Disputes - international:
some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
page last updated on November 17, 2010
======================================================================
@Australia (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Australia
Background:
Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.
Geography ::Australia
Location:
Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South PacificOcean
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 7,741,220 sq km country comparison to the world: 6 land: 7,682,300 sq km
water: 58,920 sq km
note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
25,760 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Terrain:
mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m
highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Natural resources:
bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum
note: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports
Land use:
arable land: 6.15% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland)
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 93.81% (2005)
Irrigated land:
25,450 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
398 cu km (1995)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 24.06 cu km/yr (15%/10%/75%)
per capita: 1,193 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
volcanism: volcanic activity occurs on the Heard and McDonald Islands
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine LivingResources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world
People ::Australia
Population:
21,515,754 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.6% (male 2,026,975/female 1,923,828)
15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,318,743/female 7,121,613)
65 years and over: 13.5% (male 1,306,329/female 1,565,153) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.5 years
male: 36.8 years
female: 38.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.171% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Birth rate:
12.39 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Death rate:
6.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Net migration rate:
6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.055 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 192 male: 5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.72 years country comparison to the world: 9 male: 79.33 years
female: 84.25 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.78 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
18,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Nationality:
noun: Australian(s)
adjective: Australian
Ethnic groups:
white 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%
Religions:
Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7% (2006 Census)
Languages:
English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%,Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2006 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 21 years
male: 20 years
female: 21 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 83
Government ::Australia
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form: Australia
Government type:
federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Canberra
geographic coordinates: 35 17 S, 149 13 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April
note: Australia is divided into three time zones
Administrative divisions:
6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Dependent areas:
Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands,Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island
Independence:
1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies)
National holiday:
Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as theanniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and NewZealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25April (1915)
Constitution:
9 July 1900; effective on 1 January 1901
Legal system:
based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts International Criminal Court jurisdiction with conditions
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Quentin BRYCE (since 5 September 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Julia Eileen GILLARD (since 24 June 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Maxwell SWAN (since 24 June 2010)
cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch:
bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives)
elections: half-Senate - last held on 21 August 2010; House of Representatives - last held on 21 August 2010 (the latest a simultaneous half-Senate and House of Representative elections can be held is 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberal/National Party 34, Australian Labor Party 31, Greens 9, others 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Australian Labor Party 38.1%, Liberal Party 30.4%, Greens 11.5%, Liberal National Party of Queensland 9.3%, independents 6.6%, The Nationals 3.7%, Country Liberals 0.3%; seats by party - Australian Labor Party 72, Liberal Party 44, Liberal National Party of Queensland 21, The Nationals 7, Country Liberals 1, Greens 1, independents 4
Judicial branch:
High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general acting on the advice of the government)
Political parties and leaders:
Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [JuliaGILLARD]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [TonyABBOTT]; The Nationals [Warren TRUSS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: business groups; environmental groups; social groups; trade unions
International organization participation:
ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group,BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE(partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), Sparteca, SPC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kim Christian BEAZLEY
chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey L. BLEICH
embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600
mailing address: APO AP 96549
telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600
consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
National anthem:
name: "Advance Australia Fair"
lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK
note: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem did not become official until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Australia
Economy - overview:
Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron ore, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. Australia also has a large services sector and is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Key tenets of Australia's trade policy include support for open trade and the successful culmination of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, particularly for agriculture and services. The Australian economy grew for 17 consecutive years before the global financial crisis. Subsequently, the Rudd government introduced a fiscal stimulus package worth over US$50 billion to offset the effect of the slowing world economy, while the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to historic lows. These policies - and continued demand for commodities, especially from China - helped the Australian economy rebound after just one quarter of negative growth. The economy grew by 1.2% during 2009 - the best performance in the OECD. Unemployment, originally expected to reach 8-10%, peaked at 5.7% in late 2009 and fell to 5.1% in 2010. As a result of an improved economy, the budget deficit is expected to peak below 4.2% of GDP and the government could return to budget surpluses as early as 2015. Australia was one of the first advanced economies to raise interest rates, with seven rate hikes between October 2009 and November 2010. The GILLARD government is focused on raising Australia's economic productivity to ensure the sustainability of growth, and continues to manage the symbiotic, but sometimes tense, economic relationship with China. Australia is engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks and ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with China, Japan, and Korea.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$889.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $861.1 billion (2009 est.)
$850.9 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.22 trillion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 1.2% (2009 est.)
2.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$41,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $40,500 (2009 est.)
$40,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4%
industry: 24.8%
services: 71.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
11.62 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 21.1%
services: 75% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 5.6% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.5 (2006) country comparison to the world: 110 35.2 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
27.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Public debt:
22.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 22.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 1.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 March 2010) country comparison to the world: 106 4.25% (3 December 2008)
note: this is the Reserve Bank of Australia's "cash rate target," or policy rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.02% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 8.91% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$347.1 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 13 $290.8 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.134 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $976.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.731 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.407 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.258 trillion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 13 $675.6 billion (31 December 2008)
$1.298 trillion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Industries:
mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Electricity - production:
239.9 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Electricity - consumption:
222 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
589,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Oil - consumption:
946,300 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Oil - exports:
311,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Oil - imports:
716,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Oil - proved reserves:
3.318 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - production:
42.33 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - consumption:
26.59 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - exports:
22.3 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - imports:
6.56 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.115 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Current account balance:
-$35.23 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 -$41.33 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$210.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $154.8 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
Exports - partners:
China 21.81%, Japan 19.19%, South Korea 7.88%, India 7.51%, US 4.95%, UK 4.37%, NZ 4.1% (2009)
Imports:
$200.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $160.4 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products
Imports - partners:
China 17.94%, US 11.26%, Japan 8.36%, Thailand 5.81%, Singapore 5.54%, Germany 5.3% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$38.62 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $41.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.169 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.094 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$329.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $295.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$245.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $221.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.1151 (2010), 1.2822 (2009), 1.2059 (2008), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006)
Communications ::Australia
Telephones - main lines in use:
9.02 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 24
Telephones - mobile cellular:
24.22 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 37
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: domestic satellite system; significant use of radiotelephone in areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile telephones
international: country code - 61; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Southern Cross fiber optic submarine cable provides links to New Zealand and the United States; satellite earth stations - 19 (10 Intelsat - 4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean, 2 Inmarsat - Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, 2 Globalstar, 5 other) (2007)
Broadcast media:
the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as Australia Network, a TV service that broadcasts throughout the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages; several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible; cable and satellite systems are available (2008)
Internet country code:
.au
Internet hosts:
13.361 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 8
Internet users:
15.81 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 25
Transportation ::Australia
Airports:
465 (2010) country comparison to the world: 17