Commonwealth of Australia

Location:

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Area:

7,686,850 sq km

Climate:

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Terrain:

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Population:

18,783,551 (July 1999 est.)

Religions:

Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%

Languages:

English, native languages

Capital:

Canberra