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Australia
Australia comprises of mainland Australia, the major island of Tasmania, and a number of other islands in the Indian and South Pacific Oceans. While the mainland has been inhabited by indigenous Australians for more than 42 000 years, the Commonwealth of Australia as it exists today was only formed on 1 January 1901. Australia possesses rich natural resources which include diamonds, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten and petroleum.
Key facts about Australia
- Full name:
- Commonwealth of Australia
- Capital:
- Canberra
- Population:
- 20 600 856 (July 2008 est.)
- Area:
- 7 617 930 sq km
- Monetary unit:
- Australian dollar (AUD)
- Main exports:
- Coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
- Government:
- Federal parliamentary democracy
Mineral regime
Australia is one of the top three diamond producing countries in the world. Diamonds were first discovered during the mid-nineteenth century in eastern Australia. It was not until the late 1970s, however, that Australia’s potential as a diamond producer was validated with the discovery of the Argyle kimberlite pipe. The country currently hosts two diamond mines – Ellendale and Argyle. The Ellendale mine is located 2 000km north east of Perth in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.