Capital:Canberra Language: English (de facto)Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) Area:77,41,220 sq. km. Population: 18,972,350 (2001 census) Time Zone: Various
Calling Code: +61 Major Cities:Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Darwin, Hobart, Adelaide
SIXTH largest nation in the world but has lowest population. Australia is the most culturally diverse country in the world with nearly one quarter of its population born overseas. People from around 200 countries have migrated to Australia. The diverse composition of our population contributes greatly to the dynamic, innovative and inclusive nature of Australian society.
Australia’s annual real GDP has been growing by an average of 3-4 per cent since 1998. Australia has had one of the strongest economies in the world in recent years, growing at an average annual rate of 4 per cent since 1990.
Australia has strong educational infrastructure and quality
life, both of which are relatively affordable. Earn while you learn : Australia is one of
the few countries where overseas students are permitted to work up
to 20 hours each week during the academic year and full time during
vacations. Australia has the bluest
skies, the freshest air, the cleanest water and a wide range of
exotic fruits and vegetables such as kiwis, mangoes, avocados and so
on, available throughout the year. People in Australia are extremely friendly and largely
outdoor oriented, involving themselves in a variety of sports. Of the 39 Universities in Australia, 37 are government
funded. The educational system is essentially non-elitist, with the
quality of infrastructure, teaching faculty, course curriculum, and
extra curricular facilities at a uniformly high standard across all
educational bodies. Australia is
a truly multi-cultural nation, with people from all over the world
including India, China, the UK, the USA and so on, collectively
forming a part of the Australian community.
Melbourne (pronounced as /ˈmel.bən/) is the second most
populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3.7 million (2006 estimate). Located in the
country's south-east, Melbourne is the state
capital of Victoria and is
home to over 70% of all Victorians.
Founded by free-settlers in 1835, 47 years after the first European
settlement of Australia, Melbourne was transformed from a small pastoral settlement situated around the Yarra River into a growing metropolis by the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s.
By 1865, "Marvelous Melbourne" was Australia's most populous and
important city. It served as the temporary national capital for the Federation of
Australia in 1901 until the construction of Canberra in 1927.
Melbourne is acknowledged as a leading centre for tertiary education with 9 world class universities. Melbourne is extremely safe with a low crime rate. Melbourne has a very reliable electricity supply with a consistent non-interrupted service.
The Melbourne weather isn't as humid as many other cities in Australia.
Melbourne now boasts the countries largest container port and is considered Australia's business and commercial capital. Australia's major banks have their head offices based in Melbourne, these are situated close to the Australian Stock Exchange in the CBD.
