Indian/Pacific Oceans.

Australia spans three time zones:

GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from October to March, except Queensland; starts a month earlier in Tasmania).
GMT + 9.5 (GMT + 10.5 from October to March, except Northern Territory).
GMT + 8 (GMT + 9 from October to March, three-year trial in Western Australia until 2009 followed by referendum).

Some states operate daylight saving time during the Australian summer.

7,686,850 sq km (2,967,909 sq miles).

21.2 million (official estimate 2007).

2.8 per sq km.

Canberra. Population: 323,700 (2007).

Australia is bounded by the Arafura and Timor Seas to the north, the Coral and Tasman Seas of the South Pacific to the east, the Southern Ocean to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the west. Its coastline, including islands, covers 59,736km (37,119 miles).

Most of the population has settled along the eastern and southeastern coastal strip. Australia is the smallest continent (and the largest island) in the world. About 40% of the continent is within the tropics and Australia is almost the same size as the mainland of the United States of America. The terrain is extremely varied, ranging from baking red desert to lush green rainforest. Australia's beaches and surfing are world-renowned, while the country is also rich in reminders of its long history: these range from prehistoric Aboriginal art to Victorian colonial architecture.

The landscape consists mainly of a low plateau mottled with lakes and rivers and skirted with coastal mountain ranges, highest in the east with the Great Dividing Range. There are rainforests in the far northeast (mainly in Queensland). The southeast is a huge fertile plain. Further to the north lies the enormous Great Barrier Reef, a 2,000km (1,200-mile) strip of coral that covers a total area of 345,000 sq km (133,000 sq miles).

Although Australia is among the driest lands on Earth, it nevertheless has enormous snowfields, the size of Switzerland. There are vast mineral deposits. More detailed geographical descriptions of each state can be found in the individual state entries.

Constitutional Monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1901.

HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Michael Jeffery since 2003.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd since 2007. All individual states and territories have their own autonomous legislative, executive and judicial systems (though certain powers remain under the jurisdiction of the federal government).

In November 2007 elections, after almost 12 years of conservative rule, the public voted out the Liberal Party coalition and gave the Australian Labor Party (ALP) a decisive win. The mandate taken to the electorate by the ALP will mean some significant changes in the direction of the country. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd swiftly set about signing the Kyoto Protocol, investing more in alternate energy sources, issuing an official parliamentary apology to Australia's indigenous population and overturning hardline industrial relation laws introduced by the previous government.

The country's foreign policy is set to continue to be geared to the strengthening of economic and political links with the countries of the Asian Pacific Rim and the affirmation of existing links with the USA. Although Australia was a willing participant in the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, the new government is expected to withdraw its troops in mid 2008.

The official language is English. Many other languages are retained by minorities, including Italian, German, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese dialects and Aboriginal languages.

27% Roman Catholic, 21% Protestant and smaller minorities of all other major religions.

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adaptor socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.

A largely informal atmosphere prevails; shaking hands is the customary greeting. Casual wear is worn everywhere except in the most exclusive restaurants, social gatherings and important business meetings. Most restaurants forbid smoking.