Northeast Australia.

GMT + 10.

1,730,650 sq km (668,207 sq miles).

4.2 million (official estimate 2007).

2.4 per sq km.

Brisbane. Population: 1.8 million (2006).

Two-and-a-half times the size of Texas or seven times the size of the UK, Queensland, more than half of which lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, is known as the ‘Sunshine State'. Within its borders are the Great Barrier Reef, numerous resort islands, miles of golden sandy beaches, national park forests, vast plains, lush rainforests, forested mountains and extensive wilderness areas.