Facts of Australia

Land & people

Area: 7,686,850 sq km
Population (July 2007 est.): 20.43 million
Capital: Canberra
Official language: English
Per capita GDP (2006 est.): $33,300 (about Dh122,211)

Australia in the southern hemisphere comprises the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania and a number of other islands in the Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast.

From the east coast, a narrow fertile strip extends west towards the Great Dividing Range or Eastern Highlands. This range runs nearly the length of the continent and has a great influence on coastal weather conditions. West of this range the land becomes flat and forms desert. The 'centre' is harsh and often inhospitable but full of amazing beauty... from Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the MacDonnell Ranges.

Westwards the country is mostly made up of broad plateau. Like the east coast, the west has a fertile strip to the east of Perth. The northwest, or Kimberley region, is spectacular and mostly uninhabited. Darwin, situated in the tropics, lies to the northeast.

Between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau lie the Central Lowlands, which are made up of the Great Artesian Basin and Australia's largest river systems, Murray-Darling Basin and Lake Eyre Basin.

Cape York at the top of the east coast is the most northerly point of Australia. Like much of the interior and the northwest, it is sparsely inhabited and ruggedly beautiful.

Heading down the east coast of Queensland and stretching for 2,300 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest and most complex living coral system. The large and mountainous island of Tasmania lies off the southeastern coast of Australia.

Administratively Australia is divided into six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia; and two territories: Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.

Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island are dependant areas.

Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory. The country's population is concentrated in the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Useful addresses

- Embassy of Australia
P.O. Box 32711, Abu Dhabi.
Tel: +971 2 6346100
Fax: +971 2 6393525
Website:www.uae.embassy.gov.au

- Consulate General of Australia
P.O. Box 124400, Dubai.
Tel: +971 4 5087100
Fax: +971 4 3551547

- Victorian Government Business
Office, P.O. Box 58004, Dubai.
Tel: +971 4 3212600
Fax: +971 4 3212700
E-mail: dubai@iird.vic.gov.au

- Commercial Representative
Office, Government of South
Australia, P.O. Box 58048, Dubai.
Tel: +971 4 3432884
Fax: +971 4 3432885
E-mail:sagovtme@emirates.net.ae

Passport/visa

Visitors to the country require a valid passport as well as an entry permit such as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or a Valid Short Travel Visa. Contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate for more information on entry requirements.

CLIMATE CHECK
When to go
Summer (December to February) can be really hot just about anywhere in the country, even in Tasmania. During these months it's great beach weather in the southern states, and up north this is the wet season. From June until August the north cools down a little and dries up a lot and the time is good to visit Queensland or the outback. Skiing enthusiasts can head for the snowfields of NSW and Victoria. Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) are comparatively the best seasons when the weather is reasonably mild wherever you are.