Australia

Abstract

Australia is an island continent in the southern hemisphere of 7.7 million square kilometers and a population of 20 million (2004) clustered in coastal centers with high urban concentration. It has a stable polity and developed economy, producing 1.4% of the world’s GDP (2003). Australia originated in six separate British colonies established after 1788 on the basis of the dispossession, cultural destruction and partial genocide of the indigenous inhabitants. The federated colonies were granted “dominion” status by Great Britain in 1901. Though the British monarch is still head of state and Australia inherited British common law, most constitutional ties with the U.K. have been abolished. In..