Description: Perfect as the basis for reports, this on-going series describes major world nations and their unique positions in the world community. Each book covers the title nation's geography, climate, terrain, natural resources, urban environments, history, governmental structure, economy (including agriculture and industry), transportation systems, arts, life styles, and leisure activities. Each book ends with a chapter on the nation's potential and future.

The largest island in the world, Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere between the Pacific and Indian oceans. It is a flat and dry region with a population largely made up of immigrants that is concentrated on its coasts. Although inhabitated for 50,000 years, the original peoples, known as aborigines, have been overwhelmed by the influx of immigrants largely from Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, but more recently from Asia. Explored by the British in the 18th century, Australia quickly became a dumping ground for convicts, who eventually established a vibrant nation that was proclaimed a commonwealth on the first day of the 20th century, January 1, 1901. While much of the land is too dry, Australia is the world's largest sheep-raising country, and there are also large cattle ranches in the interior. The leading cities of Sydney, Adelaide, and Canberra, are lively cultural centers, and the nation is the proud sponsor of the 2000 Olympic Games.

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