Australia Missions

Missionaries Serving: David and Susan Cunningham

Capital:

Canberra (328,000, 1993 est.)

System of Government:

Federal Multiparty Parliamentary State with Sovereign Monarchy

Area:

7,686,850 Sq Km (2,967,710 Sq Mi) (slightly smaller than the U.S.)

Estimated 2000 Population:

18,594,000

Geography:

Australia is the smallest continent in the world. Lying southeast of Asia, it is bound by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Coral Sea to the northeast, the Timor Sea to the northwest, the Indian Ocean to the west, and the Tasman Sea to the southeast. The continent consists largely of plains and plateau, and can be divided into three principal topographical regions. The Western Plateau is a vast desert and semi. desert region that covers almost 66% of the land area. The Central Eastern Lowlands include the largest artesian basin in the world, which accounts for approximately 20% of the continent. The Eastern Highlands consist of a complex belt of tablelands, ridges and coastal ranges. Most of the population lives in the well watered coastal region, while the dry interior, or “Outback”, is sparsely populated.

Climate:

Australia’s climatic conditions are characterized by warmth, little rain, clear skies and sunshine while temperature ranges are moderate with the absence of an intense cold winter. Average temperature ranges in Sydney are from 46 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit in July to 64 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in January.

People:

The principal ethnic majority are the Whites who account for 95% of the population and are principally of British descent. However, around 22% of the population were born abroad with principal ethnic groups including Italians, Croats, Serbs, Greeks, Maltese, Germans, Dutch, Asians, New Zealanders, North Americans and South Africans. Native Aboriginal people account for around 1.5% of the population and Asians account for 1.3%.

Vital Statistics:

Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.4 years male, 80.3 years female (1991). Infant Mortality Rate: 7.0 per 1,000 live births (1992). HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate: 0.15% (1999 est.).

Religions:

The people of Australia are mostly Christians, of which 52% of the population are Protestant or Anglican, 25% are Roman Catholic and 3% are Greek Orthodox. Other minorities include Muslims as well as Buddhists and both account for less than 1% each. Australia has a long tradition of religious freedom, but that status has been threatened by restrictive legislation. In recent years Christianity has been in serious decline as secularization has advanced.

Languages:

The official language is English, although Aboriginal and numerous other ethnic immigrant languages are also spoken.

History:

Australia was established as a British colony for convicts in 1788, but eventually non-convicts began to emigrate to Australia. In 1901 the colonies were granted independence as one nation and became a commonwealth of the British Empire. In World War I, Australian troops fought with the Allies, and many were lost during the battles of Gallipoli. In September 1939 Australia followed Britain in declaring war on Germany, and it became the base for the Allied Pacific campaign. Australian troops fought in Greece, Syria and North Africa. The postwar years saw rapid growth, rising wages and full employment. The government encouraged immigration from Europe to meet the growing labor demand. In 1986 Australia gained full independence from Britain while remaining a Commonwealth member with the Queen as its sovereign head of state.