About Australia
Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from
endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern
beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for
art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors.
Fast Facts
Full Name
Commonwealth of Australia
Capital City
Canberra
Area
7,682,300 sq km
2,966,136 sq miles
Population
19,500,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +10 (Eastern Standard Time)
GMT/UTC +9.5 (Central Time)
GMT/UTC +8 (Western Time)
Languages
English (official)
Australia is a multi-cultural country, so it's not unusual to walk down a
city street and hear people speaking Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Vietnamese or
Arabic as their first language. Aboriginal languages are also spoken.
English-speaking Australians have a passion for abbreviations and are liable
to use a hotchpotch of local slang that can take the first-time visitor a
while to untangle.
Religion
75% Christian, 1% Muslim, 1% Buddhist, 0.5% Jewish
Currency
Australian Dollar (A$)
Electricity
220-240V 50Hz
Electric Plug Details
Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding
blade
Country Dialling Code
61
