It is Interesting to Know

Country

Commonwealth of Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania and a number of other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans

Capital

Canberra

Largest city

Sydney

Total Area

2,967,909.38 sq mi 7,686,850.00 sq km (slightly smaller than the US)

Population

19,357,594

Languages

English, native languages

Government Type

Democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign. The Queen is represented by the Governor-Generalat Federal level and by the Governors at State level.

Executive branch

The executive power is exercised by the Federal Executive Council(the Governor-General as advised by the Executive Councillors); in practice, the councillors are the Prime Minister and Ministers of State.

Legislative branch

The legislative power is exercised by the Commonwealth Parliamentthat consists of the Queen, theSenate(the upper house) of 76 senators, and aHouse of Representatives(the lower house) of 150 members. Elections for both chambers are held every three years; Senators have overlapping six-year terms, and only half of the seats are put to each election. The party with majority support in the House of Representatives forms government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister.

Judicial branch

The judicial power is exercised by the High Court of Australiaand otherfederal courts.

Political parties

There are two major political groups that form government: the Australian Labor Party, and theCoalitionwhich is a grouping of two parties, theLiberal Partyand minor partner, theNational Party. Among minor parties are theGreensand theAustralian Democrats

Administrative division

Australia consists of six states, two major mainland territories, and other minor territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The two major mainland territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory

Currency

1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

Industry

mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Agriculture

wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

Natural Resources

bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum

Geography

By far the largest part of Australia is desert or semi-arid. Australia is the flattest continent, has the oldest and least fertile soils, and is the driest inhabited continent. Only the south-east and south-west corners of the continent have a temperate climate. Most of the population lives along the temperate south-eastern coastline. The landscapes of the northern part of the country, with a tropical climate, consist of rainforest, woodland, grassland, mangrove swamps and desert. The climate is significantly influenced by ocean currents. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies a short distance off the north-east coast and extends for over 2,000 kilometres. Mount Augustus claimed to be the world's largest monolith, is located in Western Australia. Mawson Peak on the remote Australian territory of Heard Island is the highest point at 2,745 metres

Flora and fauna

Most Australian woody plant species are evergreen and many are adapted to fire and drought, including many eucalyptus and acacias. Australia has a rich variety of endemic legume species. Well-known Australian fauna include monotremes (the platypus and echidna); a host of marsupials, including the kangaroo, koala, wombat; and birds such as the emu and kookaburra. The dingo was introduced by Austronesian people who traded with Indigenous Australians around 3000 BC. Many plant and animal species became extinct soon after first human settlement; others have become extinct since European settlement.

Country

New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands

Capital

Wellington

Largest city

Auckland

Total Area

268,680.00 sq km

(about the size of Colorado)

Population

3,864,129

Languages

English (official), Maori

Government Type

parliamentary democracy

New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. Under the Royal Titles Act (1953), Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of New Zealand and is represented as head of state by the Governor-General, currently Anand Satyanand.

Legislative branch

The New Zealand Parliament has only one chamber, the House of Representatives, which usually seats 120 Members of Parliament. Parliamentary general elections are held every three years.

Executive branch

Cabinet is the most senior policy-making body and is led by the Prime Minister, who is also the Parliamentary leader of the governing party or coalition.The current Prime Minister is Helen Clark, the leader of the Labour Party.

Judicial branch

The highest court in New Zealand is the Supreme Court of New Zealand. New Zealand's judiciary also includes the High Court, which deals with serious criminal offences and civil matters; the Court of Appeal; and subordinate courts.

Political parties

The Labour Party, the Progressive Party, New Zealand First, United Future, the Greens, The ATC-party, National Party, the Maori Party

Administrative division

The early European settlers divided New Zealand into provinces. These were abolished in 1876 so that government could be centralised for financial reasons. As a result, New Zealand has no separately represented subnational entities such as provinces, states or territories, apart from its local government. Today, New Zealand has twelve regional councils for the administration of environmental and transport matters and seventy-three territorial authorities that administer roading, sewerage, building consents, and other local matters.

Currency

1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Industry

food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining

Agriculture

wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish

Natural Resources

natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone

Geography

The South Island is the largest land mass of New Zealand, and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps, the highest peak of which is Aoraki/Mount Cook at 3754 metres (12,320 ft). There are eighteen peaks over 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) in the South Island. The North Island is less mountainous than the South, but is marked by volcanism. The highest North Island mountain, Mount Ruapehu (2,797 m / 9,177 ft), is an active cone volcano. The dramatic and varied landscape of New Zealand has made it a popular location for the production of television programmes and films, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the The Last Samurai.

Climate

The climate throughout the country is mild and temperate, mainly maritime, with temperatures rarely falling below 0 °C (32 °F) or rising above 30 °C (86 °F)

Country

Canada

Capital

Ottawa

Largest city

Toronto

Total area

9,976,140.00 sq km

(slightly larger than the US)

Population

31,592,804 (July 2001 est.)

Languages

English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%

Government Type

Parliamentary democracy. The head of state is HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Executive branch

Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are formally appointed by the Governor General (who is the Monarch's representative in Canada). The position of Prime Minister, Canada's head of government, belongs to the current leader of the political party that can obtain the confidence of a plurality in the House of Commons. Michaëlle Jean has served as Governor General since September 27, 2005, and Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party, has been Prime Minister since February 6, 2006.

Legislative branch

The federal parliament is made up of the Queen and two houses: an elected House of Commons and an appointed Senate. Each member in the House of Commons is elected by general elections that are called by the Governor General when the Prime Minister so advises. While there is no minimum term for a Parliament, a new election must be called within five years of the last general election. Members of the Senate, whose seats are apportioned on a regional basis, are chosen by the Prime Minister and formally appointed by the Governor General, and serve until age 75.

Judicial branch

The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court and final arbiter. Its nine members are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. All judges at the superior and appellate levels are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and minister of justice, after consultation with non-governmental legal bodies. The federal cabinet appoints justices to superior courts at the provincial and territorial levels. Judicial posts at the lower provincial and territorial levels are filled by their respective governments.

Political parties

Canada's four major political parties are the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party (NDP), and the Bloc Québécois. The current government is formed by the Conservative Party of Canada. While the Green Party of Canada and other smaller parties do not have current representation in Parliament.

Administrative division

Canada is a federation composed of ten provinces and three territories; in turn, these may be grouped into numerous regions. Western Canada consists of British Columbia and three Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba). Eastern Canada consists of Central Canada (Quebec and Ontario) and Atlantic Canada (comprised of the three Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia; and Newfoundland and Labrador). Three territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) comprise Northern Canada. Provinces have a large degree of autonomy from the federal government, territories somewhat less. Each has its own provincial or territorial symbols.

Currency

1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents

Industry

processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Agriculture

wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish

Natural Resources

iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Climate

Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces which experience a continental climate. In non-coastal regions, snow can cover the ground almost six months of the year, (more in the north). Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and rainy winter.