AUSTRALIA

The Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere and is the world's smallest continent. The mainland has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and by European explorers plus merchants starting in the 17th century, the eastern half of Australia was claimed by the British in 1770. The name "Australia" is derived from the Latin Australis, meaning "of the South".

Capital – Canberra

Area – 7,741,220 km2
2,988,888 sq mi

Population 2007 estimate – 21,025,000

Largest City – Sydney

Official Language – English

Prime Minister – John Howard