Blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars.
6 states and 5 territories*: Ashmore and Cartier Islands*, Australian Capital Territory*, Coral Sea Islands Territory*, Jervis Bay Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Population:
20,434,176 (July 2007 est.)
Languages:
English, native languages
Geographic coordinates:
27° 00' S, 133° 00' E
Area total:
7,686,850 sq. km includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island
Land area:
7,617,930 sq. km
Water area:
68,920 sq. km
Total land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
25,760 km
Elevation extremes:
Lake Eyre -15 m - Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m
Internet country code:
.au
Currency:
Australian dollar (AUD)
Name - conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Australia
Name - conventional short form:
Australia
Independence:
1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
Constitution:
9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901
Government type:
democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign
Dependent areas:
Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island