- Population
- 21 million
- Religion
- Catholic : 25.8%
- Anglican : 18.7%
- Uniting Church : 5.7%
- Presbyterian and Reformed : 3%
- Eastern Orthodox : 2.7%
- Other Christian : 7.9%
- Buddhist : 2.1%
- Muslim : 1.7%
- Other/Unspecified/None : 32.4%
- Age Structure
- 0 – 14 years : 19%
- 15 – 64 years : 68%
- Above 65 years : 13%
- Ethnic Groups
- White : 92%
- Asian : 7%
- Aboriginal and Other : 1%
- Government
- Type : Federal Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth Realm
- Head of government : Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard
- Chief of State : Queen of Australia Elizabeth II (represented by Governor General Quentin Bryce)
- Labor Force
- Services : 75%
- Industry : 21%
- Agriculture : 4%
Australia is the world’s smallest continent but the sixth-largest country, with population concentrated mainly along the eastern and southeastern coasts. In this urbanized nation of just over 20 million, 70% of the population lives in the 10 largest cities. Australia can be described as a multicultural society, with as many as 6 million settlers from over 200 nations. 40% of Australians are migrants or the first-generation children of migrants. A peek at the beginning of the history of settlements in this country reveals Aborigines as the native people, before Captain James Cook claimed the territories for the British Empire. Six colonies that were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries later became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. It was the abundance of natural resources that helped this then newly formed nation to make rapid strides in agriculture and manufacturing and thus go on to become a developed and industrialized economic power.
The southeastern region is a fertile plain but the rest of the terrain is mostly low plateau with deserts. The climate is generally arid or semiarid with temperate conditions in the southern and eastern regions and tropical characteristics in the northern region. The country is rich in natural resources such as, bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, and uranium, to name a few. Australia boasts of being the world’s largest exporter of coal – nearly one third of global coal exports come from this country. Though greatly blessed by natural resources we see nature causing hazards such as, cyclones along the coast, severe droughts, and forest fires.
The isolated location of this continental mass created the perfect environment for the flora and fauna that Australia is famous for – animals such as, the kangaroo, koala, platypus and spiny anteater; birds such as the flightless emu. There are over 700 bird species listed in Australia, out of which 400 are found nowhere else in the world. About 20,000 plant species thrive in this beautiful continent; not to mention the coral reefs and other attractions found along the coastline. No wonder tourism is one of Australia’s largest and ever growing industries.
Australia has been enviably blessed with a strong economy, with per capita GDP numbers matching those of the strongest West European economies. Over the past 17 years, Australia saw an expansionary cycle in its economy with reasons for this success attributed to emphasis on reforms, low inflation, a housing market boom, and growth in ties with China. Also, relatively speaking, Australia was one of the few developed countries to have ducked the 2008 global meltdown.
Let’s pray that the people of Australia, including settlers from other nations of the world, find true prosperity and eternal blessings in the One who uniquely designed this country. Let’s pray that they all find Jesus as their Lord and Savior, as waves of revival sweep over this land mass, even as ocean waves that are bridled all over the unbroken coastline speak of a Mighty Creator!
If you have any comments or suggestions please contact us at prayerofficer@imrah.org
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