Queensland is an eastern Australian State, having an area of approximately 1,727,200 square kilometres, covering almost one-quarter of the continent, it is bounded on the north by the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the east by the Coral Sea, on the south by New South Wales, on the west by the Northern Territory. The Tropic of Capricorn bisects the state horizontally. The eastern part of Queensland is dominated by the Great Dividing Range, a series of mountains and plateau's that runs the entire length of the state. To the east of the range are several isolated highland areas, including the Atherton Plateau, site of Queensland's highest point, Mount Bartle Frere (1611 metres). To the west of the range is a region of rolling grassland and, in the western half of the state, lies a vast semiarid plain. Much of the eastern coastline of Queensland is sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, a chain of coral reefs stretching for about 2000 km ).

Climate

Queensland's year-round warm and sunny climate has earnt it the title "The Sunshine State." For our visitors, this means "holiday country" and evokes images of long sunny days, tropical islands set in deep blue seas and the chance to relax outdoors. This pleasant climate attracts thousands of visitors annually. Our coastal climate rarely exceeds 38 degrees C, and for seven months of the year is very pleasant with temperatures averaging 25 degrees. For visitors not used to humidity, the period from December to February can be hot, damp and humid in northern Queensland.

Great Barrier Reef

Queensland's Great Barrier Reef extends in a north-westerly direction 2010 kilometres along the East coast from Cape York in the north to Bundaberg in the south. It follows the coast between 15 and 160km from the east Coast. It is the largest known coral formation/deposits in the world and is one of the seven wonders of the world. The coral formations are based on the outer, eastern edge of the Continental Shelf, which was once part of the Queensland coast. The reef represents the calcified remains of coral polyp built up in strange and beautiful formations over millions of years, containing more than 350 species of coral. The chain of coral reefs in the Coral Sea form a natural breakwater for the passage of ships along the coast, but has claimed many ships in the 19th Century. The passage of water between the Main Reef and the mainland is dotted with hundreds of islands, some of them coral cays, others summits of a drowned coastal mountain range. Vividly coloured fish, shells, and giant clams, all clearly visible in the crystalline waters, are a great tourist attraction. The reef was discovered by the British explorer, Capt. James COOK on June 11, 1770, when his ship, the Endeavour, ran aground on the reef that now bears the ship's name.

History and Discovery

Queensland was known to Dutch navigators by the early 1600s. In 1821 John Oxley was commissioned to establish a northern settlement for a convict colony. The Colony was initially established at Redcliffe near Brisbane in 1824. Free settlers began arriving at Brisbane in the early 1840s. Originally part of New South Wales, Queensland became a separate British colony in 1859, and it became a state of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, with a population of just 23,000.

Population

Since 1970, Queensland's population has grown faster than any other Australian state. The state grew by 29.700 between March 31, 1996 and 1997 - easily the fastest growing state, by number, however,. growth has slowed a little in recent years. In 1996 Queensland's population stood at 3,368,850, the third most populous state, with about 18% of Australia's total population.. Queensland 's growth rate was more than twice the national average between 1991 and 1996. This growth has concentrated in the cities and coastal regions. The largest cities in Queensland are Brisbane (population, 1991, greater city, 1,334,017), the capital and chief port; Gold Coast (225,773); Townsville (101,398); Toowoomba (75,958); Rockhampton (55,792), Bundaberg (42,842) and Hervey Bay (42,391). Queensland's population is largely of British ancestry. Queensland has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia, with most living in rural areas of the state.

Industry

We are blessed with fertile farming lands which produces beef and dairy cattle, sheep (largely for wool), sugarcane, wheat, groundnuts, tobacco, and fruits and vegetables. The economy of Queensland was once dominated by agriculture, but the manufacturing, mining, and tourism industries are growing rapidly. Principal manufacturing activities include processed agricultural goods and minerals, machinery, ships, cement, and basic consumer goods. The leading minerals extracted include bauxite, coal, copper, silver, lead, and zinc. These products form a large part of our exports. Natural gas and petroleum are also produced. Among Queensland's chief attractions are the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast. Brisbane and Cairns both have international airports.

Statistical information courtesy of the Australian Bureau of Statistics