Читать книгу The 2010 CIA World Factbook - United States. Central Intelligence Agency - Страница 148

consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Flag description:

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 known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

National anthem:

name: "Advance Australia Fair"

lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK

note: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem did not become official until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::Australia

Economy - overview:

Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron ore, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas project, will significantly expand the resources sector. Australia also has a large services sector and is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Key tenets of Australia's trade policy include support for open trade and the successful culmination of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, particularly for agriculture and services. The Australian economy grew for 17 consecutive years before the global financial crisis. Subsequently, the Rudd government introduced a fiscal stimulus package worth over US$50 billion to offset the effect of the slowing world economy, while the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates to historic lows. These policies - and continued demand for commodities, especially from China - helped the Australian economy rebound after just one quarter of negative growth. The economy grew by 1.2% during 2009 - the best performance in the OECD. Unemployment, originally expected to reach 8–10%, peaked at 5.7% in late 2009 and fell to 5.1% in 2010. As a result of an improved economy, the budget deficit is expected to peak below 4.2% of GDP and the government could return to budget surpluses as early as 2015. Australia was one of the first advanced economies to raise interest rates, with seven rate hikes between October 2009 and November 2010. The GILLARD government is focused on raising Australia's economic productivity to ensure the sustainability of growth, and continues to manage the symbiotic, but sometimes tense, economic relationship with China. Australia is engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks and ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with China, Japan, and Korea.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$889.6 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $861.1 billion (2009 est.)

$850.9 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.22 trillion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 1.2% (2009 est.)

2.2% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$41,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $40,500 (2009 est.)

$40,500 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 4%

industry: 24.8%

services: 71.2% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

11.62 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 3.6%

industry: 21.1%

services: 75% (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate:

5.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 5.6% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line: