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Australia has 65% of the population in Oceania and 80% of this population live in the south-eastern corner of the continent, particularly the capital cities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
In fact, it is estimated that 87% of Australia’s population is based in these urban areas and rural regional cities. This is largely because most of Australia is desert and nearly totally uninhabitable.
Australia has always had high levels of immigration and it is estimated that about 20% of the self-claimed ‘multi-cultural’ population is immigrants. Despite strict immigration policies, Australia still continues to attract immigrants.
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Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to an independent republic, was defeated in 1999.
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Country
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Surface Area: 7,686,850 square km
Population: 19,546,792 (July 2002 est.)
Located in: Oceania
Capital City: Canberra
Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (represented by Governor-General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jeffrey, Michael)
Prime Minister: John Winston HOWARD
Independent since: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Flag (image): 
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