Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, in the northeast of the country. The capital city is Brisbane. It is the only Australian state with a unicameral legislature.
Geography
- Famous for the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, Great Dividing Range.
- The northernmost part of the state is the triangular Cape York Peninsula which points toward New Guinea. The western side of the peninsula is washed by the Gulf of Carpentaria, while its eastern side, along with the whole of Queensland's eastern shore, borders the Coral Sea which is an arm of the Pacific Ocean. To the west, Queensland is bordered by the Northern Territory, to its south by New South Wales, and to its south west by the north eastern corner of South Australia.
- oceans, lakes
- The State capital Brisbane, is located on the coast 100km by road north of the New South Wales border.
- The largest city by area in the world, Mount Isa, is located in Queensland. The city area is in excess of 40 000 km².
Demographics
- Population 3 729 000 (2002 census)
- racial/ethnic makeup of state
- Religion Christian: 77% (Anglican: 24.6%, Catholic: 26.2%, Lutheran: 2.2%, Uniting Church: 10.8%, Other: 13.4%), Non-Christian: 0.9% (Buddhism: 0.2%, Hinduism: 0.1%, Other: 0.6%), No Religion: 14.9%, Not Stated: 6.9%
(2002 census)
Economy
In 2001, Queensland has a Gross Domestic Product of A$115.53 billion, which per capita, equals A$31,000. Based on exchange rates (2003) this equals US$20,400, making Queensland the third-poorest state in Australia after Tasmania and South Australia.
Primary Industries:
- Cattle raising
- Sugar Cane
- Cotton
- Mining - Coal
- Mining - Copper
Secondary Industries
- Mostly further processing of primary produce
Tertiary Industries
Law/Government of state
Queen Elizabeth II is represented as head of state by the locally appointed Governor, Ms Quentin Bryce, AC. The elected head of government is the Labor Premier, the Hon Peter Beattie who appoints an Executive Council from the members of the Legislative Assembly of 89 members (MLAs). The Queensland's State Parliament has been unicameral since 1922, when the Legislative Council was abolished.
In 2001 the state adopted a new codified constitution, repealing most of the assorted acts that had previously made up the constitution. The new constitution took effect on 6 June 2002, the anniversary of the formation of the independent colony of Queensland by the signing of Letters Patent by Queen Victoria in 1859.
- structure of state judiciary
- does it have referenda?
History
Colleges/Universities
See also
Towns and settlements
