Full name:     Commonwealth of Australia

Population:    21 million (official estimate, 2007)

Capital:    Canberra

Largest city:    Sydney

Area:    7.7 million sq km (2.9 million sq miles)

Major language:    English

Major religion:    Christianity

LIfe expectancy:    78 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit:    1 Australian dollar = 100 cents

Main exports:    Ores and metals; wool, food and live animals

GNI per capita:    US $32,220 (World Bank, 2006)

Internet domain:    .au

International dialling code:    +61