Political and economic-geographical location.

Australia is the only state in the world that occupies the territory of an entire continent, so Australia has only maritime borders. Australia's neighboring countries are New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and other island states of Oceania. Australia is remote from the developed countries of America and Europe, large markets for raw materials and sales of products, but many sea routes connect Australia with them, and Australia also plays an important role in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia has a federal structure and includes 6 states:

New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia - and 2 territories: Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory. The country's territory is 7,682 thousand sq. km, located on the Australian mainland, Tasmania and other islands.

The capital of Australia is Canberra. Australia is a federal state within a commonwealth led by Great Britain. The head of state is the Queen of England, represented by the Governor-General, who is appointed on the recommendation of the Australian government. The highest legislative body is the Federal Parliament, consisting of the Senate, elected for 6 years (76 members, half renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives (148 members), elected for 3 years.

Population of Australia.

In 1996 Australia's population was 18,284,373 people, so Australia's place in the world in terms of population is in the forties.

77% of the Australian population are descendants of immigrants from the British Isles - the English, Irish, Scots, who formed the Anglo-Australian nation, the rest are mainly immigrants from other European countries, aborigines and mestizos - 250 thousand people. (1991). The majority of the country's population are immigrants. One in four Australians was born overseas. After World War II, an immigration program began, during which the country's population was increased from 7.6 million people in 1947. up to 15.5 million people in 1984 About 60% of this growth came from immigrants and their Australian-born children.

Natural resources and conditions.

Australia is rich in a variety of mineral resources. New discoveries of mineral ores made on the continent over the past 10-15 years have propelled the country to one of the first places in the world in reserves and production of minerals such as iron ore, bauxite, and lead-zinc ores.

The largest deposits of iron ore in Australia, which began to be developed in the 60s of our century, are located in the Hamersley Range in the north-west of the country (the Mount Newman, Mount Goldsworth, etc. deposits). Iron ore is also found on the islands of Kulan and Kokatu in King's Bay (in the north-west), in the state of South Australia in the Middleback Range (Iron Knob, etc.) and in Tasmania - the Savage River deposit (in the valley of the Savage River).

Large deposits of polymetals (lead, zinc with an admixture of silver and copper) are located in the western desert part of the state of New South Wales - the Broken Hill deposit. An important center for the extraction of non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, zinc) developed near the Mount Isa deposit (in Queensland). Deposits of base metals and copper are also found in Tasmania (Reed Rosebery and Mount Lyell), copper in Tennant Creek (Northern Territory) and in other places.

The main gold reserves are concentrated in the ledges of the Precambrian basement and in the southwest of the mainland (Western Australia), in the area of ​​​​the cities of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, Northman and Wiluna, as well as in Queensland. Smaller deposits are found in almost all states.

Bauxite occurs on the Cape York Peninsula (Waipa deposit) and Arnhem Land (Gove deposit), as well as in the southwest, in the Darling Range (Jarrahdale deposit).

Uranium deposits have been discovered in various parts of the mainland: in the north (Arnhem Land Peninsula) - near the South and East Alligator rivers, in the state of South Australia - near Lake. Frome, in Queensland - the Mary Catlin field and in the western part of the country - the Yillirri field.

The main deposits of hard coal are located in the eastern part of the mainland. The largest deposits of both coking and non-coking coal are developed near the cities of Newcastle and Lithgow (New South Wales) and the cities of Collinsville, Blair Athol, Bluff, Baralaba and Moura Keanga in Queensland.

Geological surveys have established that in the bowels of the Australian continent and on the shelf off its coast there are large deposits of oil and natural gas. Oil has been found and produced in Queensland (Mooney, Alton and Bennett fields), on Barrow Island off the northwest coast of the mainland, and on the continental shelf off the southern coast of Victoria (Kingfish field). Gas deposits (the largest Ranken field) and oil were also discovered on the shelf off the northwestern coast of the continent.

Australia has large deposits of chromium (Queensland), Gingin, Dongara, Mandarra (Western Australia), and Marlin (Victoria).

Non-metallic minerals include clays, sands, limestones, asbestos, and mica, which vary in quality and industrial use.

Population. Demographic situation

In 1996 Australia's population was 18,322,231 people, so Australia's place in the world in terms of population is in the forties. In 2000, the population was 19.2 million people.

The country is mainly populated by Europeans, 77% of Australia's population are descendants of settlers from the British Isles - the English, Irish, Scots, who formed the Anglo-Australian nation, the rest are mainly immigrants from other European countries, Aborigines and Mestizos - 250 thousand. people (1991). The majority of the country's population are immigrants. One in four Australians was born overseas. After. The Second World War began an immigration program, during which the country's population was increased from 7.6 million. people in 1947 up to 15.5 million people in 1984 About 60% of this growth came from immigrants and their Australian-born children. The main core of the population of Australia are Anglo-Australians.

Farm:

Australia, in a relatively short period of time - only about 80 years - has gone through a difficult path of economic development as an agrarian and raw material appendage of the metropolis, which the country was at the beginning of the 20th century; it has turned into an economically highly developed state. This was facilitated by a number of historical and economic conditions. After this, Australia's economic development immediately followed the capitalist path.

Of great importance for the development of the economy was also the fact that in the entire history of its existence, Australia did not experience military destruction and did not pay war debts or reparations. The military situation not only did not weaken the country's economy, but, on the contrary, contributed to general economic, and mainly industrial, development, since it was necessary to produce with our own means what had previously been brought from the mother country.

Satisfying this demand and thereby increasing agricultural productivity and productivity was especially important for the country.

Industry of Australia.

One of the oldest industries in Australia is the mining industry. The Australian mainland is rich in a wide variety of mineral resources. From 50% to 90 and even 99% of mining industry products are exported to other countries.

Australia's mining industry plays an important role in the country's economy because... Mining raw materials were, and still are, one of the main items of Australian export.

According to scientific research, an average of 50 tons of iron ore, 55 tons of limestone, 4 tons of zinc, 200 tons of coal, 175 cubic meters are mined per year per Australian resident. crude oil. Australia is one of the world's main exporters of minerals, although it only develops 0.02% of Australia's entire territory, because... in some regions there are difficulties of access or remoteness of deposits, or unprofitability of development.

During the 1980s a large influx of investment in the mining and manufacturing industries led to an increase in production rates. Australian workers are the most skilled. Working conditions today are dramatically different from working conditions 10 or more years ago. The need to use new technologies is constantly increasing, and therefore industry today includes new branches of science and technology, business administration and marketing, environmental control, etc.

The development of the mining industry from its very inception was determined by the widespread investment of English capital.

Iron and steel industry of Australia.

In 1994, iron ore production amounted to 123.9 million tons (by weight). The smelting of some metals increased and amounted to 7.2 million tons (cast iron), and steel - 7.6 million tons.

In Australia, all stages of ferrous metal production are developed - blast furnace, steel foundry, rolling, as well as the production of special steels and alloys and various types of metalworking. The smelting of non-ferrous metals: copper, tin, zinc, etc. has received great development. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy meets the increased needs of mechanical engineering and other industries.

Main iron ore deposits: Pilbara (Western Australia), Mount Newman, Mount Goldsworth deposits, on the islands of Kulan and Cockatoo in King's Bay (in the north-west), in the state of South Australia in the Middleback Range (Iron Knob, etc.) and in Tasmania - the Savage River field (in the Savage River valley).

Crude metals are also smelted in the area of ​​the Mount Isa copper deposit and some others.

The main centers of iron and steel industry in Australia are located on the east coast (the cities of Port Kembla, Newcastle, Melbourne).

Non-ferrous metallurgy of Australia.

For 1994 Copper production, thousand. tone 381. Production of refined copper from ores and secondary raw materials, thousand tons 331. Zinc production, thousand tons 985.1. Production of pig zinc, thousand tons 315. Extraction of lead, thousand tons 519. Production of refined lead from primary and secondary raw materials, thousand tons 211. Mining of tin, thousand tons8. Production of primary tin, thousand tons 0.2. Aluminum mining, thousand tons 1382. Primary aluminum production, thousand tons 1382. Bauxite, thousand tons 41733.

The main centers of the non-ferrous metallurgy are Sydney, Bell Bay, Risdon, Port Kembla, Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Australian fuel and energy industry.

For 1992 Oil, million tons 26.9. Gas, billion cubic meters m 23.2. Hard coal, million tons 175.1. Brown coal, million tons 50.7. Electricity production, billion kW/h 162.

The main fuel and energy base of Australia is hard and brown coal, large deposits of which are directly located in the south-eastern parts of the country. Coal-fired thermal power plants provide a significant portion of all electricity supplied to consumers. These thermal power plants are located where there are coal deposits. In the early 70s, several thermal power plants running on natural gas were built. Australia is not rich in hydroelectric resources; the bulk of hydra energy resources are concentrated in the southern highlands of the East Australian Mountains and on the island of Tasmania. The rivers of the coastal parts of New South Wales and Queensland have insignificant energy reserves.

The Snowy Mountains hydroelectric system, completed in 1975, is the largest (3740 MW).

Chemical and petroleum industry in Australia.

The chemical industry began to develop especially quickly in the post-war years. In many large port cities, powerful oil refineries were built, operating on domestically produced and imported oil. Refining crude oil contributed to the development of petrochemicals.

Since agriculture, one of the most important sectors of the economy, has a great need for mineral fertilizers, superphosphate is produced in large quantities in Australia using imported raw materials. Fertilizer production plants are located in areas where there are coal deposits, coke is produced, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, etc. are smelted. The sulfuric acid obtained by processing these types of raw materials and semi-finished products is 90% used in superphosphate plants. Since phosphorites are brought by sea, an important factor in the location of enterprises for the production of phosphate fertilizers is their proximity to port cities.

The main centers of the chemical and oil refining industry are Sydney, Clyde, Melbourne, Gladstone, Perth.

Forestry, timber and building materials industries in Australia.

The forestry industry is one of the most interesting to study due to its complexity, versatility, prevalence throughout the world and the need for its products for the economy of any country.

Mining of construction materials and minerals that do not contain metals is carried out in small-scale mines. Concentrates and pellets are produced at special enterprises.

Wood export, million cubic meters m 21.3. Lumber production, million cubic meters m 3.3. Production of fibreboards, million sq.m. 31.6. Production of particle boards, thousand cubic meters. m 780. Paper production, thousand tons 1580. Cement production, million tons 5.9

The main centers of light and food industry are Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart.

Light industry in Australia.

Australian light industry is mainly provided with locally produced raw materials and its own goods (shoes, knitwear, fabrics, etc.), largely satisfying the needs of the population, but high-quality products and some semi-finished products and raw materials are imported. Light industry enterprises are concentrated mainly in large industrial cities in the southeast of the country. Small factories are found in many medium and small towns.

The bulk of enterprises in all sectors of the manufacturing industry are located in the south-eastern, most economically developed part of Australia - in the states of New South Wales, Victoria and partly South Australia. After the end of the Second World War, new industrial enterprises began to be created in cities or even small towns in the inland, remote areas of the states. Many immigrants arriving in Australia are sent here in an organized manner. Most new enterprises are built, as a rule, in already developed and populated areas, mainly in areas with sufficient rainfall. Creating industrial enterprises in desert or semi-desert zones is expensive. It is carried out only in certain cases: during the construction of military facilities or enterprises, which, even at high costs, guarantee quick profit and products that are in demand in the domestic or foreign markets.

Australian food industry.

The food industry, one of the oldest industries, has gained great importance. It is represented by butter production, cheese making, milk canning industry, brewing, meat canning, meat and cold storage, flour milling, bacon production, tobacco leaf processing, etc. Numerous enterprises for canning vegetables and fruits.

The food industry, both in the past and today, is characterized by an export orientation. A significant part of fully or partially processed agricultural products is sent to other countries. For example, the export of meat of all types accounts for up to 45% of its production, butter - up to 50, cheese - 45, wheat and flour - up to 80, sugar - 60-65%.

Since a significant part of food products is exported, the largest and most well-equipped food plants and factories are located in the country's port cities. Some small and medium-sized enterprises are located in areas producing one or another agricultural product. Butter factories and cheese factories are located where dairy cattle are raised and there are railway stations, which makes it possible to quickly ship butter and cheese to consumption centers or ports. Bakeries, confectioneries, breweries and some other enterprises are found wherever the population is concentrated.

Most of the meat industry enterprises are large plants that slaughter livestock and cut up carcasses, and produce canned meat, sausages and frankfurters. Many of them also have special workshops where they process bones, bristles, horns, hooves, produce food for poultry, glue, various fats and other products.

Since beef cattle farming is developed mainly in the northern, northeastern and eastern parts of the mainland, the largest meat processing plants are located mainly in the port cities of the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. A number of factories are also concentrated in the interior regions, where livestock raising is combined with grain farming.

Enterprises for canning vegetables and fruits are located where vegetable growing and horticulture are developed. Many of them, even very large ones, are located in rural areas where the necessary raw materials are produced, some in large cities on the coast. Vegetables and fruits are delivered chilled by rail or in special vans.

Mechanical Engineering Australia.

Since the development of industry since 1967. In Australia, 25 cities with a population of over 40 thousand were built. people , 12 ports and 1900 km laid. Railway tracks.

Nowadays, new branches of mechanical engineering such as the production of aircraft and automobile engines, locomotives, tractors, trucks and cars, electrical equipment, electronic equipment and various instruments are developing especially rapidly in Australia. Mechanical engineering products largely satisfy the country's needs.

Agriculture Australia.

Australian agriculture is highly marketable and has a pronounced capitalist character. It makes extensive use of machines and hired labor. Australia is a country with historically large landholdings.

In the 20s of the 19th century. Australian wool has gained a strong position in the textile industry of the metropolis. So Australian land-owning companies were given land in the river valley. Gloucester in the colony of New South Wales; Van Diemen's green company settled in the northern part of the island of Tasmania. Soon she annexed other most convenient lands to her possessions.

In the 70s of our century, the share of farms with plots larger than 4 thousand hectares and constituting only 3.6% of the total number of farms accounted for 82.3% of the land fund, including the largest ones, measuring 40 thousand hectares (0.6% of farms), - 62.7% of land. Farms with land plots ranging from 0.4% to 200 hectares own only 1.8% of all land used in agriculture.

Farms with large tracts of land are found mainly in the arid interior of the country and in the north, where extensive farming methods require the use of large areas.

Intensive farms are mainly concentrated in the south-eastern and south-western coastal areas, as well as in the Murray-Murrabidgee area, where there are tracts of irrigated land. Farms with a suburban type of economy are located near large industrial cities.

Australia, later than other developed capitalist countries, embarked on the path of a technical revolution in agriculture. This project was uneven. To a large extent, it covered such industries as dairy and fattening, growing vegetables, fruits, grapes, cotton, rice and other food and industrial crops. Grain farming and pastoralism remain largely extensive.

In conditions of an extremely arid climate and uneven precipitation, artificial irrigation is of great importance for agriculture, not only in the interior parts of the continent, but also in coastal already inhabited and developed areas, where it helps to increase productivity and intensify the economy. For example, the average wheat yield on non-irrigated lands ranges from 11 to 15 centners per hectare, but when irrigation is used, the yield increases by 5-6 times.

The leading place in agriculture belongs to the oldest industry - pasture animal husbandry. In the 1970s, it accounted for 68% of the total value of agricultural production, and farming accounted for just over 32%. In livestock farming, sheep breeding occupies the first place. The main group of the general sheep population consists of merino sheep, whose wool is of the highest quality and most expensive. The second group is sheep of semi-fine wool meat-wool breeds. They produce good wool and meat.

In addition to wool, Australian sheep farming also produces a significant amount of meat. Among capitalist countries, Australia ranks first in the production of mutton and lamb and second in their export. Beef and dairy cattle are also raised in Australia. Its population began to increase rapidly in the last quarter of the 19th century. The raising of cattle for meat is concentrated in the hands of individual cattle breeders or cattle breeding companies. They own herds and pastures, large slaughterhouses and meat-packing plants in port cities, and partly the transportation of meat products to the world market. Beef cattle breeding is developed mainly in the tropical and subtropical parts of the north of the country. Here livestock is grazed mainly on natural pastures (extensive farming method).

Dairy farming is particularly intensive. The country's warm climate allows dairy cattle to be kept on pastures throughout the year. In areas where there are strong winds, trees and dense shrubs are planted along the boundaries of the paddocks to protect animals from them. Many farms also use locally produced concentrated feed and imported feed with the addition of vitamins and growth simulators. The most common breeds of dairy cattle are Jersey, Guernsey, Holstein and the Australian-bred Illowar Shortgon. Dairy farms are located mainly in coastal areas where rainfall is relatively high. Pig farming is related to dairy farming.

Poultry farming is also developed in Australia. Poultry farms are small in size and highly specialized: some raise chickens, others fatten broiler chickens, others supply eggs and partly chicken carcasses. They export live chickens, chilled carcasses and eggs. Other types of livestock farming include the breeding of horses, mainly racing horses, and camels.

Wheat, like other grain crops (oats, barley, corn), except rice, is mainly grown on rainfed lands without the use of artificial irrigation, but phosphorus fertilizers are applied. Grain farming is mainly extensive. In addition to wheat, the cultivation of forage crops, such as clover, lupine and other legumes, ryegrass and other grasses, is of great importance in crop production. On the coastal plains in tropical Queensland, pineapples, bananas, mangoes, and papayas are grown. Cotton, tobacco and other industrial crops are grown in Australia.

In Australia, both crop farming (horticulture, grain farming) and livestock farming (cattle and sheep breeding) have developed.

The Australian agricultural map shows that the intensity of land use decreases with distance from the coast.

The east coast of Australia has a warm and mild climate, which is why sheep are raised on pasture for slaughter, dairy cows are raised, and horticulture and grain farming are practiced.

On the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, where sufficient rainfall occurs, there is a strip of forest red-brown soils, rich in humus, and when fertilized, suitable for growing wheat and other crops. This is where Australia's “wheat belt” stretches.

The southwestern part of Australia is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, conducive to the development of intensive agriculture.

The state of Victoria and the south-west foothills of New South Wales has a subtropical climate, conducive to the cultivation of fruit trees, a variety of vegetables and forage grasses.

Heavy rainfall and slight temperature fluctuations on the island. Tasmania allows the raising of cattle and sheep.

The steppe and semi-desert regions of Australia are the world's largest sheep breeding areas. Sheep, being on private farms, are kept on natural pasture all year round.

Wool is Australia's top export, generating billions of dollars annually for producers and creating jobs across the country. Therefore, the Australian Wool Corporation is supporting a broad-based research program into the application of robotics in the wool industry. This research has been ongoing since 1973. to this day.

Robotics is also used in gardening. The robotics system increases the productivity of the orchards several times, since the robot selects the fruit, each time “calibrated”, which avoids further sorting.

Productivity is key, and without further development of agricultural robotics, and if products are produced at uncompetitive prices, Australia could be forced out of global product markets.

Geography of transport.

For Australia, external and internal relations are of great importance. The government pays a lot of attention to the construction of internal communications, the reconstruction of ports and the creation of an extensive radio and telecommunications network. Rail transport is almost entirely the responsibility of the federal and state governments. The railway network is densest in coastal industrialized areas, especially in the southeastern, eastern and partly southwestern outskirts of the mainland; the north, north-west and inland areas are almost completely devoid of railways.

The seas and oceans that wash the shores of Australia are important for the economic life of the country. Australia's main trade links with other countries and continents are carried out by waterways. Huge ocean liners export Australian goods - wheat, meat, butter, cheese, valuable minerals (iron ore, non-ferrous metals and their alloys, coal, bauxite, etc.), as well as industrial products. Finished products, semi-finished products and raw materials needed by industry, agriculture, transport and other sectors of the Australian economy come to Australia from overseas.

Air transport is also important for Australia. A network of regular airlines exists in many major Australian cities, and small aviation has also become widespread. Australian airports handle millions of passengers every year.

The most developed highway and rail transport networks are located on the east coast of the mainland. Transport routes extend from the major ports of East and West Australia (Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne) into the interior of the mainland. Pipeline transport has also been used in Australia. From oil and gas production sites (Mumba, Jackson, Roma, Muni) pipelines go to ports in the East.

Length and density of transport

ways of Australia.

Length of transport routes, thousand km:

Railways 35.8

Highways 810.3

Density of the network of transport routes (km of transport routes per 1000 sq. km of territory)

Railways 4.7

Highways 105.4

Australia offers tourists everything that their restless soul craves: white sandy beaches, modern cities, quaint deserts, lush jungles and unique wildlife.

In Australia you can:

Try to mine gold. In places that experienced a gold rush in the last century, gold is still found today;

Learn to jump with a parachute. It is a popular sport here and Australia hosts many international skydiving competitions;

Go kayaking down mountain rivers. Also a popular pastime;

Fly in hot air balloons. They hang in the skies of Australia continuously.

Learn to scuba dive. They will help and even issue a certificate, however, without the right to be an instructor in this dangerous form of leisure;

Drive a rented car across the whole of Australia - ten days is enough, but memories!

Fish with all your heart, both in the sea and in rivers;

Go rock climbing. Fanatics of this cause flock here from all over the world;

Go sledding... from the sand dunes!

External economic relations.

The role of foreign trade in the Australian economy is very large. Export is one of the main sources of foreign exchange. Domestically, firms that can increase their exports enjoy a tax discount. The conditions for financial payments have been simplified for exporters, and a special export insurance corporation has been created. In the late 1970s, more than 47% of the total value of Australian exports came from various agricultural products, 27% from mining products and more than 23% from manufacturing. Of the exported mining raw materials, the first place is occupied by iron ore and concentrates, and the second place is by coal.

Imports are represented by various machines used in agriculture, construction and manufacturing (more than 40%), capital equipment (more than 22%), consumer and food products, lubricating oils and other goods. The import of mineral raw materials and semi-finished products is extremely small (from 6 to 7%). Oil and petroleum products, phosphorites, as well as chrome ores and small quantities of ores or concentrates of other metals are imported.

Australia imports goods mainly from the USA, Great Britain, Japan and Germany. Australia's trade with its neighbor New Zealand began to expand after August 1965. Australia exports food products, as well as coal, some types of machinery, textiles, shoes, etc. to the countries of East and Southeast Asia. Imports from these countries mainly consist of natural rubber, oil, tea, coffee, vegetable oils and fibers, packaging materials . Australia's trade with Oceania is small. However, Australia has gained a fairly strong position in trade with them, displacing the UK and other countries.

Australia is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ANZUS Pact, and is part of the commonwealth led by Great Britain.

Bibliography:

1. Lucian Volyanovsky “The continent that has ceased to be a legend”, 1991.

2. Encyclopedic reference book “Countries of the World” Smolensk “Rusich” 2000.

3. "Australia and Oceania. Antarctica" Countries and Peoples Moscow "thought" 1981

4. “Economic Geography” by I. A. Rodionov and T. M. Bunaskova Moscow “Lyceum” 1999

5. Countries and Peoples “Universal Encyclopedia for Youth” Moscow Publishing House Pedagogika-Press.

6. Textbook 10th grade “Economic and social geography of the world” Y.N.GLADKY S.B.LAVROV

Features of the EGP of Australia and Oceania

Features of population distribution

The role of the country in the MGRT

Opera building in Sydney, Australia.
Modern Australia is an economically developed industrial-agrarian country. Real income is $18,220 per year per person. (1998). After the Second World War, the manufacturing industry and electric power industry developed significantly (Australia ranks among the first in the world in terms of electricity production per capita). Metallurgy, oil refining, chemical, textile, and printing industries are also developed. Australian enterprises produce cars and electrodes, machine tools and industrial equipment, televisions and radios, refrigerators and washing machines.
The restructuring of the sectoral structure of the manufacturing industry is closely related to its territorial shifts. In the second half of the 20th century, on the one hand, there was a strengthening of the role of the largest cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) and adjacent areas, where the vast majority of the manufacturing industry is concentrated, on the other hand, the development of small towns in the inland mining areas. As a result, the territorial concentration of the manufacturing industry in individual states has decreased, and the balance of power between them has changed. The leading role in the Australian economy belongs to the states located in the southeastern part of the country - New South Wales and Victoria. The capital of the country is underdeveloped economically. It was specially built to perform administrative functions. The most developed and economically developed region of Australia is the South-East. It accounts for more than 70% of manufacturing products. To the north and south of Sydney, on the basis of significant coal reserves, a TPK was formed, consisting of coal mines, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, oil refining and chemical industries. All these enterprises are concentrated in cities located on the coast: New Castle, Port Kembla, etc.
In the north-east of Australia, on the basis of large mineral deposits, industrial complexes for the primary processing of raw materials, consisting of enterprises equipped with new technologies, have formed. The largest alumina refinery in the capitalist world in Gladstone and other large enterprises were built here.
The smelting of zinc and lead in Western Australia, aluminum in the north of the continent, and ferrous metallurgy enterprises in the main industrial centers of the country are of global importance.
The island of Tasmania, rich in mineral resources, also has a developed manufacturing industry focused on their processing. There are enterprises for processing non-ferrous metals, chemicals and pulp and paper. The largest of them are concentrated in the capital of the island.
Agriculture accounts for 67.2% of the land, of which 43.7% is occupied by arid pastures, 17.4% is pastures of non-arid territories. Intensively used agricultural lands occupy 0.3%, extensively used - 5.8%, unsuitable for use - 26%.
The area of ​​irrigated land is 1.8 million hectares. During rainfall, severe soil erosion occurs. Animals live mainly in a few places where water is retained during dry times; their accumulations lead to the fact that the plant cover there is completely destroyed, and soils not protected by vegetation are washed away by rains and blown away by the wind.
The leading branches of the country's agriculture are sheep breeding and grain farming. Already in the middle of the 19th century. Australia became the main supplier of wool to Great Britain, a light industry that increased the demand for wool. Australia ranks first in the world in the number of sheep (200 million), and meat and dairy farming is also developing. Wheat crops cover 3/4 of the sown areas, mainly in the southeast of the country. In the humid tropics, sugar cane, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, citrus fruits, and stone fruits are grown. Viticulture, cotton growing, tobacco and corn cultivation are developed on irrigated lands.
Transport plays a big role in a vast and sparsely populated country. The length of railways is 41 thousand km, and roads - about 900 thousand km. 75% of cargo and passenger transportation is carried out by road transport. The densest road network is in the southeast of the country.
Various types of transport have a single transport network, which is state-owned.
The country's maritime transport serves mainly foreign trade relations on ships of foreign companies. Air transport is of great importance in external and internal relations. The government company "Quontas" has its branches at the largest airports in the world. Pipeline transport is well developed in Australia; water pipelines over long distances are of particular importance.
Australia's role in MGRT is determined by the main export items: agricultural products 30% - grains, fruits, cheeses, meat and meat products, hides, wool; mineral raw materials, energy resources, aluminum ores, oil and petroleum products, iron ore, rare precious metals; manufacturing products.
To develop the manufacturing industry and agriculture, the country receives investments from Japan and the USA. The main import item is machinery and equipment, finished products.

Oceania Features of the EGP region

The video lesson is dedicated to the topic “General economic and geographical overview of Australia”. You will get acquainted with the features of the state of Australia, its administrative and territorial divisions, economic sectors and population. As additional material, the teacher discussed three topics in the lesson: “Terra Australis incognita”, “Administrative division” and “Sheep farming”.

Topic: Australia and Oceania

Lesson: General Economic and Geographical Overview of Australia

Australia is the smallest continent on the planet. The mainland and neighboring islands are occupied by the state of the same name. Australia (Union of Australia) is one of the highly developed and rapidly developing countries in the world. It holds a strong position in the world market and is characterized by rapid growth in the standard of living of the population. Australia is the only state in the world that occupies an entire continent. The capital is Canberra.

Rice. 1. Australia on the world map ()

Australia is one of the developed countries. With the second highest Human Development Index, Australia ranks highly in many areas of life, such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, protection of civil liberties and political rights. Australia is a member of the G20, OECD, WTO, APEC, UN, Commonwealth, ANZUS and Pacific Islands Forum.

Since Australia is formally a member of the Commonwealth, the head of state in the country remains the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General and six state governors. The Governor-General is subordinate to the Australian Armed Forces and has the authority to submit amendments to the Australian Constitution to a referendum. Australia has a federal structure and includes 6 states - New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia - and 2 territories - Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory.

Rice. 2. Map of administrative divisions of Australia ()

Population Australia has about 23 million people. Population density less than 3 people. per 1 sq. km. The majority of Australia's population are descendants of 19th and 20th century immigrants, with the majority of these immigrants coming from Great Britain and Ireland. The settlement of Australia by immigrants from the British Isles began in 1788, when the first batch of exiles landed on the eastern coast of Australia and the first English settlement of Port Jackson (future Sydney) was founded. Australia's largest city is Sydney, the capital of the most populous state of New South Wales; Melbourne is in second place in terms of population.

The indigenous people of Australia are the Aborigines.

The Australian Capital Territory is the most populous region within the Commonwealth of Australia. The main population lives on the southeastern coast of the country. Official language is English; religion - Protestantism.

Australia has a high standard of living; Migrants from other regions are actively coming to the country.

Australia has developed mining industry Due to the fact that the country is very rich in mineral resources, Australia is one of the Great Mining Countries of the World.

The minerals that Australia is richest in are:

1. Iron ore.

2. Coal.

3. Bauxite.

5. Gold.

6. Zirconium.

The largest deposits of iron ore in Australia, which began to be developed in the 60s of our century, are located in the Hamersley Range in the north-west of the country (the Mount Newman, Mount Goldsworth, etc. deposits). Iron ore is also found on the islands of Kulan and Kokatu in King's Bay (in the north-west), in the state of South Australia in the Middleback Range (Iron Knob, etc.) and in Tasmania.

Large deposits of polymetals (lead, zinc with an admixture of silver and copper) are located in the western desert part of the state of New South Wales - the Broken Hill deposit. An important center for the extraction of non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, zinc) developed near the Mount Isa deposit (in Queensland). Deposits of base metals and copper are also found in Tasmania (Reed Rosebery and Mount Lyell), copper in Tennant Creek (Northern Territory) and in other places.

The main gold reserves are concentrated in the ledges of the Precambrian basement and in the southwest of the mainland (Western Australia). Smaller deposits are found in almost all states.

Rice. 4. Gold mine in Australia ()

Bauxite occurs on the Cape York Peninsula (Waipa deposit) and Arnhem Land (Gove deposit), as well as in the southwest, in the Darling Range (Jarrahdale deposit).

Uranium deposits have been discovered in various parts of the mainland: in the north (Arnhem Land Peninsula) - near the South and East Alligator rivers, in the state of South Australia.

The main deposits of hard coal are located in the eastern part of the mainland. The largest deposits of both coking and non-coking coal are developed near the cities of Newcastle and Lithgow (New South Wales) and the cities of Collinsville, Blair Athol, Bluff, Baralaba and Moura Keanga in Queensland.

Geological surveys have established that in the bowels of the Australian continent and on the shelf off its coast there are large deposits of oil and natural gas. Oil has been found and produced in Queensland (Mooney, Alton and Bennett fields), on Barrow Island off the northwest coast of the mainland, and on the continental shelf off the southern coast of Victoria (Kingfish field). Gas deposits (the largest Ranken field) and oil were also discovered on the shelf off the northwestern coast of the continent.

Australia has large deposits of chromium.

Non-metallic minerals include clays, sands, limestones, asbestos, and mica, which vary in quality and industrial use.

Australia actively exports minerals to Japan, the USA and European countries.

The water resources of the continent itself are small (the deepest river is the Murray). The rivers flowing from the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range are short and flow in narrow gorges in the upper reaches. Here they may well be used, and in part they are already used for the construction of hydroelectric power stations. In the seas surrounding Australia, sea animals are hunted and fished. Edible oysters are bred in sea waters. In the warm coastal waters in the north and northeast, sea cucumbers, crocodiles and pearl mussels are fished for. Rain forests in the form of narrow galleries stretch for relatively short distances inland along river valleys. In Australia, biological resources are especially valuable.

Agriculture plays an important role in the Australian economy. Australia ranks 2nd in the world in sheep population (inland), 1st in wool production and exports. Australia plays a significant role in the production and export of wheat, sugar, meat, fruit, and wine.

The main region of Australia is the South-East, where the main industries and population are concentrated, and the largest cities in the country are located here. Mechanical engineering, food industry, etc. enterprises are concentrated in this area.

Rice. 7. Canberra is the capital of Australia ()

The unknown southern land was discovered by the Dutch in the 17th century and began to be developed by the British in the 18th century. The new colony was used mainly as a place of hard labor and exile. Later, many resources were found on Australian territory, including gold, and more active development of the territory began. Later, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed, which recognizes the English monarch as its head.

Australia consists of 6 states, 3 territories and other possessions, i.e. Australia has a federal administrative-territorial structure. In addition, Australia owns some overseas territories.

Australia ranks 2nd in sheep population, behind China. Sheep farming is one of the country's specializations.

There are three types of sheep breeding areas:

1. Intensive meat - wool direction

2. Grain - sheep specialization

3. Extensive pastoral sheep farming

Homework

Topic 7, P. 5

1. What administrative-territorial units are distinguished in Australia?

2. Tell us about the population of Australia.

Bibliography

Main

1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 grades: Textbook for educational institutions / A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.

2. Economic and social geography of the world: Textbook. for 10th grade educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovsky. - 13th ed. - M.: Education, JSC "Moscow Textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.

3. Atlas with a set of outline maps for grade 10. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: FSUE "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.

Additional

1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., map.: color. on

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections

1. Geography: a reference book for high school students and applicants to universities. - 2nd ed., rev. and revision - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.

2. Africa // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional ones). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907. (AUSTRALIA?)

Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam

1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 80 p.

2. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.

3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Textbook / Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2012. - 256 p.

4. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.

5. Geography. Diagnostic work in the format of the Unified State Exam 2011. - M.: MTsNMO, 2011. - 72 p.

6. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography. Collection of tasks / Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 272 p.

7. Geography tests: 10th grade: to the textbook by V.P. Maksakovsky “Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade” / E.V. Baranchikov. - 2nd ed., stereotype. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2009. - 94 p.

8. Unified State Exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for preparing students / FIPI - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.

9. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral examination, theory and practice / V.P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.

10. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography: thematic training tasks / O.V. Chicherina, Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 144 p.

11. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2011. - 288 p.

12. Unified State Exam 2011. Geography: Standard exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2010. - 280 p.

Materials on the Internet

1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ( ).

2. Federal portal Russian Education ().

1. Geography of Australia

Australia is a continent in the Southern Hemisphere with an area of ​​7,659,861 km². The length of the continent from north to south is about 3,700 km, the width from west to east is about 4,000 km, the length of the mainland coastline (without islands) is 35,877 km.

The northern and eastern coasts of Australia are washed by the Pacific Ocean: the Arafura, Coral, Tasman, Timor Seas; western and southern - Indian Ocean. Near Australia are the large islands of New Guinea and Tasmania. Along the northeastern coast of Australia, the world's largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, stretches for more than 2,000 km.

The extreme eastern point of Australia is Cape Byron (-28.6375, 153.63722228°38′15″ S 153°38′14″ E / 28.6375° S 153.637222° E (G)) , western - Cape Steep Point (-26.151389, 113.15526°09′05″ S 113°09′18″ E / 26.151389° S 113.155° E (G)) , northern - Cape York (-10.689167, 142.53055610°41′21″ S 142°31′50″ E / 10.689167° S 142.530556° E (G)), southern - Cape South Point (-39.138889, 146.37388939°08′20″S 146°22′26″E / 39.138889°S 146.373889°E (G)) (if consider the island of Tasmania as part of the continent, then South East Cape -43.644444, 146.82543°38′40″ S 146°49′30″ E / 43.644444° S 146.825° E d. (G)).

Australia is located on the Australian mainland, the island of Tasmania and a number of other smaller islands in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Area - 7,682,300 sq. km. Population - 17,662,000. Capital - Canberra (310,000). Other large cities are Sydney (3,699,000), Melbourne (3,154,000). The highest point is Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m). Administrative division: 6 states, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory. The official language is English. The main religion is Christianity. The currency is the Australian dollar. The main export items are gold and other metals, diamonds, coal, meat, wool, and grain crops. The form of government is a federal constitutional monarchy. Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established on October 10. 1942 Dec 26 1991 The Russian Federation is recognized as the legal successor of the USSR.

Australia is a country of sunshine, open spaces and vibrant modern cities. It is the sixth largest state in the world and the only state that occupies an entire continent. Australia consists of six states and two territories. It also includes the island of Tasmania. Each state has its own government, which controls areas of daily life such as schools, hospitals and transportation. Despite its large size, Australia is a fairly sparsely populated country. Most Australians live on the narrow coastal plains of Eastern and South-Eastern Australia. The interior of the continent is occupied by dry, barren plains, steppes and deserts, where there is no rain for years. However, it is here that there are rich mineral deposits and grasslands where Australian pastoralists keep huge herds of sheep and dairy cattle. The original inhabitants of Australia (Aborigines) are people from Southeast Asia who settled here about 40,000 years ago. Europeans discovered Australia in 1606, when the Dutch navigator Billem Janszoon landed on the shores of the continent. In the 18th century, Australia was colonized by Great Britain. The British government began sending here criminals sentenced to prison. Therefore, Australians have many people of English origin, and the country has maintained strong ties with the United Kingdom. The head of state is the British monarch, who is represented in Australia by the Governor-General.

Australia is surrounded on all sides by water. The wettest and most fertile areas of the country are located on the coasts of the mainland. On the northern coast of Australia the climate is tropical and humid. Tropical forests and mangroves are common here. The narrow coastal lowlands of Eastern Australia merge into the Great Dividing Range known as the Australian Alps. The Murray River, which is more than 2,500 kilometers long, has its source in these mountains.

To the west of the Great Dividing Range lie vast, rugged plains that give way to plateaus that cover two-thirds of Australia. This is an area of ​​sun-hot sandy and rocky deserts. However, the climate of the southwest coast of Australia is characterized by warm, dry summers and wet winters. 250 kilometers from the southeastern coast of Australia lies the mountainous island of Tasmania, separated from the mainland by Bass Strait.

Economy of Australia

The country receives its main income from agriculture and mining. Australia has little arable land, but extensive grazing lands support huge herds of dairy cattle and sheep. Australia exports wool, meat and dairy products. Since the 19th century, Australia has exported minerals including gold, copper, silver and zinc, mainly to the United Kingdom. In the 1950s, huge deposits of bauxite were discovered in the country, and in the 60s, oil and natural gas deposits were discovered. Australian industries produce automobiles, textiles, chemicals and household goods.

Population of Australia

The original inhabitants of Australia were the Aborigines. The word "Aborigines" means "the people who were in the beginning." Today, only half of Australia's population belongs to this ethnic group, and very few of them live a traditional lifestyle. Some live in remote villages, while most have moved to cities. Recently, Aboriginal people have been demanding the return of territories that were once taken from them by European settlers. Australia was strongly influenced not only by Britain, but also by Asia Minor and Japan. Australian cities like Sydney are a bizarre mix of Asian and European cultures.

History of Australia

Aboriginal tribes settled Australia about 40,000 years ago. Apparently they came from Asia. These tribes were engaged in fishing and hunting, and each had their own language and traditions. Dutch explorers first plotted the outlines of Australia on maps in the 17th century. At the end of the 18th century, the English navigator James Cook declared these lands his possessions

Britain, calling them South Wales. The first English settlers arrived in the country in 1778. These were 700 prisoners sentenced to hard labor in Australia. Prisoners from England continued to arrive in the country until the mid-19th century, and many new settlements were formed in Australia. The Europeans treated the country's indigenous population very poorly.

At the beginning of the 19th century, European settlers began to move inland and raise sheep brought from South America. In 1851, gold deposits were discovered in Australia, and thousands of new settlers, eager to get rich, poured into the country. In 1901, the Australian states gained the right of self-government, but still remained under the rule of the British monarch. Since 1945, thousands of immigrants from Europe and Southeast Asia have arrived in the country. Nowadays, Australia is a multinational country with a high standard of living.

2. Australian government

Australia is a federal state formed on January 1st. 1901 (at the same time the Constitution of the country was adopted) from six English colonies. It is located on the mainland of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and a number of small coastal islands.

Administratively, Australia is a federation of six states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania) and two territories (Northern and Australian Capital Territories). Each state and territory has its own parliament and government.

According to the government system, Australia is a constitutional monarchy. Formally, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented in the country by the Governor-General, appointed on the recommendation of the Australian government. His powers include convening, extending the terms of office and dissolving the federal parliament, appointing the prime minister and members of the government, approving laws adopted by the federal parliament, appointing judges of the highest courts, and directing the armed forces. Each of the six Australian states has its own governor, who has similar powers within that state.

Australia's highest legislative body is the federal parliament, consisting of the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The main role in the implementation of the legislative functions of parliament is played by the House of Representatives, consisting of 148 deputies elected by universal secret ballot for 3 years. The party (or coalition of parties) with a majority in the House of Representatives forms the government. The prime minister can only be a member of the House of Representatives, and ministers can only be deputies of either of both houses of parliament. The party (or coalition of parties) with the second largest number of deputies in the House of Representatives is the official opposition, and its leader is the leader of the opposition. The House of Representatives is headed by the Speaker. He presides over meetings, monitors compliance with the rules of parliamentary procedure and the order of debates. The Senate, according to the Constitution, is called upon to “control” the decisions of the House of Representatives. It consists of 76 deputies (12 senators from each state and 2 senators from each territory), elected for a term of 6 years. Half of the Senate is re-elected every three years.

The activities of the Australian federal parliament are largely determined by the work of parliamentary committees - bodies whose task is to study in detail certain issues and develop appropriate proposals and decisions on them. Some of the committees are permanent, others are created for the duration of consideration of specific problems. The federal parliament has committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as joint committees consisting of representatives of both houses. Usually one deputy is simultaneously a member of several committees. The most important are the joint committees - on foreign policy, defense and trade; security and intelligence parliamentary procedure; combating organized crime; government spending, as well as the Senate committees on public works; social services affairs; on issues of employment, education and training; environment; Aboriginal problems.

Executive power is exercised by the federal government, formed from representatives of the parliamentary majority party or coalition. All members of the government must be members of parliament. The government is collectively responsible to parliament (and through it to the electorate) for its activities. The Cabinet of Ministers, created within the framework of the federal government, is the main government body that shapes its policies. The Cabinet of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and consists of approximately half of the government members.

Australia respects the integrity of the federal Constitution. Of the 46 referendums held to make certain changes to it, only in six cases did voters agree to this. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of voters in four of the six Australian states must vote to change the Constitution. Before the issue of changes to the Constitution of the country is submitted to a national referendum, a decision on this must be made by an overwhelming majority of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the federal parliament.

All Australian states and territories have their own Constitutions; any changes to them are the prerogative of the state and territory parliaments. The state parliaments of New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania consist of two houses. The lower house is called the Legislative Assembly (in the states of South Australia and Tasmania - simply the Assembly), the upper house of the parliaments of the mentioned states is called the Legislative Council. Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have a unicameral parliament called the Legislative Assembly.

In general, there are three levels of government in Australia - federal, state and territory and local government - the leadership of cities and other small administrative divisions (there are currently about 680 "local governments"). The distribution of powers between these management structures is determined by the Australian Constitution. In accordance with it, the federal government is responsible for issues of defense, foreign policy and trade, finance, including taxes, pensions and other social security, employment, immigration, customs, issuing foreign passports, and control over radio and television broadcasting. The powers of state and territory administrations are limited to the areas of health and education, road construction, law enforcement, forestry, vehicle registration and fire protection. Local authorities mainly exercise control over maintaining order on the scale of individual cities and regions.

In accordance with the Constitution, all three levels of government have broad autonomy and powers, but act in close interconnection, which virtually eliminates the emergence of any serious disagreements or conflict situations. There is a practice of annual meetings of the Prime Minister with state premiers and chief ministers of territories; current issues are resolved by members of the Senate of the federal parliament, representing the relevant Australian states and territories. Laws passed by the federal parliament are binding throughout the country and override state and territory laws. Because the federal government provides extensive financial assistance to the states and territories, primarily in the form of tax contributions, it is able to participate widely in the economic and other areas of development of the states and territories. All controversial issues between the federal government and the authorities of states and territories, as well as local administrations, are resolved in the Federal Court (this mainly concerns bills pending in the federal parliament) and the Supreme Court of Australia - the highest court in the country.- geographical position . Australia- the only state in the world that occupies the territory of an entire continent, therefore Australia has only... connections. The role of foreign trade in economy Australia very big. Export is one...

Political and economic-geographical location.

Australia is the only state in the world that occupies the territory of an entire continent, so Australia has only maritime borders. Australia's neighboring countries are New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and other island states of Oceania. Australia is remote from the developed countries of America and Europe, large markets for raw materials and sales of products, but many sea routes connect Australia with them, and Australia also plays an important role in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia has a federal structure and includes 6 states:

New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia - and 2 territories: Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory. The country's territory is 7,682 thousand sq. km, located on the Australian mainland, Tasmania and other islands.

The capital of Australia is Canberra. Australia is a federal state within a commonwealth led by Great Britain. The head of state is the Queen of England, represented by the Governor-General, who is appointed on the recommendation of the Australian government. The highest legislative body is the Federal Parliament, consisting of the Senate, elected for 6 years (76 members, half renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives (148 members), elected for 3 years.

Population of Australia.

In 1996 Australia's population was 18,284,373 people, so Australia's place in the world in terms of population is in the forties.

77% of the Australian population are descendants of immigrants from the British Isles - the English, Irish, Scots, who formed the Anglo-Australian nation, the rest are mainly immigrants from other European countries, aborigines and mestizos - 250 thousand people. (1991). The majority of the country's population are immigrants. One in four Australians was born overseas. After World War II, an immigration program began, during which the country's population was increased from 7.6 million people in 1947. up to 15.5 million people in 1984 About 60% of this growth came from immigrants and their Australian-born children.

Natural resources and conditions.

Australia is rich in a variety of mineral resources. New discoveries of mineral ores made on the continent over the past 10-15 years have propelled the country to one of the first places in the world in reserves and production of minerals such as iron ore, bauxite, and lead-zinc ores.

The largest deposits of iron ore in Australia, which began to be developed in the 60s of our century, are located in the Hamersley Range in the north-west of the country (the Mount Newman, Mount Goldsworth, etc. deposits). Iron ore is also found on the islands of Kulan and Kokatu in King's Bay (in the north-west), in the state of South Australia in the Middleback Range (Iron Knob, etc.) and in Tasmania - the Savage River deposit (in the valley of the Savage River).

Large deposits of polymetals (lead, zinc with an admixture of silver and copper) are located in the western desert part of the state of New South Wales - the Broken Hill deposit. An important center for the extraction of non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, zinc) developed near the Mount Isa deposit (in Queensland). Deposits of base metals and copper are also found in Tasmania (Reed Rosebery and Mount Lyell), copper in Tennant Creek (Northern Territory) and in other places.

The main gold reserves are concentrated in the ledges of the Precambrian basement and in the southwest of the mainland (Western Australia), in the area of ​​​​the cities of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, Northman and Wiluna, as well as in Queensland. Smaller deposits are found in almost all states.

Bauxite occurs on the Cape York Peninsula (Waipa deposit) and Arnhem Land (Gove deposit), as well as in the southwest, in the Darling Range (Jarrahdale deposit).

Uranium deposits have been discovered in various parts of the mainland: in the north (Arnhem Land Peninsula) - near the South and East Alligator rivers, in the state of South Australia - near Lake. Frome, in Queensland - the Mary Catlin field and in the western part of the country - the Yillirri field.

The main deposits of hard coal are located in the eastern part of the mainland. The largest deposits of both coking and non-coking coal are developed near the cities of Newcastle and Lithgow (New South Wales) and the cities of Collinsville, Blair Athol, Bluff, Baralaba and Moura Keanga in Queensland.

Geological surveys have established that in the bowels of the Australian continent and on the shelf off its coast there are large deposits of oil and natural gas. Oil has been found and produced in Queensland (Mooney, Alton and Bennett fields), on Barrow Island off the northwest coast of the mainland, and on the continental shelf off the southern coast of Victoria (Kingfish field). Gas deposits (the largest Ranken field) and oil were also discovered on the shelf off the northwestern coast of the continent.

Australia has large deposits of chromium (Queensland), Gingin, Dongara, Mandarra (Western Australia), and Marlin (Victoria).

Non-metallic minerals include clays, sands, limestones, asbestos, and mica, which vary in quality and industrial use.

Population. Demographic situation

In 1996 Australia's population was 18,322,231 people, so Australia's place in the world in terms of population is in the forties. In 2000, the population was 19.2 million people.

The country is mainly populated by Europeans, 77% of Australia's population are descendants of settlers from the British Isles - the English, Irish, Scots, who formed the Anglo-Australian nation, the rest are mainly immigrants from other European countries, Aborigines and Mestizos - 250 thousand. people (1991). The majority of the country's population are immigrants. One in four Australians was born overseas. After. The Second World War began an immigration program, during which the country's population was increased from 7.6 million. people in 1947 up to 15.5 million people in 1984 About 60% of this growth came from immigrants and their Australian-born children. The main core of the population of Australia are Anglo-Australians.

Farm:

Australia, in a relatively short period of time - only about 80 years - has gone through a difficult path of economic development as an agrarian and raw material appendage of the metropolis, which the country was at the beginning of the 20th century; it has turned into an economically highly developed state. This was facilitated by a number of historical and economic conditions. After this, Australia's economic development immediately followed the capitalist path.

Of great importance for the development of the economy was also the fact that in the entire history of its existence, Australia did not experience military destruction and did not pay war debts or reparations. The military situation not only did not weaken the country's economy, but, on the contrary, contributed to general economic, and mainly industrial, development, since it was necessary to produce with our own means what had previously been brought from the mother country.

Satisfying this demand and thereby increasing agricultural productivity and productivity was especially important for the country.

Industry of Australia.

One of the oldest industries in Australia is the mining industry. The Australian mainland is rich in a wide variety of mineral resources. From 50% to 90 and even 99% of mining industry products are exported to other countries.

Australia's mining industry plays an important role in the country's economy because... Mining raw materials were, and still are, one of the main items of Australian export.

According to scientific research, an average of 50 tons of iron ore, 55 tons of limestone, 4 tons of zinc, 200 tons of coal, 175 cubic meters are mined per year per Australian resident. crude oil. Australia is one of the world's main exporters of minerals, although it only develops 0.02% of Australia's entire territory, because... in some regions there are difficulties of access or remoteness of deposits, or unprofitability of development.

During the 1980s a large influx of investment in the mining and manufacturing industries led to an increase in production rates. Australian workers are the most skilled. Working conditions today are dramatically different from working conditions 10 or more years ago. The need to use new technologies is constantly increasing, and therefore industry today includes new branches of science and technology, business administration and marketing, environmental control, etc.

The development of the mining industry from its very inception was determined by the widespread investment of English capital.

Iron and steel industry of Australia.

In 1994, iron ore production amounted to 123.9 million tons (by weight). The smelting of some metals increased and amounted to 7.2 million tons (cast iron), and steel - 7.6 million tons.

In Australia, all stages of ferrous metal production are developed - blast furnace, steel foundry, rolling, as well as the production of special steels and alloys and various types of metalworking. The smelting of non-ferrous metals: copper, tin, zinc, etc. has received great development. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy meets the increased needs of mechanical engineering and other industries.

Main iron ore deposits: Pilbara (Western Australia), Mount Newman, Mount Goldsworth deposits, on the islands of Kulan and Cockatoo in King's Bay (in the north-west), in the state of South Australia in the Middleback Range (Iron Knob, etc.) and in Tasmania - the Savage River field (in the Savage River valley).

Crude metals are also smelted in the area of ​​the Mount Isa copper deposit and some others.

The main centers of iron and steel industry in Australia are located on the east coast (the cities of Port Kembla, Newcastle, Melbourne).