Australia, the world's smallest continent but sixth largest country, is located in the South Pacific Ocean, between Indonesia and New Zealand. It is approximately 7.6 sq km in land area, slightly smaller than the US. However, Australia only has a population of about 18 million people, comparable to the population in Texas, USA. Most Australian's citizens reside along the eastern and southeastern coasts. Those living on the west coast enjoy a regular, tropical, and invigorating sea breeze known as "the Doctor" during the summer months.
Australia is divided into six states and two territories where Canberra is the capital. The Australian flag is 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. The remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white, with one small five-pointed star and four, larger seven-pointed stars.
The country has a prosperous Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP comparable to levels in the industrialized West European countries. Rich in natural resources, Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. Total exports in 1992 total $44.1 billion where imports were $43.6 billion. Their major trading partners include the US, Japan, the UK, and Germany (in rank order).
This paper specifically focuses on the information technology within Australia. Topics for discussion include Australia's telecommunications structure, privatization and deregulation within the industry, Internet activity, the computer and software industries, human capital in relation to information technology, information technology usage, information technology export areas, government policies, and the legal environment. The paper will, then, conclude with an analysis of Australia's information technology industry detailing current strengths and weaknesses; and an analysis of the impact of information technology on non-information technology globally competing firms.
| Australia Main Menu | Next Section | E-mail Author |
URL: http://www.http://gurukul.ucc.american.edu/initeb/lk0767a/australi.htm
Author: Linda Kallmeyer
Last Update: May 6, 1997