Queensland

Queensland is a state comprising the north-eastern part of Australia. Its area is 66,700 sq. miles with-population over 1,600,000. It is the second largest state in Australia. The capital is Brisbane. Gold Coast is the second largest city. James Cook explored this land in 1770 and called it New South Wales. The first settlement (1824) was a prison. In 1859 it became a separate colony.

The Great Dividing Range separates the wet coastal plain from the Great Australian Basin in the south. The highest peak is Mount Battle Frere (1,611 ml.). The northern half is tropical. The Great Barrier Reef on the coast of Queensland is a garden under the sea. There are 1,400 kinds of fish and 300 kinds of coral.

Temperature in July is +18°C and +32°C in January. Tropical fruit and flowers grow on the beautiful islands. Many holidaymakers come to Queensland every year.

It is an agricultural region of sugarcane, wheat, maize, sorghum, vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat cattle, sheep and pig farming. The state raises a third of Australia's cattle.

Queensland has rich resources of timber, coal, copper, uranium, gild, silver, lead, zinc and oil. The main industries of Queensland are agricultural processing, timber mills, engineering, copper refining, rubber and clothing. Primary education is free and compulsory.