AUSTRALIA - FACTS AND FIGURES

Area: 7, 682, 300 km2

Population: 18 million (1995)

Population Growth: 1.2% (1995)

Capital: Canberra

System of Government: Federal Democracy

Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II

Prime Minister: The Honourable John Howard

Key Government Ministers: John Fahey, Minister for Finance; Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs; John Moore, Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism; Tim Fischer, Minister for Trade and Deputy Prime Minister.

Language: English

Literacy Rate: 99%

Ethnic Background: Ethnic origin by place of birth, as at June 1993, is as follows: Australian 77.2%, European 13.5%, Asian 4.5%, Oceanic 2.1%, Middle East or African 1.8% and American 0.9%.

Religion: According to the 1991 Census, the Australian population is primarily Christian with Catholics, Anglicans and other Christians making up 27%, 24% and 22% of the population respectively. 23% of the population professes to no religion and the remaining 4% is comprised of various non-Christian faiths.

Currency: C$ 1.00 = A$ 0.93 (average, week ending September 27, 1996)

Some helpful hints if you are planning to do business "down under..."

• "Business Ethics" in Australia are very similar to Canadian work ethics.
  
  
• Confirm appointments, so you don't show up on the wrong day! Be on time and shake hands when you meet someone.
  
  
• When meeting someone, call them by their last name or title. When business starts, first names are usually used.
  
  
• Business is usually informal. If someone teases you, please don't start to cry, it is all done in good fun!
  
  
• It is very important to be friendly. If you are invited to a social event, go! It will definitely help your business dealings.
  
  
• If you are invited to a home for dinner, it is very nice to bring a gift. Flowers, wine, food, chocolates...you get the idea.

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Some of this information was taken from the Information Series published by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It is available in print format.