Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania.

Australia is one of the eighteen British Commonwealth Realms and thus of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is also a member of the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Treaty Organisation.

History

 * 1901: passing of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia
 * 1942: adoption of the Statute of Westminster, making Australia an independent dominion of the British Empire
 * 1969: passing of the Commonwealth Realms Act in British Columbia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Malta; other Realms passed this act in later years.

Society and culture

 * Transportation in Australia