Queensland is a state in northeastern Australia, bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales, and the Coral Sea. It is the second-largest state and has a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Great Barrier Reef. Its economy is based on agriculture, mining, and tourism.
Queensland, Australia is one of 6 states and 2 territories in Australia, along with New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Queensland, the state covering the northeastern corner of Australia, is bordered by the Northern Territory and South Australia to the west, by New South Wales to the south, and by the Gulf of Wales to the east and north. Carepentaria and the Coral Sea.
And it is in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland that the Great Barrier Reef is found. Comprised of over 2,000 individual reefs and nearly 1,000 marginal reefs, over 300 coral species are represented, as well as a diverse range of fish, birds, crustaceans, gastropods, sponges, worms and anemones.
Queensland is the second largest in size at 668,207 square miles (1,730,648 sq km), which is nearly a quarter of the land area in Australia, and third largest in population with a 2006 population of 4,091,500. It follows Western Australia in size, but follows New South Wales and Victoria in population. Queensland has 8,293 miles of coastline (13,347 km) and is the most tropical region of Australia, being 46% in the temperate zone and 54% in the tropics. The highest point is Mount Bartle Frere at 5,322 feet (1622 m).
Named for Queen Victoria, Queensland is nicknamed the Sunshine State and its motto is “Bold and Faithful” – Audax at Fidelis in Latin. Its state emblems are as follows:
State Flower: Cooktown Orchid
State bird: brolga or Australian crane
State animal emblem: koala
Aquatic State Emblem: Clownfish of the Coral Reef
State Gem: Sapphire
State badge: Maltese cross with a superimposed royal crown
The brolga and state badge, as well as a bull’s head, a Merino ram, a heap of quartz, a golden pyramid, a pick and spade, and a deer are shown on the state coat of arms.
Aboriginal peoples are estimated to have been in Queensland, mainly along the coast or in the mountains, before European exploration began. Much of the coast was explored by Captain James Cook and Brisbane, the current capital, was founded in 1825.
Queensland is fortunate in its resources, with most of its land being used for crops and grazing, and exports beef, wheat, wool and sugar. Commercial fishing, mining, and refining contribute, but about three-fifths of state output is in the service sector. Tourism has also increasingly become a major part of Queensland’s economy, with visitors flocking to its beaches and other natural attractions from both Australia and overseas.
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