Australia

Capital: Canberra
National Anthem: “God Save the Queen” for official occasions, and for others, “Advance Australian Fair”
Monetary unit: Australian Dollar
Area: 2,965,017 sq. miles.
Estimated Population: 17,684,000
Official Language: English
Major Exports: Gold, other metals and metal ores, diamonds, coal, meat, wool, and cereals.

Australia is the world’s smallest continent, which is why it is revered more as a country than treated as a continent. It is located in the transition of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, southeast of mainland Asia. Australia has four different geographical divisions. In the east, the coast is plain, flat, and of course sandy. It also has mountainous terrain, which goes from Tasmania northward to northern Queensland. Central Australia is mostly drainage basins, which are known around the world for its extensiveness. Lastly, in the west, the country-continent is covered with huge deserts. Its natural resource of extensive rivers and its tributaries immensely aid the economy. One of those is the Murray River, Australia’s largest river. The climate is Australia also varies regionally. During the summers, the average temperatures range from 68°F to 86°F, whereas during the winters, the average temperatures range from 48°F to 77°F. In the deserts of the country, the temperatures are extreme, where in the summers they may reach up to 115°F. 

Australia has a diverse economy, thus it cannot be classified as an agricultural, or an industrial economy, for it has a balance of both. The country depends on the exports of meat, foods/grains/cereals, and wool from its agricultural sectors. Moreover, from its industrial sectors it depends on mining of diamonds, gold, lead, copper, zinc, and iron ore. These are its natural resources along with the Murray River. Australia is the world’s leading producer of wool, meats, and dairy products. In terms of its minerals, it has achieved no less. It is also one of the world’s leading producers in minerals. Australia had an economic recession in 1990, however, it started recovering from it in mid-1991, which is evident from the reported economic growth. Its unemployment rates lower every economic year, further helping build international and national confidence in the Australian economy. The Australian economy continues to recognize and build its industrial sectors due to its potential. However, international competition hinders the growth. In spite of the inhibition, the industries grow slowly.

New Zealand

Capital: Wellington
National Anthem: “God Save the Queen,” and “God Defend New Zealand”
Monetary unit: New Zealander Dollar
Area: 103,990 sq. miles.
Estimated Population: 3,520,000
Official Language: English
Major Exports: Meat, milk, butter, cheese, wool, fish, and fruit.

New Zealand is located off the southeast coast of Australia in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand is made of two major islands called The North Island and the South Island. The South Island has more mountains than the North Island. The mountain is called the Southern Alps. The South Island mountains are volcanically active, but there have been no volcanic eruptions recently. The temperatures usually range from 54°F in the North Island to 59°F in the South Island.

The New Zealander economy is primarily agriculture. However, there has been enormous growth in its industrial sectors, in both light and heavy industry sectors. To further develop its economy the country is moving towards exploiting a few of its resources, like developing the forestry industry. Since the country does not have many natural resources, it imports many raw materials from around the world. To repay, it trades with its exports to keep the finances in balance. However, because of this reliance, the country is dependent on the international economical status, and fluctuates accordingly. The country however, endured a 10-year economic plan/reform, which was successful. Because of the reform, the country is now one of the more prosperous free market economies in the world, comparable to many of the economies in Europe.