The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1999 to 2025 Oceania

Background Australia, in 27 editions.

The entry for Australia published Background in 27 editions of 36, from 1999 to 2025. The text changed in 14 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
14
the first edition with it
1999
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (1999 to 2025).

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2002 edition

Changed since 2001

Open the 2002 entry

The same text in 2002 and 2003.

Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to a republic, was defeated in 1999.

Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. A referendum to change Australia's status, from a commonwealth headed by the British monarch to an independent a republic, was defeated in 1999.

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Central Intelligence Agency. “Australia: Background.” The World Factbook, 1999–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/australia/background.

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