Area:
total: 7,741,220 sq km
land: 7,682,300 sq km
water: 58,920 sq km
Climate:
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Terrain:
mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Arable land:
6.16% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland)
Permanent crops:
0.05%
Irrigated land:
25,460 sq km (2006)
Total renewable water resources:
492 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 22.58 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%)
Natural hazards:
cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural freshwater resources
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Labor force:
12.15 million (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
total: 7,741,220 sq km
land: 7,682,300 sq km
water: 58,920 sq km
Climate:
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
Terrain:
mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
Arable land:
6.16% (includes about 27 million hectares of cultivated grassland)
Permanent crops:
0.05%
Irrigated land:
25,460 sq km (2006)
Total renewable water resources:
492 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 22.58 cu km/yr (27%/18%/55%)
Natural hazards:
cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural freshwater resources
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry
Labor force:
12.15 million (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
This is an example of Australia industrial agricultural technology that they use to prepare their soil for farming.
This is Australia's wheat crop which is a commonly used grain in Australia; this is a large industrial farm.
This is an example of Australia's cattle raising, beef is a popular meat product in Australia.
This Australian farm is using pesticide on their crop to kill of any organisms that might kill their crop.
This is a large Australian sheep farm for meat and wool. When an older sheep is killed for meat its called mutton a less popular meat do to its toughness.