Area:
2,966,150 square miles

Population:
20,434,000 (2007)
92% Caucasian, 7% Asian, 1% Aboriginal and others

Major Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholicism

Official Language:
English

Australia

Australia consistently ranks as a must-see tourist destination. The unique wildlife, beautiful scenery, and open culture are attractive qualities of this isolated continent. With plentiful natural resources, the country's economy has grown to become twelfth largest in the world.

England sent her overflow of convicts to Australia from the late 1700s until the mid-1800s. Despite its rough beginnings, Australia has a favorable Christian heritage. Even today, seven out of ten Australians claim affiliation with a church. But while Australia has enjoyed security and material success, churches struggle with materialism and increasing secularization in society. Many churches have ceased to be faithful to the Gospel, resulting in spiritual ignorance in today's generation.