Australia is the world's largest producer and exporter of wool. It supplies almost one-third of the world's wool. Most sheep are Merinos. This breed of sheep has fine thick wool and adjusts well to the dry climate. Sheep are raised on huge sheep stations, thousands of hectares in area. The herders, known as drovers, ride horses and use sheepdogs to gather their flocks. Australia also has large cattle stations, and beef is an important part of the Australian diet.

Moist air in the coastal areas provides perfect conditions for growing crops such as wheat, grapes, fruit and sugar cane. In recent years the number of farmers has declined, because the increase in fertilizer use, better irrigation systems and mechanization mean that fewer people are needed to work on farms. At the same time, Australia's wine industry has expanded. Wine has become one of Australia's largest exports.

Another major industry is mining. Australia supplies a major part of the world's iron ore, bauxite, aluminum, coal, copper, gold, lead, manganese, nickel, silver, zinc and uranium. Australia is also an important source of diamonds and produces more than 90% of the world's opals every year. Discovered in 1911, opals are mined in only a few areas in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Other large industries include food processing, motor vehicles, machinery, paper products, textiles and clothing. Tourism is currently one of the country's fastest-growing industries. Most tourists come from Japan.

About 72% of the Australian work force is employed in services, and 23% in manufacturing and trade. Australia's major trading partners are Japan and the United States. Regional and local groups are currently working with mining and other industries in cooperative economic projects. Landcare, an organization similar to Greenpeace, has initiated projects to save the rainforests in Queensland.

Did you know?

Australia pioneered the use of bank notes made of plastic (polymers). They last four times as long as regular paper notes and provide greater security against counterfeiting. Australia now exports plastic bills to other countries such as New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.

More than one-half of Australian workers are women. Unpaid maternity leave is available for up to one year. Single mothers may receive government subsidies, depending on their financial needs. Benefits are also provided to common-law couples who can claim dependents.

Unemployment among Aborigines is about four times higher than the national average. Government-funded programs promote the employment and training of Aboriginal people.

Did you know?

Aborigines were the inventors of the boomerang. There are two kinds. The hunting boomerang is two feet long, with a slight curve at one end and sharp edge on the other. The other is used in competitions. It is lighter in weight, with a more noticeable curve, and returns when thrown. Both are made of wood and decorated with carvings or painted designs.