After Australian confederation was achieved on Jan. 1, 1901, the flag was chosen. Like the blue flags of British colonies, it displays the Union Jack in the canton. Also shown are the Southern Cross and a "Commonwealth Star." The design became official on May 22, 1909, and it was recognized as the national flag on Feb. 14, 1954.

Australia Official name: Commonwealth of Australia. Form of government: federal parliamentary state (formally a constitutional monarchy) with two legislative houses (Senate [76]; House of Representatives [148]). Chief of state: British Monarch represented by Governor-General. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 18,725,000. Population projection: (2000) 19,117,000; (2010) 21,018,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 7.2 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$367,802,000,000 (U.S.$20,090 per capita). Land use (1995): agricultural and under permanent cultivation 6.3%; other 93.7% (of which, meadows and pastures [1994] 54.2%).

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