Western Australia (Postal WA), is Australia's largest state in area, covering the western third of the mainland, and is bordered by South Australia and the Northern Territory. It is, after the Sakha Republic in Russia, the second largest subnational entity (statoid) in the world. The capital city, Perth, is the most isolated city of over one million people in the world, being 2,104 km (1307 miles) from Adelaide. Perth is closer to Jakarta, Indonesia (3,007 km/1,868 miles) than it is to Sydney (3,284 km/2,041 miles).
The major universities in Western Australia are the Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, University of Notre Dame and the University of Western Australia.
Western Australia has the highest per capita output of any Australian state, with an economy that has been largely based on the extraction and export of mining and petroleum commodities, especially, iron, alumina, natural gas, nickel and gold. Western Australia is a leading alumina extractor, producing more than 20% of the world's alumina. It is also the world's third-largest iron ore producer, producing around 15% of the world's total iron ore output. Western Australia also extracts up to 75% of Australia's 240 tonnes of gold. Diamonds are extracted at Argyle diamond mine in the North West. Coal is mined at Collie and used for domestic power production.
Western Australia's economy recently has benefited from an unprecedented amount of foreign demand for resources, particularly from China. This has contributed to strong GSP growth. Perth has emerged as a significant administration centre for businesses in the mineral and oil and gas industries.
Agricultural exports are also important (amounting to approximately 3% of GSP), especially wheat, barley and sheep products such as wool and meat. Approximately 50% of Australia's live cattle exports come from WA. In recent years, tourism has grown in importance, with the majority of visitors coming from the United Kingdom and Ireland, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia.
A number of national or international sporting teams and events are based in the state, including:
Football: The West Coast Eagles- 2006 AFL Premiers, and The Fremantle Dockers
Cricket: The Western Warriors
Soccer: The Perth Glory
Basketball: The Perth Wildcats
Rugby Union: The Western Force
Netball: The Perth Orioles
International events hosted by Western Australia include the Hopman Cup, the Perth Cup and the Red Bull Air Race.
Western Australia has a significant fishing industry that produces fish for local consumption and foreign export including Western Rock Lobsters, Prawns, Crabs, Shark and Tuna. Processing is conducted along the west coast. Whaling ceased at Albany in 1978.
Perth is a centre for banking and finance, and includes state head offices for all major banks, Commonwealth, National Australia Bank, Westpac and ANZ. It is also home to the Head Office of Woodside Petroleum and has major offices for Rio Tinto, BHP and Western Mining Corporation. Perth is Australia's main centre for mining and oil and gas administration. Several insurance companies have large offices in Perth including AXA, Aviva, AMP and SGIO.
Perth has the biggest retail sector in the state with retail outlets being found mainly in Hay, Murray and Wellington Streets. Several large shopping malls are located in the suburbs at Garden City, Karrinyup, Morley and Cannington. Department stores include Myer and David Jones. Fremantle is also a retail centre catering for local and tourist needs.
Disclaimer:
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travelers, neither INeedAHotel.com, LLC nor its agents or employees including any member of the INeedAHotel.com, LLC staff, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
|
 Additional Reading:
|
Easily book online or call toll free 1-800-594-3541
