Queensland

Queensland, often called QLD, is a large state in northeastern Australia. It is the second-largest and third-most populous state in the country. Queensland shares borders with the Northern Territory, South Australia, and New South Wales on land, while the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean lie to its east. To the north, the Torres Strait separates it from Papua New Guinea, and the Gulf of Carpentaria lies to the northwest.

With an area of over 1.7 million square kilometers, Queensland is the world’s sixth-largest subdivision of any country. Its landscape is incredibly diverse, featuring tropical rainforests, rivers, coral reefs, mountain ranges, white sandy beaches, deserts, and savanna. The state’s population is over 5.5 million, with most living in South East Queensland, especially in the capital city, Brisbane, which is Australia’s third-largest city.

Queensland has a rich history, originally inhabited by Aboriginal Australians and later explored by Europeans like Willem Janszoon and James Cook. It became a separate colony in 1859 and was one of the six colonies that formed the nation of Australia in 1901. Today, Queensland’s economy is strong in areas such as mining, agriculture, and tourism, especially drawn to its famous Great Barrier Reef and sunny beaches. The state continues to attract people from across Australia and around the world.

History

Main article: History of Queensland

Pre-European contact

Main article: History of Indigenous Australians

Queensland was home to many Aboriginal groups before Europeans arrived. These groups had lived there for thousands of years, developing unique cultures and languages. During the last ice age, the land changed, but the people adapted, creating new tools and ways to live.

The Torres Strait Islands were home to the Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have their own distinct culture and history.

European colonisation

In 1606, a Dutch explorer named Willem Janszoon became the first European to land in Australia near what is now Weipa. Later, British explorer James Cook claimed the east coast for Britain in 1770.

In the 1820s, British settlers began establishing communities, leading to changes in the lives of Aboriginal peoples. Over time, Queensland grew from a small penal colony into a thriving region.

Independent governance

In 1859, Queensland became its own colony separate from New South Wales, with Brisbane as its capital. The discovery of gold helped the economy grow quickly. In 1901, Queensland became part of the federated country of Australia.

20th century

Queensland saw many changes in the 1900s. Women gained the right to vote in state elections in 1905, and the University of Queensland opened in 1909. During World War I and World War II, many Queenslanders served and the state played important roles in both wars.

After World War II, many people from Europe moved to Queensland. The state became more popular with people moving from other parts of Australia due to its warm climate. In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

21st century

In recent years, Queensland has grown a lot in population. Major floods caused damage in 2011, and the state was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Queensland

Queensland is a large state in northeastern Australia, covering an area of 1,729,742 square kilometres. It is the second-largest state in the country. The state's eastern edge borders the Coral Sea, and it is surrounded by the Torres Strait to the north, Northern Territory and South Australia to the west, and New South Wales to the south.

Queensland has many different landscapes, from coastal areas with the famous Great Barrier Reef to inland regions with dry, arid climates. Major regions include South East Queensland, home to the capital city Brisbane and popular tourist spots like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, as well as areas known for farming, mining, and natural beauty like the Wet Tropics and Lamington National Park.

Demographics

See also: Demographics of Australia and Demographics of Brisbane

In December 2021, Queensland had an estimated population of 5,265,043. About half of the people live in Brisbane, and over 70% live in South East Queensland. Queensland is the second most decentralised state in Australia after Tasmania. Since the 1980s, Queensland has been the fastest-growing state in Australia because many people move there from other places and from other countries.

Ten of Australia's thirty largest cities are in Queensland. The biggest cities are Brisbane, the Gold Coast–Tweed Heads, and the Sunshine Coast.

Many people in Queensland have families that came from other countries. In the past, most people came from England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. After the second world war, many people came from southern and eastern Europe, especially Italy. Today, most new people coming to Queensland are from Asia, especially China and India.

At the 2016 census, the most common ancestries were English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and German. Many people also have Chinese, Italian, Indian or Dutch ancestry.

Most people in Queensland speak only English at home. Some people speak Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese or Spanish.

About half of the people in Queensland follow Christianity, mostly as Protestants or Catholics. Many people say they have No religion. Some people follow other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam.

Queensland has many universities, including the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University and James Cook University. Many students from other countries study in Queensland, especially in Brisbane. The state also has many primary and secondary schools, as well as a public library system managed by the State Library of Queensland.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Queensland

See also: Economy of Australia

Queensland's economy is very strong. In 2019, it had a value of A$357,044 million, making it the third-largest in Australia. The state's economy grew because of its mining, farming, and many visitors from other places. Important farms grow fruits like bananas and pineapples, as well as sugarcane and cotton. The state also mines valuable minerals such as coal and gold.

Tourism is a big part of Queensland's economy. The state's beautiful beaches, wildlife, and many places to visit bring millions of tourists each year. Popular spots include the Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast with its amusement parks, and the Sunshine Coast with its beaches and zoos. Brisbane, the state's capital, is also a popular place to visit with many parks, museums, and other attractions.

Politics and government

Main article: Politics of Queensland

Queensland is one of the six founding states of Australia and has been a federated state since 1901. Its government follows a parliamentary constitutional monarchy and is influenced by the Westminster system. Power is divided into three parts: the Parliament of Queensland, the Queensland Government, and the judiciary. The Parliament makes laws, the Government implements them, and the courts ensure they are followed fairly.

Queensland’s Parliament has one house, called the Legislative Assembly, with members elected to represent different areas. The leader of the Government is the Premier, chosen by the Governor based on who has the support of the Assembly. The current Premier is David Crisafulli from the Liberal National Party. Local governments help manage services in different regions across the state.

Main article: Local government in Queensland

Culture

The Queensland Cultural Centre in Brisbane is a hub for the state's arts and culture, home to the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. It also hosts groups like the Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, Queensland Theatre Company, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Queensland has produced many famous musicians, including the Bee Gees and Savage Garden. Each year, the state celebrates big events such as the Royal Queensland Exhibition, known as the Ekka, and the Brisbane Festival, which features a spectacular fireworks show called "Riverfire."

Sport

Main article: Sport in Queensland

Queensland is a big fan of sports! The state has many teams in Australia’s top leagues. The most popular sports are rugby league and cricket.

Queensland has teams like the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Bulls that play in big competitions. The state will host the 2032 Summer Olympics, which will be a huge event for sports lovers everywhere.

Symbols and emblems

Main article: Symbols of Queensland

Queensland has special symbols that represent its history and natural beauty. The state’s coat of arms, given in 1893 by Queen Victoria, shows important 19th-century industries like farming and mining. Two birds, the brolga and the red deer, support the arms.

Many other symbols highlight Queensland’s unique plants, animals, and colors. The koala is the state’s animal emblem, the Cooktown orchid is its floral emblem, and maroon is its official color. The sapphire was named the state gem in 1985.

Infrastructure

See also: Transportation in Australia, Transport in Brisbane, TransLink (South East Queensland), and Queensland Rail City network

Transport

Queensland has many roads, including important ones called National Highways and freeways, especially in the area known as South East Queensland. The Department of Transport & Main Roads looks after these roads and public transport such as buses, trains, taxis, and small airplanes.

Trains in Queensland are mainly run by Queensland Rail between big towns on the east side of the mountains. Big ports like the Port of Brisbane help move goods in and out of the state. Brisbane Airport is the main place for airplanes, but there are also airports in places like the Gold Coast, Cairns, and Townsville. South East Queensland has a special system for buses, trains, light rail, and ferries that all work together. This system has many stops and includes popular ferry services along the Brisbane River. A new train system called Cross River Rail is being built for the 2032 Olympic games.

Other utilities

Queensland Health runs the public hospitals across the state. There are big hospitals in Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, and the Gold Coast, as well as many smaller hospitals in other areas. There are also private hospitals for people who choose to pay for their own care.