We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Queensland?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated: Feb 27, 2024
Views: 8,954
Share

Queensland, Australia is one of Australia’s 6 states and 2 territories, along with New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory. Queensland, the state that covers the northeast corner of Australia, is bordered on the west by the Northern Territory and South Australia, to the south by New South Wales, and on the east and north, by the Gulf of Carepentaria and the Coral Sea.

And it is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, that the Great Barrier Reef is found. Compounded of over 2,000 individual reefs and nearly 1,000 fringe reefs, there are over 300 species of coral represented, as well as a vast array of fish, birds, shellfish, gastropods, sponges, worms, and anemones.

Queensland is the second largest in size with 668,207 square miles (1,730,648 sq km), which is nearly a quarter of the land area in Australia, and third in population with a 2006 population of 4,091,500. It follows Western Australia in size, but follows New South Wales and Victoria in population. Queensland has 8,293 miles of coastland (13,347 km), and it is the region of Australia that is most tropical, being 46% in the temperate zone and 54% in the tropics. The highest point is Mount Bartle Frere at 5,322 feet (1622 m).

Named for Queen Victoria, Queensland is nicknamed the Sunshine State, and its motto is “Bold and Faithful” — Audax at Fidelis in Latin. Its state emblems are as follows:

  • State flower: Cooktown orchid
  • State bird: brolga or Australian crane
  • State animal emblem: koala
  • State aquatic emblem: Barrier Reef Anemonefish
  • State gem: Sapphire
  • State badge: Maltese cross with a royal crown superimposed

The brolga and the state badge, as well as a bull’s head, Merino ram, a pile of quartz, a gold pyramid, a pick and spade, and a red deer are shown on the state coat of arms.

It is estimated that aboriginal peoples had been in Queensland, mainly in along the coast or in the mountains, before Europeans exploration began. A good section of the coast was explored by Captain James Cook, and Brisbane, the present capital, was settled in 1825.

Queensland is fortunate in its resources, with most of its land useful for crops and grazing, and exports beef, wheat, wool, and sugar. Commercial fisheries, mining, refineries, contribute, but around three-fifths of the state’s production is in the service industry. Tourism has also, more and more, become an important part of the Queensland economy, with visitors flocking to its beaches and other natural attractions both from within Australia and from overseas.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGeek, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-queensland.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.