- Australia is one of the world’s richest countries. It exports valuable minerals and farm products to all parts of the world.
- Various kinds of raw materials are produced. Many of them, however, lie in dry areas very far away from bigger cities or harbors. Workers must build railroad lines or roads to the mines, which is a reason why mining is a very expensive industry in Australia. Foreign companies come to Australia to invest money to mine raw materials.
- Australia is the world’s Nr. 1 in the production of diamonds, bauxite and lead. It also produces a big quantity of coal, iron ore and nickel.
- About 60% of Australia is farmland, most of which is used to raise cattle and sheep. Farmers can grow wheat in many parts of the country because wheat doesn’t need very much rain.
- Other products that are produced include sugar cane and bananas in the tropical north and fruits like apples, oranges and pears in the south.
Source link: http://www.english-online.at/geography/australia/australia-economy.htm