Western Australia
Occupying almost the entire western third of the country, Western Australia (WA) is the largest area of the country, boasting a land mass of over 2,645,000 million square kilometres that is home to 2.2 million inhabitants, one-tenth of the national total. 85% of the state's population live in the south-west corner in or near Perth, the capital city.
Western Australia's main natural resource and its main export is iron, and its economy is rounded out with agriculture and tourism. WA remains, however, the third largest iron ore producer in the world.
WA's gross state product is far higher than elsewhere in the country with a rated average of $70,009 AUD per person, compared to the rest of the nation at $54,006 per person. Economic expansion and diversity has given rise to enhanced industry opportunities and a more balanced production foundation. In turn, that balance gives rise to increased residential and commercial enterprise opportunities, underwriting a projected growth within the state of approximately 5% per year.
Western Australia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, and rainfall in the area ranges from 300 mm at the edge of the Wheatbelt region to 1,400 mm near Northcliff. However, the late spring and summer months cause more evaporation than accumulation and is usually almost arid.