WESTERN AUSTRALIA, one of the states of the Commonwealth of Aus tralia; includes all that portion of the continent situated W. of Ion. 129° E. The territory measures 1,480 miles from Cape Londonderry in the N. to Peak Head in the S., and about 1,000 miles from E. to W. The total estimated area is 975,920 square miles, thus making it the largest of the former Australian colonies. The really occupied portion is confined mainly to the coast region and to gold-mining settlements in the interior. Capital, Perth, on Swan river; pop. about 100,000.
Topography.—The rivers in the S. W. are the Blackwood, Murray, Swan, Mur chison, farther N., the Gascoyne, Ashburton, Fortescue, De Grey, Fitzroy, etc., none of them navigable at all sea sons. The interior of Western Aus tralia is in great part sterile, with ex tensive tracts of scrub and salt marsh; but the colony is as yet imperfectly known. The S. W. has vast forests, which supply valuable timber for expor tation, especially that known as jarrah. The Kimberley and N. districts contain boundless pastures, and there are lands suitable for the growth of sugar, tobacco, wheat, etc. In other parts are soils and climates admirably adapted for the cul tivation of silk, olives, the vine, etc.
Minerals.—Gold is found at Kimber ley and Yilgarn, and at several places be tween these districts, the chief fields being the Murchison, the Ashburton, and the Rilbarra. The Coolgardie field be
came prominent in 1895. The total value of the gold export of 1918 was about $20,000,000. Copper and lead are found in abundance. The other chief minerals are coal, tin, and iron. The pearl fish eries are rising in value. • Government.—In 1890 responsible government was conferred on the colony by the British Parliament in a new constitution (amended in 1893, 1899, and 1911), vesting the administration in a governor and Parliament. The latter consisted of a legislative Council or Upper House and a Legislative Assembly or Lower House. Education is compul sory, but not free. In 1900 female suf frage was carried by the amendment to the constitution. The estimated revenue for 1920 was over $25,000,000; expen diture, over $30,000,000; debt, about $185,000,000.
History.—Western Australia was first settled in 1829 as the Swan River Settle ment, and for many years the popula tion was very small; but in the year 1891 it had risen to 49,782. In 1850 it was made a convict station, and remained such till the abolition of transportation in 1868. Since that time it has been mak ing gradual progress. Pop. about 300, 000. See AUSTRALIAN COmmONWEALTH.