WEST AUSTRALIA

WEST AUSTRALIA is a state in Australia. Perth, on the Swan River, is the capital, and the chief exports are wool and gold. It is 1500 m. long and 1000 m. broad, and embracing an area nearly equal to one-third of the whole Australian continent; great part of it, particularly in the centre, is desert, and the best soil is in the W. and NE. Emigration to it proceeded slowly at first, but has been steadily increasing, especially since the discovery of gold.

It was the largest of the Australian colonies, though least populous, formerly called the Swan River Settlement. In 1890 it received a constitution and became self-governing like the other possessions of Great Britain in Australia. It was federated with the other British colonies in Australia in 1901.