Queensland is a state situated in northeastern Australia, the second-largest and third-most populous Australian state.
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34 Facts About Queensland
2.
Queensland was first inhabited by Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.
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3.
Queensland was explored in subsequent decades, and the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement was established at Brisbane in 1824 by John Oxley.
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4.
Queensland was separated from New South Wales on 6 June 1859, thereby establishing Queensland as a self-governing Crown colony with responsible government, named in honour of Queen Victoria.
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5.
Queensland was among the six colonies which became the founding states of Australia with Federation on 1 January 1901.
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6.
Since the Bjelke-Petersen era of the late 20th century, Queensland has received a high level of internal migration from the other states and territories of Australia and remains a popular destination for interstate migration.
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7.
Queensland has the third-largest economy among Australian states, with strengths in mining, agriculture, transportation, international education, insurance and banking.
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8.
Queensland returned in 1824 and established a penal settlement at what is Redcliffe.
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9.
The "Native Police Force", employed by the Queensland government, was key in the oppression of the indigenous people.
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10.
On 10 December 1859, a proclamation was read by George Bowen, the first Governor of Queensland, formally establishing Queensland as a separate colony from New South Wales.
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11.
On 22 May 1860 the first Queensland election was held and Robert Herbert, Bowen's private secretary, was appointed as the first Premier of Queensland.
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12.
Queensland's economy expanded rapidly in 1867 after James Nash discovered gold on the Mary River near the town of Gympie, sparking a gold rush.
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13.
In 1922, Queensland abolished the Queensland Legislative Council, becoming the only Australian state with a unicameral parliament.
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14.
Since that time, Queensland has continuously seen high levels of migration from the other states and territories of Australia.
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15.
Queensland's coastline includes the world's three largest sand islands: K'gari, Moreton and North Stradbroke.
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17.
Since the 1980s, Queensland has consistently been the fastest-growing state in Australia, as it receives high levels of both international immigration and migration from interstate.
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18.
The state's oldest university, the University of Queensland, was established in 1909 and frequently ranks among the world's top 50.
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19.
The Whitsunday Islands off the coast of North Queensland are a popular tourist destinations for their resort facilities and access to the Great Barrier Reef.
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20.
One of the six founding states of Australia, Queensland has been a federated state subject to the Australian Constitution since 1 January 1901.
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21.
Executive authority is nominally vested in the Governor of Queensland who represents and is appointed by the Monarch of Australia on the advice of the Premier of Queensland.
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22.
Elections in Queensland are held at the end of each fixed four-year parliamentary term, and are determined by instant-runoff voting.
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23.
Queensland is divided into 77 local government areas, which are created by the state government under legislation.
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24.
State of Queensland is represented in all of Australia's national sporting competitions and it is host to a number of domestic and international sporting events.
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25.
Rugby league's annual State of Origin series is a major event in the Queensland sporting calendar, with the Queensland Maroons representing the state.
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26.
In cricket, the Queensland Bulls represent the state in the Sheffield Shield and the Ryobi One Day Cup, while the Brisbane Heat compete in the Big Bash League.
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27.
Queensland is home to the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League, and the Brisbane Roar FC in the A-League .
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28.
In netball the Queensland Firebirds went undefeated in the 2011 season as they went on to win the Grand Final.
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29.
Major recurring sporting events hosted in Queensland include: the Gold Coast 600, the Gold Coast Marathon, the NRL All Stars Game, the Townsville 400, the Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro and Australian PGA Championship .
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30.
The Queensland Government introduced the poll due to a proposal by state tourism ministers for all states to adopt a faunal emblem.
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31.
Queensland is served by a number of National Highways and, particularly in South East Queensland, a network of freeways such as the M1.
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32.
Freight rail services in Queensland have been provided mostly by Aurizon and Pacific National, with interstate intermodal services provided by Pacific National and SCT Logistics.
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33.
South East Queensland has an integrated public transport system operated by TransLink, which provides services bus, rail, light rail and Brisbane's ferry services through Queensland Rail and contracted operators.
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34.
Queensland Health operates and administers the state's public health system.
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