Queensland is located in the north – eastern end of the Australian continent. While Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, Queensland is the second largest. It is also the third most populous state in Australia, following New South Wales and Victoria. Warm weather dominates majority of the state, as the state largely lies in the tropics. Hence, Queensland enjoys the nickname, ‘Sunshine State’. Brisbane, the capital and most populous city in the state lies north of the border of New South Wales, on the coast.
The Northern Territory is located to the west, while South Australia is situated to the south-west of the state. The state of New South Wales can be found to the south of the state. The Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean border Queensland on the east. The state boasts of several places with natural scenic beauty, which includes the sunny beaches of the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. There are six world Heritage - listed areas within the state. It includes the Great Barrier Reef, Australian Fossil Mammal Sites at Riversleigh in the Gulf Country, Fraser Island, Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Lamington National Park. The mountainous regions of the Great Dividing Range and the Bunya Mountains are popular tourist attractions. There are numerous waterfalls, lookouts and picnic areas in this region.
The state primarily experiences two weather seasons. The winter season is characterised by warm temperatures along with minimal rainfall, while the summer season is characterised by hot weather with better rainfall. Queensland experiences hot summers and low rainfall in the western parts. While a monsoonal 'wet' season dominates the northern part, a warm temperate climate is experienced along the coast. The state has low minimum temperatures in the central and southern parts. The ocean moderates the weather on the coast, eliminating extreme cold or hot weather conditions.
Over the past twenty years, the state has experienced a surge in the tourism and mining industries. The Gross State Product of Queensland had increased phenomenally and outperformed the other states and territories, in the decade - 1992 and 2002. The rapid economic growth may be attributed to the entry of several migrants from overseas as well as other states, increase in mining of mineral deposits, rapidly growing aerospace sector and increase in investment by the federal government. The primary crops grown in the state include pineapples, bananas and peanuts. A wide variety of temperate and tropical fruits and vegetables are also grown in the state of Queensland.
The tourism industry is a leading tertiary industry, accounting for 4.5% of the Gross State Product. On an annual basis, the industry generates $4.0 billion, due to millions of tourists who flock to the state to enjoy the sunny weather. Queensland boasts of a variety of landscapes including lush rainforests, sunny tropical coastal areas and dry inland areas. The Gold Coast of Queensland, which has five major amusement parks, is also referred to as ‘Australia's Theme Park Capital’. It includes Movie World, Dreamworld, Wet 'n' Wild, Sea World, and WhiteWater World. Whitsunday Islands, Carnarvon Gorge and Hinchinbrook Island offer picturesque sights in the mountainous regions of the state.