The Economy Of South Australia
The economy of South Australia is extremely diverse, though it is largely broken down into three main areas of mineral resources, ship handling and porting, and tourism. These economies are largely concentrated in the larger cities of South Australia, specifically Sydney. However, Sydney is not the sole driver of the South Australian economy, and the nature of mining and tourism means that the economy is dependent on a wide area and a network of railroads and highways.
The most famous section of South Australia's economy is it's tourism. In addition to attractions like the Sydney Opera House, South Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, which is the world's largest coral reef and home to thousands of species of animals found nowhere else in the world. Much of the nature tourism in South Australia revolves around the native species of Australia, which include such unique species as koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. As such, the federal government has gone to great lengths to protect the environment, something which comes into conflict with the harvesting of Australia's mineral wealth.
Southern Australia is home to extensive mineral deposits. Metals such as iron and nickel are abundant in South Australia ore, and much of this ore is mined, refined, and then brought to Sydney and other ports for the purpose of shipping. The primary purchaser of Australian minerals is China, although many other Asian nations also purchase Australian metals. The mineral economy of Australia is dependent on foreign prices to be profitable, and as it is not sustainable the state is looking to expand away from it, though it currently remains a powerful economic resource.
Shipping is another major point of South Australia's economy. Australia is home to the only major ports for thousands of miles in any direction. As such, many ships stop in Southern Australia in order to refuel, or to use Australian warehouses. South Australia's shipping economy is largely to perform as a way point for ships traveling elsewhere, although it is also a starting point for the vast mineral wealth which is shipped out of the area.