Western Australia has the largest land mass of all the States in Australia. As much of the land is very old, the majority of the soils are very infertile, with the exceptions of the southern grape growing areas. This said, the area is rich in minerals, precious stones and metals as well as oil, making it the highest producer, per capita, in the country.
Original settlement was to the south in Albany with a colony later forming on the Swan river, which is now the city of Perth, the States capital. The wines of the Margaret river area are world renowned and a major export for the region. The southern area was also instrumental in the first world war as the mustering point for the ANZAC soldiers that went off to fight the battles at Gallipoli.
For more information about Western Australia visit the State Government website.