Gladstone is an industrial port city located on the coast of Queensland, Australia. The city's population stands at 29,288 (2006 estimate), of whom 3.5 percent are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, with the remainder being of primarily European descent. In addition, there is/was a significant American population that resided in Gladstone who were associated with designing and coordination of several industrial plants in the area. An additional 17,039 (2006 estimate) persons live in the adjoining Calliope Shire. Being a port city, its local commerce is primarily industrial-based and include large-scale industrial plants include alumina refineries, aluminium smelting, heavy chemicals and shale oil. The Port of Gladstone is the largest multi purpose port in Queensland.
