British colonization of Australia beginning in 1788 had a significant impact on establishing the English language and spread of Christianity in Australia. England established a penal colony in New South Wales and transported over 170,000 convicts to Australia between 1788 and 1823, spreading the English language. Additional British settlers during gold rushes in the mid-1800s further increased the English-speaking population. While some non-English immigrants arrived later, English remains the dominant language today. Christianity was also introduced by early European settlers, with Irish convicts bringing Catholicism and others bringing Protestant denominations like Anglican, Methodist and Baptist traditions. Most Australians are now Christian, with Catholicism and Anglicanism the largest groups.