Lexi Webster
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population. The country's interior is largely desert, with low rainfall and extreme temperatures. The majority of Australians live in two core regions: a small area in the west, anchored by Perth, and a larger area in the east along the coast. The term Central Australia is used to describe a vaguely defined region associated with the geographic centre of the country, including the town of Alice Springs and its surrounds. This region has a population of around 41,000 people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 26 million people, ranking 55th in the world |
| Land Area | 6th largest in the world |
| Population Density | Least population per area |
| Core Regions | 2: a small region in the west anchored by Perth, and a large region in the east along the coast |
| Climate | Type C |
| Soil Suitable for Farming | 6.5% |
| Dangerous Animals | Many |
| Distance from Traditional Allies | 12,000 miles from Great Britain |
| Proximity to Markets | Close to huge potential markets in Asia |
| Cultural Diversity | High |
| Core Population Areas | Areas with moderate Type C climates |
| Central Australia Population | 41,000, including Alice Springs (population 28,000) |
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What You'll Learn
Population density
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population. It is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It is nearly as large as the entire continent of Europe and is larger than the continental United States. With a population of around 26 million people, Australia is among the countries with the least population per area. It is ranked 55th for the highest population globally, while it has the 6th largest land area.
The population of Australia is not evenly distributed, with most people living in the core regions of the country. Australia has two core regions with Type C climates, where most of the population is concentrated. The first is a small core region in the west, anchored by the city of Perth. The second is a large core region in the east along the coast, which includes the more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the capital, Canberra.
The interior of Australia, also known as the Outback, is sparsely populated. The dryness of the country ensures that 85% of the population lives within 30 miles of the coast, with 80% living along the eastern side, where rainfall is more common. The Outback makes up a large periphery around the core regions and has large amounts of mineral and agricultural resources. It includes several deserts, such as the Gibson Desert, the Great Victoria Desert, and the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia, and the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia.
Despite the arid conditions, only 20% of Australia is considered uninhabitable desert, and 40% is considered uninhabitable by human standards overall. The region has a desert environment, receiving on average just 150 millimetres (6 inches) of rainfall annually, mostly during extreme rainfall events in the summer months. The Outback includes the town of Alice Springs, which has a population of 28,000 and services a region with a total population of 41,000. Other small towns in Central Australia include Finke and Cunnamulla.
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Climate
Central Australia is a semi-arid region, with blue skies and warm weather all year round, as well as low rainfall. The region experiences long hours of sunshine (around nine hours), hot summers, and short, sunny winters with frosty mornings.
During the summer months of December to February, average temperatures range from 20°C to 35°C, and can even exceed 40°C or 45°C. In the Northern Territory, summer is referred to as the "wet season", particularly along the coast where storms and rainfall are more common.
Autumn (March to May) is considered one of the best times to visit Central Australia, with warm days and cool nights. Average temperatures range from 12°C to 27°C.
Winter (June to August) in Central Australia is still a popular time for tourism, as people from other parts of the country escape their colder winters. Average temperatures during this time range from 4.8°C to 20°C, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing overnight.
Spring (September to November) sees the weather warming up again, with average temperatures between 13.8°C and 30.6°C. This season also brings thunderstorms and wildflowers, following the rain.
The Northern Territory covers two distinct climate areas due to its large north-to-south stretch of approximately 1,600km. The Top End, including Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, and Arnhem Land, has a tropical climate with two seasons: the Dry and the Wet. The Red Centre, including Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and the Uluru region, has a semi-arid climate with four seasons.
The dryness of Australia means that 85% of the population lives within 30 miles of the coast, and 80% live along the eastern side, where rainfall is more common. The interior outback of Australia lacks precipitation and has numerous deserts, making it a sparsely populated area.
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Geography
Australia is a large country with a relatively small population. It is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It is slightly smaller in physical area than the continental United States, and almost as large as Europe. It has a population of around 26 million people, but it is among the countries with the least population per area. It is ranked 55th for the highest population globally, while it has the 6th largest land area.
The country is divided politically into six states and two territories: the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Australian core areas are conducive to large human populations. The core areas have a dominant Type C climate, and humans tend to gravitate towards this climate. There are two core regions: a small core region in the west, anchored by the city of Perth, and a large core region in the east along the coast, where most people live. The sparsely populated outback makes up the periphery, with large amounts of mineral and agricultural resources.
Central Australia, also known as the Red Centre, is an inexactly defined region associated with the geographic centre of the country. In its narrowest sense, it refers to the town of Alice Springs and its immediate surroundings, including the MacDonnell Ranges. In a broader sense, it can refer to any region up to 600 km from Alice Springs or, more generally, any undeveloped region in inland Australia (the Outback). The region has a desert environment, with very little rainfall. Most of the annual rainfall occurs during extreme rainfall events in the summer months, with dry winters and hot, long summers.
The dryness of Australia means that 85% of the population lives within 30 miles of the coast, particularly on the eastern side, where rainfall is more common. While there is an overall lack of rainfall, only 20% of Australia is an uninhabitable desert, and 40% is considered uninhabitable by human standards. The Outback is home to large livestock businesses, with massive herds of cattle and sheep, as well as wild camels. The Great Artesian Basin on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range would be classified as a desert if not for its underground water resources, which support extensive farming operations.
Historically, Australia was inhabited by Aboriginal people before being colonized by the British, who first established prison colonies for convicts from Great Britain. Today, most of the population is from the British Isles and Europe, with a slow migration process due to the long distance and high costs of travelling to Australia from Europe.
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History
Australia is a relatively flat continent with low elevation highlands, including the Great Dividing Range along its eastern coast. The interior outback lacks precipitation and is home to numerous deserts. The core areas of Australia have a dominant Type C climate, and humans tend to gravitate towards these areas. The two core regions of Australia are a small core in the west, anchored by Perth, and a large core region in the east along the coast.
Aboriginal people were in Australia for 40,000 years before the British colonized it by creating prison colonies for convicts from Great Britain. British colonial activity increased in the late 1700s, and today, most of the 22 million people in Australia are from the British Isles and Europe. The Aboriginal people were largely nomadic hunters and gatherers, and they had established robust, semi-permanent settlements in well-favoured localities.
Central Australia, or the Red Centre, is an inexactly defined region associated with the geographic centre of Australia. In its narrowest sense, it refers to the town of Alice Springs and its immediate surroundings, including the MacDonnell Ranges. In a broader sense, it can refer to any region in inland Australia that has remained relatively undeveloped, often synonymous with the term Outback. The region has a desert environment, receiving just 150 millimetres of rainfall annually, and extreme rainfall events usually occur in the summer months.
The Outback makes up the periphery of Australia and has large amounts of mineral and agricultural resources. The deserts of Australia's interior make up a large portion of the continent, with Western Australia home to the Gibson, Great Victoria, and Great Sandy Deserts, and the Simpson Desert located in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia. The Great Artesian Basin, on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range, receives very little rainfall but supports extensive farming operations due to its underground water resources.
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Agriculture
The suitability of land for farming in Australia is limited by its arid climate, with only 6.5% of the land having suitable soil. The country experiences variable rainfall, with many regions receiving less than the 20 inches of annual rainfall typically needed for irrigation-free farming. The east coast of Australia is suitable for growing sugarcane, while the cooler southern parts are suited to growing wheat. Irrigation has allowed for the cultivation of drier lands, especially for growing fruit, but this has led to salinization issues in some areas, such as near the mouth of the Murray River.
The three main agricultural zones in Australia are: the high rainfall zone of Tasmania and a narrow coastal zone used for dairying and beef production; the wheat and sheep zone for cropping and grazing; and the grazing zone for sheep farming. Livestock grazing is widespread and occurs in most areas of Australia, while cropping and horticulture are generally concentrated in areas close to the coast.
Australia is a major exporter of agricultural products, with 70% of its produce exported overseas. In 2018, Australia was the world's largest producer of lupin beans and the second-largest producer of chickpeas. It also ranked fourth in barley and oats production, fifth in rapeseed, and ninth in sugarcane and wheat. Other notable agricultural exports include meat, cotton, rice, honey, and flowers.
The agricultural sector in Australia faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to supply chain issues and restrictions on imports by China, one of its largest export markets. The industry is also impacted by climate change, with inland agricultural zones facing higher drought risk and price variability.
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Frequently asked questions
Central Australia, also known as the Outback, is a relatively undeveloped region with a desert environment. Only 20% of Australia is considered uninhabitable desert, and the Outback makes up a large part of the continent. The region has an estimated population of 41,000 people, with the town of Alice Springs accounting for 28,000 of those.
Australia is a large country with a small population relative to its size. It is ranked 55th for the highest population globally but has the 6th largest land area. The middle of Australia is dry, with 85% of the country's population living within 30 miles of the coast. The slow migration process is also a factor, as Australia is very far from other continents, making it a less attractive option for migrants.
Life in the Outback can be challenging due to the extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and isolation. The region has a unique culture, with a mix of Aboriginal, British, and European influences. The people are described as "rough but friendly."
The Outback offers unique attractions, such as the Henley on Todd Regatta, the only dry river regatta in the world. It also has a rich history and culture, with Aboriginal people living in the region for over 40,000 years. The natural environment, including the unique flora and fauna, is also a significant attraction for tourists.
