Omari Gates
Australia is a large country and continent known for its global isolation, low relief, and aridity. It is culturally diverse, highly developed, and has a strong and open economy. Australia has a country webpage that provides information on various topics such as travel and tourism, art, culture, geography, history, cities, and more. The website also offers resources and tips for travellers and covers important topics like visa and immigration requirements, biosecurity risks, and health and safety considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continent | Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Population | In 2021, the average age of the population was 39 years. Australia has five cities (including their suburbs) that have populations larger than one million people. |
| Geography | Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries. |
| Climate | Rainfall has increased in northern Australia since the 1970s. The number of tropical cyclones has decreased since 1982, and alpine snow has decreased since the late 1950s. Sea levels are rising, and the surrounding oceans are becoming more acidic. |
| Environment | Australia is free of the world's most serious pests and diseases. |
| Economy | Australia has a strong and open economy. Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Australia recorded 28 straight years of annual economic growth and was the world's 14th largest economy. |
| Politics | Australia has generally strong protections for civil and political rights, and the country has signed up to a wide range of international rights treaties. Important documents protecting human rights include the Constitution, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and the Age Discrimination Act 2004. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the nation since 2017. |
| Culture | Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world and is home to the world's oldest continuing culture. |
| Tourism | Australia is a popular tourist destination, offering incredible adventures for travellers of all abilities. |
| Official websites | Australia has official websites for tourism, visas, and immigration. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's unique geography and climate
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is the smallest continent in the world and the sixth-largest country. The geography of Australia is extremely diverse, with a wide variety of climates and landscapes. The country is surrounded by various ocean currents that influence its climate, ecosystems, and water quality.
The climate of Australia is the second driest of any continent, after Antarctica. The country experiences extensive droughts alongside considerable wet periods. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, varying between grasslands and deserts. The central and western plateau has a hot desert climate, while the east and southeast coasts have an oceanic climate. The southwest coast experiences a warm Mediterranean climate, and the areas in between have a hot semi-arid climate. The northern coast experiences a monsoon climate, with dry winters and wet summers. The southern regions have dry summers. The lower southwestern and eastern coastal plains and Tasmania have a predominantly temperate climate, with mild to warm summers and cold winters. The dense rainforests of the northeast contrast with the treeless, sun-baked plains of the inland.
Australia's unique location under a subtropical high-pressure belt and surrounded by climate drivers like El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole makes most of Western Australia a hot desert. The country's high fire risk and susceptibility to temperature and climate changes further impact its geography and climate. The Australian continent also experiences tropical cyclones, heat waves, bushfires, and frosts associated with the Southern Oscillation.
The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) classifies the country's landscapes into 89 geographically distinct bioregions and 419 subregions based on climate, geology, landform, native vegetation, and species information. Australia's territories include the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos Islands, Heard Island, the McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, the Coral Sea Islands, Ashmore Island, and Cartier Island.
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Australian culture and history
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, with a highly skilled workforce and a proud history of democracy and stable government. The country has signed up to a wide range of international rights treaties and has strong protections for civil and political rights. Important documents protecting human rights include the Constitution, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and the Age Discrimination Act 2004. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the nation since 2017.
Australian culture is primarily Western, with British, Indigenous, and migrant influences. The Indigenous population has lived on and managed the land for over 60,000 years, and evidence of Aboriginal art in Australia dates back at least 30,000 years. The British colonisation of Australia began in 1788, and waves of multi-ethnic migration, primarily Anglo-Celtic, followed shortly thereafter. Several states and territories were established as penal colonies, with this convict heritage influencing Australian music, cinema, and literature. Manifestations of British colonial heritage in Australia include the English language, Western Christianity, constitutional monarchy, and a Westminster-style parliamentary system.
Australian arts, including film, music, painting, theatre, dance, and crafts, have achieved international recognition. The arts practised by Indigenous Australians represent a unique cultural tradition, and the country's landscape and history have contributed to variations in the styles inherited by migrant communities. Notable Australian authors include Marcus Clarke, Charles Harpur, Henry Kendall, and Adam Lindsay Gordon.
Australia has a strong and open economy, recording 28 consecutive years of annual economic growth before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The country is also a leader in scientific research, with CSIRO, the national science agency, contributing 10% of all research output. Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, and environmental issues such as rising sea levels and the impact of climate change are important considerations.
Australian society is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, with an average age of 39 years in 2021. The country has a high tertiary graduation rate, with approximately 58% of Australians aged 25 to 64 holding vocational or tertiary qualifications. Australia also has a strong sporting culture, with games like cricket, rugby, and Australian Rules Football considered cultural traditions.
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Tourism in Australia
Australia is the 40th most visited country in the world, according to the World Tourism Organization. In the calendar year leading up to December 2019, there were 8.7 million international visitors to Australia. Popular destinations include the coastal capital cities of Sydney and Melbourne, as well as other coastal cities. The Blue Mountains in New South Wales and the hill and coast resorts close to Melbourne and other major Victorian cities are also among the most visited places in the country. The unique Australian wildlife and nature are also significant points of interest for tourists. The Australian outback, the Tasmanian wilderness, and the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) are some of the natural attractions that draw visitors to Australia.
Historically, tourism in Australia was mainly by rail or sea, with the Australian National Travel Association promoting the country vigorously through poster campaigns and Walkabout magazine from 1934 to 1974. After World War II, new transportation methods, rising living standards, and energetic advertising of foreign destinations contributed to a mass movement in international travel. The advent of the Jet Age in 1960 revolutionised air travel, making it more accessible, faster, safer, and cheaper. These developments, along with the establishment of the Australian Geographical Society and the Australian Tourist Commission, further bolstered tourism in Australia.
Today, Australia continues to be a sought-after tourist destination, known for its incredible adventures and diverse attractions. Visitors can explore Sydney, New South Wales, the Gold Coast, the Great Barrier Reef, and more. Australia's strong and open economy, multicultural society, and commitment to international peace and security make it an attractive and welcoming destination for travellers from around the world.
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Australian politics and international relations
Australia is a stable democracy with a strong economy and a highly skilled workforce. It is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, with a diverse population and a proud history of democracy and stable government. Australia has generally strong protections for civil and political rights and has signed up to a wide range of international rights treaties.
Australian foreign policy has historically been closely aligned with the United States, particularly during the Cold War, when Australia followed the US lead in the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars. The US-Australia alliance was formalised in the 1951 Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Pact. Australia did not recognise the People's Republic of China until 1972-73.
In recent years, Australia has devoted particular attention to promoting regional cooperation and dialogue in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Australia is an active participant in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN-sponsored East Asia Summit. Australia has also established a strong and broad-ranging security relationship with Japan under the 2022 Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.
In 2023, Australia reached an agreement with the UK and the US to import nuclear-powered submarines. Australia is also a significant provider of international aid in the Pacific region, disbursing A$17 billion in international aid between 2008 and 2021. Australia has established diplomatic relations with all members of the United Nations, as well as several other countries and organisations.
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The Australian economy and workforce
Australia is a highly developed country with a strong and open mixed economy. In 2023, it was the 14th-largest national economy by nominal GDP (gross domestic product), the 19th-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP, and was the 21st-largest goods exporter and 24th-largest goods importer. Australia has a proud history of democracy and a highly skilled workforce. About 58% of Australians aged from 25 to 64 have vocational or tertiary qualifications, and the tertiary graduation rate of 49% is the highest among OECD countries.
Australia has a state-based system of vocational training, known as TAFE, and many trades conduct apprenticeships for training new tradespeople. The country also has a strong scientific community, with CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, contributing 10% of all research in the country. As of 2024, 13 Australian scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics, chemistry or medicine, and two have been awarded the Fields Medal.
The Australian economy is dominated by its service sector, which in 2017 comprised 62.7% of the GDP and employed 78.8% of the labour force. The country has plentiful supplies of natural resources, including the second-largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth-largest reserves of coal, and significant gas resources. Commodities have long made up a sizeable share of exports. The Australian Securities Exchange in Sydney is the 16th-largest stock exchange in the world in terms of domestic market capitalisation.
Australia's average GDP growth rate for the period 1901–2000 was 3.4% annually. The country experienced 28 straight years of annual economic growth before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Australia is one of the three OECD countries that did not experience two consecutive negative quarters of growth and one of the two that avoided negative year-end GDP growth during the 2008-2009 global recession. The country's economy is strongly intertwined with the countries of East and Southeast Asia, also known as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), accounting for about 64% of exports in 2016.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia has an official country webpage that provides information on visas, immigration requirements, and biosecurity risks. The webpage also offers travel tips and resources for visitors interested in exploring the country's incredible adventures.
The URL of Australia's official country webpage is www.dfat.gov.au/about-australia.
Australia's official country webpage offers a wealth of information, including details on the country's history, culture, geography, tourism, cities, and capital. It also provides links to official websites related to embassies, tourist boards, and other relevant topics.
The webpage serves as a comprehensive resource for both international visitors seeking travel information and those interested in learning more about Australia's culture, society, and government initiatives.
Yes, there are several other websites related to Australia that you can explore. For tourism-specific information, you can visit www.australia.com. Additionally, websites like Nations Online Project offer country profiles that include links to official websites covering various aspects of Australia.
