Lexi Webster
Australia and the USA are two of the largest countries in the world, with Australia being the sixth-largest country and the USA being the third-largest. The USA is around 27% larger than Australia, with a land area of 9.8 million square kilometres compared to Australia's 7.7 million square kilometres. This equates to around 2.99 million square miles for Australia and 3.8 million square miles for the USA. In terms of population, the USA has a significantly larger population, with 311.2 million more people living there than in Australia. Australia's population density is much lower, giving a sense of tranquility and space, while the USA has vibrant, busy cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land Area | Australia is approximately 7.69 million square kilometers, while the contiguous US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) is around 8.08 million square kilometers. The US is slightly larger, but the difference is relatively small compared to Australia's size. |
| Population | As of 2023, the population of the continental US is estimated to be over 333 million people. In contrast, Australia's population is roughly 26 million. The US has a significantly higher population density. |
| Population Density | The population density of the US is approximately 36 people per square kilometer. Australia has a much lower density of 3.4 people per square kilometer, making it one of the least densely populated countries. |
| Number of States/Territories | The continental US comprises 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Australia is comprised of six states and ten territories. |
| Coastline Length | The US has a coastline of roughly 19,924 kilometers. In comparison, Australia boasts an impressive coastline of approximately 35,877 kilometers, including its islands. |
| Highest Point | The highest point in the continental US is Mount Whitney, located in California, with an elevation of 4,418 meters. Australia's highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko, situated in New South Wales, reaching 2,228 meters. |
| Time Zones | Both Australia and the US span multiple time zones. The US uses nine time zones, including those in non-contiguous states, while Australia utilizes three standard time zones. |
| Climate | The US experiences a wide range of climates due to its varied geography, from tropical in Florida to temperate in the Pacific Northwest and a continental climate in the central regions. Australia is mostly arid or semi-arid, with a tropical climate in the north and temperate climate in the south. |
| Natural Resources | Both countries are endowed with abundant natural resources. The US has vast forests, coal, copper, and uranium reserves. Australia is known for its rich deposits of iron ore, coal, natural gas, and various minerals. |
| Agriculture | The US has a highly productive agricultural sector, known for crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, as well as livestock farming. Australia also has a strong agricultural industry, focusing on wheat, beef, dairy, and wool production. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country
To put this into perspective, travelling from Sydney to Perth in Australia (East Coast to West Coast) is roughly the same distance as travelling from New York to Los Angeles in the US. Despite being slightly smaller than the continental US in terms of land area, Australia has a significantly lower population density, with around 26 million people spread across its vast landscape. This is in stark contrast to the US, which has a population of over 311 million people, with vibrant, busy cities and diverse landscapes, ranging from vast plains to towering mountain ranges.
Australia's unique charm lies in its tranquil and spacious environment, with its famous outback and picturesque coastlines. Its expansive wilderness areas are renowned for their biodiversity, but they also face critical challenges. For example, protecting endangered species, such as the koala, is a major environmental concern. The country also deals with issues like droughts and bushfires, which have severe impacts on its land and wildlife.
Despite being slightly smaller in landmass, Australia has a comparable sense of vastness to the continental US due to its lower population density and unique natural landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef. In summary, while both countries are among the largest in the world, their landscapes, ecosystems, and lifestyles differ significantly, offering distinct experiences to visitors and residents alike.
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The US is 27% larger than Australia
The land area of the continental United States, including the adjacent islands, is about 2.97 million square miles, while Australia's land area is approximately 2.7 million square miles. This means that the United States is roughly 27% larger than Australia. To put this into perspective, if we consider the size of the Australian continent in comparison to the lower 48 states of the US, it would fit inside this area with room to spare.
The difference in size becomes evident when we look at the individual states. For instance, the state of Alaska in the US, at 665,384 square miles, is already larger than the entire country of Australia. Texas, known for its vast expanse, covers 268,596 square miles, making it significantly bigger than the island of Tasmania (26,178 square miles) and comparable in size to the Australian state of Queensland (694,218 square miles).
Comparing population density also highlights the contrast in size. The US has a population of over 331 million people, with a population density of about 92 people per square mile. In contrast, Australia's population is around 26 million, resulting in a much lower population density of approximately 8 people per square mile. This indicates that despite Australia's sizeable land mass, a substantial portion of it is uninhabited or very sparsely populated.
The geographical features of the two countries also differ. The US boasts a diverse landscape, from the dense forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest to the desert regions of the Southwest and the vast central plains. Australia, meanwhile, is known for its arid and semi-arid regions, with large areas of the country receiving low rainfall. Both countries have extensive coastlines, but Australia's coastline is significantly longer, reflecting its status as the world's largest island.
In conclusion, while both the US and Australia are vast countries with substantial land areas, the United States is notably larger, approximately 27% bigger than its Australian counterpart. This size difference influences the population density, geography, and overall character of the two nations, contributing to the unique characteristics that define them.
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The US has a population of 311.2 million
Australia and the United States are two of the largest countries in the world, but the US is around 27% larger in terms of land area. Australia has a land area of 2.989 million square miles, while the US spans 3.797 million square miles. To put this into perspective, travelling from Sydney to Perth in Australia is about the same distance as travelling from New York to Los Angeles in the US. Despite its smaller size, Australia has a similar population to the US, with around 311.2 million people living in the US and approximately 26 million in Australia. This means that Australia has a lower population density, offering a sense of tranquility and space.
The US, as the world's third-largest country, presents a diverse range of geographical features, from towering mountain ranges to vast plains and over 250,000 rivers. It experiences a broad range of climates, from tropical to arctic. In contrast, Australia, the world's sixth-largest country, is celebrated for its sprawling outback and picturesque coastlines, with 439 named rivers. Australia's climate varies from tropical to arid and temperate, and it is known for its unique wildlife and natural landmarks, such as the Great Barrier Reef.
The US is home to over 5,300 universities, including the world-renowned Harvard University. In comparison, Australia has 43 universities, with the Australian National University ranking as one of the top institutions in the country. The population density contrast between the two nations underscores their varied lifestyles and environments, with the US offering vibrant, busy cities and Australia providing calm, open spaces.
The environmental responsibilities of the US and Australia are shaped by their respective landscapes and ecosystems. Australia faces critical challenges in protecting its expansive wilderness areas and addressing issues such as droughts and bushfires, which severely impact the land and its wildlife, including endangered species like the koala. Both countries, despite their differences in size and population, present unique charms and captivating allure to those who call them home or visit their vast landscapes.
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Australia has 439 named rivers
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, with a land area of 2.989 million square miles, which is about the same size as the continental United States. Despite being the smallest continental land mass, it is the world's largest island.
The Murray River forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria, though it is not Victoria's longest river. It is a vital water source for agriculture and supports diverse wildlife, including over 350 bird species, and various mammal, reptile, and fish species. The river also holds significant cultural importance for Indigenous Australians, featuring in many creation stories and traditional practices, and offering recreational activities like boating and fishing.
Other notable rivers in Australia include the Murrumbidgee River, a major tributary of the Murray River, which provides essential water supply and agricultural support to the region, and is of international importance for bird species. The Lachlan River in New South Wales is known for its historical significance and role in agriculture, and the Diamantina River, which cuts through remote arid and semi-arid environments in Queensland, flowing 941 kilometres before joining with Eyre Creek to become the Warburton River.
These rivers highlight the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of Australia's vast river systems, which have shaped the country's natural environment and communities.
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The US has a broader climate range
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, accounting for just five percent of the world's land area. It is about the same size as continental USA. However, the US has a broader climate range.
The US has a diverse climate due to variations in latitude and geographic features like mountains and deserts. The climate generally becomes warmer as you travel south and drier as you move west, until you reach the West Coast. The interior upper western states, from Idaho to the Dakotas, have a cold semi-arid climate, while the southwestern US experiences warm to hot desert and semi-arid climates. In contrast, the northern areas, including the Northern Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, and New England, have a humid continental climate. The Southern Plains and lower Midwest transition into a humid temperate climate, while a humid subtropical climate is found along and south of a line extending westward from the Virginia-Maryland capes to northern Oklahoma.
The US also encompasses a range of climate zones, from the subarctic conditions in Alaska to the alpine climate of the Rocky Mountains and the Mediterranean climate along the California coast. The Gulf Coast and South Atlantic coastal regions experience wet summers and are susceptible to tropical weather systems, while the Sonoran Desert in the Southwest is one of the driest regions in the country.
In comparison, Australia's climate is influenced by its size and location. As a medium-sized continent separated from the polar regions by the Southern Ocean, Australia experiences relatively mild winters without the frigid polar air masses that affect northern continents during their winters. The northern part of Australia has a tropical climate, varying between grasslands and desert, while the rest of the territory is arid or semi-arid desert, including Alice Springs and Uluru. The southeast and southwest corners of Australia have a temperate climate, and the country's winter is generally milder than that of the northern continents.
While both countries experience a range of climates, the US has a broader spectrum, encompassing subarctic, alpine, Mediterranean, humid subtropical, humid continental, and desert climates, influenced by the diverse geographic features within its borders.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, while the continental United States is approximately 9,833,517 sq km. This makes the United States 27% larger or around 1.28 times larger than Australia.
Australia has a population of around 26 million, while the United States has a population of around 337.3 million. This means that the United States has a population that is more than twelve times that of Australia.
The United States is known for its diverse geography, including vast plains and towering mountain ranges. It has over 250,000 rivers, with the Missouri River being the longest at 3,768 kilometres. In contrast, Australia has 439 named rivers, with the Murray River being the longest at 2,375 kilometres. Australia is renowned for its unique wildlife and natural landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef, while the United States boasts geographical features such as the Grand Canyon and the Great Lakes.
