
Australia is huge. In terms of land area, it's about the same size as the contiguous United States, though the US is slightly larger. Australia covers an area of approximately 7.6 million square kilometres (2.98 million square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. To put it into perspective, driving from Perth to Sydney takes 41 hours and is a distance of 3930 kilometres or 2442 miles. That's the same distance as driving from London to Moscow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) or 7.6 million sq km |
| World ranking | Sixth-largest country |
| Oceania ranking | Largest country |
| Population | 28 million |
| Sydney to Perth distance | 3930 km or 2442 miles |
| Sydney to Broome distance | Equivalent to England to Turkey |
| Sydney to Perth distance | Equivalent to New York to Los Angeles |
| Sydney to Perth distance | 41 hours |
| Sydney to Broome distance | Equivalent to Perth to Sydney |
| Sydney to Perth distance | Equivalent to Spain to Syria |
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What You'll Learn

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a large country, so large that it is technically its own continent. With a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), it is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. The country comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
The size of Australia gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including interior deserts and tropical rainforests along the coast. The country is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef system on Earth, which is made up of about 3,000 individual reefs.
The human history of Australia is a long and complex one. Aboriginal Australians, the Indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and its islands, have lived in the region for at least 50,000 to 65,000 years, with human habitation estimated to have begun during the last glacial period. At the time of first European contact, Aboriginal Australians belonged to a wide range of diverse societies and economies spread across the land.
The written history of Australia began with Dutch exploration and mapping of the continent in the 17th century, during which the continent was named New Holland. The name Australia was later popularised by the explorer Matthew Flinders, who circumnavigated the continent in 1803. The country became part of the British Empire and was known for becoming the home of over 150,000 convicts. Today, Australia has a population of almost 28 million people and is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and ten territories.
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The country covers 7,688,287 km2 or 2,968,464 sq mi
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a megadiverse country with a total area of 7,688,287 km2 or 2,968,464 sq mi. This makes it the sixth-largest country in the world, following Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil. In terms of land area, Australia is closest in size to the contiguous United States, though the US is slightly bigger.
Australia is the smallest continental land mass, but it is the largest island in the world. It makes up around 5% of the world's land area, with landscapes ranging from deserts in the interior to tropical rainforests along the coast. The country is highly urbanised, with a population of almost 28 million people.
The length of Australia's coastline is approximately 37,000 kilometres, providing endless opportunities for exploration. From the rugged cliffs of Western Australia's Great Australian Bight to the pristine beaches of Queensland's Gold Coast, each stretch of Australia's coastline has its own unique charm. The country also boasts iconic landmarks situated by the sea, such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Australian continent, also known as Sahul, Australia-New Guinea, Australinea, or Meganesia, includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and most of the Coral Sea Islands, among other nearby islands. It is the smallest, lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent on Earth.
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It's about the same size as continental USA
Australia is huge. In terms of land area, it is closest in size to the contiguous United States, though the US is slightly larger. Australia covers an area of approximately 7.6 million square kilometres (2.989 million square miles), while the contiguous US covers 3.797 million square miles.
To put it into perspective, travelling from Sydney to Perth in Australia (East Coast to West Coast) is about the same as travelling from New York to Los Angeles in the US. Another way to visualise the size of Australia is to overlay it with the US on a map. The two countries' main landmasses are comparable in size.
Australia is the smallest of the seven traditional continents. It is the smallest continental land mass and the world's largest island. It is highly urbanised, with around 28 million people, a number comparable to the population of the US state of Texas.
The continent of Australia includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea), the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other nearby islands.
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Sydney to Perth is like New York to LA
Australia is a large country, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world. To put its size into perspective, a trip from Sydney to Perth on the country's east to west coasts is comparable in distance to a trip from New York to Los Angeles.
The distance from Sydney to Perth is about 3,290 kilometres (2,043 miles) and takes about 4 hours and 22 minutes by plane. This distance is similar to the air travel distance from New York to Los Angeles, which is about 3,944 kilometres (2,451 miles) and takes about 4 hours and 38 minutes by plane.
Sydney and New York are both highly urbanised cities with populations of over 5 million people. They are also both located on the east coast of their respective countries. Perth and Los Angeles, on the other hand, are both located on the west coast and are known for their more relaxed lifestyles and proximity to beautiful natural landscapes.
So, if you're planning a trip to Australia and want to visit both the east and west coasts, be prepared for a journey that's comparable to travelling across the continental United States. The vast distances between these two Australian cities highlight the country's sheer size and the need for careful trip planning, especially when it comes to transportation and accommodation options.
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Perth to Sydney is 3930 km or 2442 miles
Australia is a large country, covering a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world. In terms of land area, it is closest in size to the contiguous United States, though the US is slightly bigger.
To put the size of Australia into perspective, the distance from Perth to Sydney is 3930 kilometres or 2442 miles. This is roughly the same distance as travelling from Spain to Syria, or from New York to Los Angeles. This vast distance highlights the sheer size of Australia, which is further emphasised by its low population density. With a population of almost 28 million, Australia is significantly less populated than the US, which has a similar land area but a population of over 330 million.
The large distances between major cities in Australia, such as Perth and Sydney, can make travel and transportation a challenge. The trip from Perth to Sydney, for example, takes approximately 41 hours by car. This is comparable to the driving time from London to Moscow, which takes 31 hours to cover a distance of 2876 kilometres or 1787 miles.
The vast distances within Australia also impact travel planning. Visitors to Australia need to be mindful of travel times and connections, especially when it comes to less frequent services such as once-a-day ferries or flights. Careful trip planning is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation in this large and diverse country.
In summary, the distance from Perth to Sydney, approximately 3930 kilometres or 2442 miles, underscores the sheer size of Australia, which is the sixth-largest country in the world. This vast distance highlights the challenges of transportation and travel planning in a country with a large land area and a relatively small population.
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Frequently asked questions
From Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west coast is about 3930 kilometres or 2442 miles. This is roughly the same distance as travelling from New York to Los Angeles.
Australia is about 3200 kilometres from north to south.
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil. It is slightly smaller than the contiguous United States, and about 32% smaller than Europe.















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