Leslie Massey
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a megadiverse country with a land area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It is the world's smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by land area. Australia is also the world's driest and flattest inhabited continent, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts and tropical rainforests. The country comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. Australia has a low population density, with most people heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) |
| World ranking | Sixth-largest country |
| Oceania ranking | Largest country |
| Population density | 3.4 persons per square kilometre |
| Continent ranking | Smallest continent |
| Island ranking | Largest island |
| Coastline | 35,877 km (22,293 mi) |
| Forest cover | 17% of land area |
| Average height | 325 metres (1,066 ft) |
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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 megadiverse country that is the sixth-largest in the world by land area. It has a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), constituting about five per cent of the world's land area. Australia is the smallest of the seven continents, comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often dubbed the "island continent".
The Australian landscape is characterised by its global isolation, low relief, and aridity. Most of the country is arid or semi-arid, with deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. The Australian mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 feet) compared to 870 metres (2,850 feet) for all continents.
Australia has a long and fascinating history, with the first Aboriginal explorers arriving from Asia between 50,000 and 65,000 years ago. By the time of British settlement, Aboriginal Australians spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures on Earth. The first European exploration of Australia occurred in the 17th century when the Dutch explored most of the coastline. In 1788, when Captain Arthur Phillip of the British Royal Navy landed with the First Fleet at Botany Bay, there were an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 Aboriginals in Australia, who had already established robust, semi-permanent settlements.
Today, Australia is a highly urbanised country, with about 67% of its population living in metropolitan areas in 2018. It has a low population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries. Australia's vast land area and diverse landscapes offer a unique opportunity for exploration and discovery, contributing to its reputation as a captivating and intriguing country.
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It accounts for 5% of the world's land area
Australia is an extensive country, and its land area is no small matter. The continent-country takes up a significant portion of the Earth's landmass, accounting for approximately 5% of the world's total land area. To put that into perspective, Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world in terms of land area, and this 5% equates to nearly 7.7 million square kilometers. This makes Australia almost as large as the United States of America, which has a land area of about 9.2 million square kilometers.
Now, this 5% figure is interesting because it highlights just how vast Australia is. The continent is not only a country but also a massive landmass surrounded by oceans, which naturally contributes to its size. Australia is so large that it has a varied and diverse range of landscapes, from tropical rainforests in the north to snowy mountains in the south. The land supports an array of ecosystems and habitats, from the unique and iconic Outback, with its red desert sands and unique rock formations, to the lush, green rainforests of Queensland.
The size of the country also means that it has a varied climate, with tropical weather in the north and a more temperate climate in the south. This diversity in climate and geography has allowed for a wide range of flora and fauna to flourish, much of which is unique to Australia, such as the kangaroo, koala, and the now-extinct Tasmanian tiger. The land also boasts some of the world's most famous natural landmarks, including Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest.
This large land area has also played a significant role in Australia's history and culture. The Indigenous Australians, the original inhabitants of the land, have a deep connection to the country's landscape, with a rich cultural heritage that has endured for over 60,000 years. The size of the country also played a part in its colonization and later development, with the continent's vast resources and land attracting settlers from Europe. The country's geography has also influenced its modern culture, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities and a unique, laid-back lifestyle that has become synonymous with Australia.
So, while Australia may account for just 5% of the world's land area, it is a significant portion that has helped shape the country's natural environment, history, and culture, contributing to its unique character and global appeal. This vast landmass has allowed for the development of a country that is not only large in size but also in its offerings, with a diverse range of natural wonders, ecosystems, and cultural experiences that attract visitors from all over the world.
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Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by land area, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It is also the smallest continental land mass, or the world's largest island, depending on the source. Australia is comprised of the Australian mainland, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
Australia is known for its global isolation, low relief, and aridity. It is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent. The Australian mainland has an average height of 325 metres (1,066 ft) compared to 870 metres (2,850 ft) for all continents. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. The Great Dividing Range refers to the long mountain range that begins near the east coast and stretches from the northern part of Queensland through Victoria and New South Wales. The Australian continent is also one of the oldest land masses, with some of its erosion-exposed bedrock dated at more than 3 billion years.
The climate in Australia is influenced by its land size and the sinking hot air of the subtropical high-pressure belt, which moves south and north in tandem with the seasons. The climate varies widely, with droughts lasting several months, thought to be caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillation. The wide variation in climatic conditions is partly due to the geographical size of the continent, and a significant portion of the continent is either semi-arid or desert. Australia has the highest percentage of dry climates across its land mass. About 50% of the continent's land mass receives 11.8 inches or less per year, while 80% receive 23.6 inches or less per year. The continent also has an incredibly high evaporation rate, with over 75% of the land mass experiencing a potential evaporation rate higher than 98.4 inches per year. Some areas in central Australia experience potential evaporation of about 177.2 inches per year, which is roughly 20 times greater than the annual rainfall.
Australia is highly urbanised, with 67% of the population living in Greater Capital City Statistical Areas in 2018. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. Australia has a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre of total land area, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
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Australia has a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre
Australia is a large country, being the sixth-largest in the world by area. It has a land area of 7,688,287 square kilometres, accounting for 5% of the world's land area. Despite its size, Australia has a low population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre as of June 2022. This makes Australia the third least densely populated country in the world, after Namibia and Mongolia.
Australia's population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. The country is highly urbanised, with 67% of the population living in metropolitan areas in 2018 and 86.51% living in urban areas in 2025. The population density in these urban areas is higher, with an average of 4 people per square kilometre.
The low population density of Australia is due to several factors. One factor is the country's geography and landscape, which is largely arid or semi-arid with a significant portion of its land area consisting of deserts. Another factor is the historical immigration patterns, with most immigration occurring in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, south-eastern and southern seaboards. Additionally, the Indigenous Australian population, which has a long history in the country dating back thousands of years, has traditionally been nomadic hunters and gatherers, contributing to a lower overall population density.
The low population density has implications for the country's infrastructure and development. Australia has five cities with over one million people, and most of the population lives within close proximity to coastlines. The country's vast interior regions are less populated, and this has influenced the development of transport, communication and social infrastructure in these areas. Australia's low population density also contributes to its megadiverse status, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including tropical rainforests along the coast and deserts in the interior.
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The land area of Australia is 2.989 million square miles
Australia is a megadiverse country with a land area of 2.989 million square miles. It is the world's sixth-largest country, the smallest continental land mass, and the planet's largest island. The country comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands, with 22,293 miles of coastline (excluding all offshore islands). Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent, with an average height of 325 metres.
The Australian landscape is ancient, with most of the rocks providing the foundation of Australian landforms formed during the Precambrian and Paleozoic time (approximately 4.6 billion to 252 million years ago). The landscape has been influenced by the use of fire by Aboriginal Australians, who had established semi-permanent settlements by the time of British settlement in 1788. The Aboriginal Australians spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures in the world.
Australia's size gives rise to a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. The country is sparsely populated, with a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre of total land area. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. Australia is highly urbanised, with 67% of the population living in metropolitan areas in 2018.
The continent of Australia, sometimes referred to technically as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia, is located within the Southern and Eastern hemispheres, near Maritime Southeast Asia. It includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of 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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Frequently asked questions
The land area of Australia is 7,688,287 square kilometres or 2,968,464 square miles.
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area, after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil.
Yes, Australia is the largest country in Oceania.
Yes, Australia is the smallest continent in the world.
The land area of Australia is approximately 75% of the land area of the US.
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