Lexi Webster
Western Australia, the westernmost state of Australia, is a huge 2,527,013 square kilometres (or 975,685 square miles) in size. It occupies the western 32.9% of the land area of Australia, excluding external territories, and is the largest state in the country. Western Australia is also the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, with only Russia's Sakha Republic surpassing it. The state is sparsely populated, with the vast majority of its inhabitants living in the southwest corner, in and around Perth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land Area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) or 2,529,875 square km |
| Population | 2.6 million (2017), 2.965 million (2024) or 2,660,026 (2021) |
| Percentage of Total Area of Australia | 32.9% or 1/3rd |
| World Ranking | Second-largest subdivision of any country |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia is Australia's largest state
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It covers a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), making it the largest state in Australia. To put this into perspective, Western Australia occupies roughly one-third of the total area of the continent and is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, only surpassed by Russia's Sakha Republic.
The state is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the northeast, and South Australia to the southeast. It is known for its diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior (such as the Great Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert), and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and southern coastal areas.
The capital of Western Australia is Perth, which is one of the largest metropolitan regions in Australia. The majority of the state's population lives in the greater Perth area, with around 79-92% of the population concentrated in the southwest corner of the state. Outside of Perth, the remainder of Western Australia is sparsely populated.
Western Australia has a significant impact on the country's economy, particularly through its tourism and sandalwood industries. It attracts a large number of international visitors, with the UK, Singapore, and New Zealand being the top source markets. Additionally, Western Australia has the world's biggest plantations of Indian and Australian sandalwood, contributing about 40% to the international sandalwood oil market.
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It is the world's second-largest subdivision
Western Australia is an enormous state, and its size is quite remarkable when compared to other global regions. Covering an area of approximately 2.6 million square kilometers, it is the largest state or territory in Australia, encompassing just under one-third of the entire Australian continent. To put this into perspective, if Western Australia were a country, it would rank as the world's second-largest by area. Only Russia's Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, surpasses it in size. At 3.1 million square kilometers, Sakha is slightly larger than Western Australia, but it is worth noting that both regions boast a remarkably vast expanse of land. Moving down the list of the world's largest subdivisions, following closely behind Western Australia is Greenland, the autonomous territory of Denmark, which covers 2.2 million square kilometers. These comparisons highlight just how expansive Western Australia is on a global scale. Within Australia itself, the size of Western Australia is equally impressive. The state is more extensive than the entire eastern seaboard combined, including the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, along with the Australian Capital Territory. This vastness is a defining characteristic of Western Australia, shaping its unique character and offering a diverse range of landscapes and natural wonders.
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The state has a population of around 2.6 million
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering a total land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (some sources round this up to 2,529,875 square kilometres or down to 2.5 million square kilometres). To put that in context, it occupies the western 32.9% of Australia's land area, excluding external territories, and is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth.
Despite its size, Western Australia's population is only around 2.6 million, as of 2017. This figure had risen to 2,660,026 by 2021. The state accounts for just 10.9% to 11% of the national total, making it the fourth most populous state in the country.
The vast majority of Western Australia's population is concentrated in the southwest region, near the state capital, Perth. Around 80% to 92% of the state's residents live in this area, which has a higher population density of 310 persons per square kilometre. This is in stark contrast to the rest of Western Australia, which is sparsely populated. Perth, one of the largest metropolitan regions in Australia, is closer in distance and time zone to Jakarta and Singapore than to Sydney.
The population of Western Australia has grown consistently over the last 13 years, ranging from 0.77% to 3.70% growth year-on-year. This growth has been attributed to the mining boom in Australia, which created a lot of jobs. However, in recent years, the population growth has slowed down, possibly due to the mining industry's decline in demand from China.
The state has a relatively low median age of around 36 years, and its population is predominantly English-speaking and Christian. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders account for 3.1% of the population, and the top five ancestries are English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and Italian.
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Most of the state is subarid
Western Australia (WA) is the largest state in Australia, covering 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). It occupies the western third of the continent and is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the northeast, and South Australia to the southeast. The state has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley region, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the southwestern and southern coastal areas.
Most of Western Australia is subarid, with low rainfall and high temperatures. This climate restricts population and agricultural activities to the "comfortable zone" southwest of an imaginary line stretching from north of Geraldton on the state's western coast to Esperance on its southern coast. The majority of the population lives in the greater Perth area, which is one of the largest metropolitan regions in Australia.
The northern and western regions of Western Australia consist primarily of broad plateaus articulated by several mountain ranges, such as the Hamersley Range in the Pilbara region. The coastline in these regions is rugged and dangerous, with strong currents and tidal ranges that can reach 39 feet (12 meters). The inland areas are sparsely wooded, with rolling landscapes scattered with bristly grasses.
The eastern regions of Western Australia are dominated by immense deserts, including the Gibson Desert, the Great Sandy Desert, and the Great Victoria Desert. The Great Sandy Desert, located southwest of the Pilbara region, is an arid landscape of ancient folded and uplifted rocks. This region is home to some of the world's oldest fossil stromatolites, dating back about 3.5 billion years.
Western Australia has the world's largest plantations of Indian sandalwood in the north and Australian sandalwood in the semi-arid regions, contributing significantly to the international sandalwood oil market. The state also boasts the longest coastline in Australia, spanning 10,194 kilometers (6,334 mi), offering a wealth of coastal attractions for tourists.
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It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west
Western Australia is a massive state, covering 2.6 million square kilometers. To put that into perspective, it is the largest state in Australia, accounting for almost one-third of the country's total area. It is so vast that it is comparable in size to some of the world's largest countries, such as India and Mexico. Now, onto its boundaries:
Western Australia is uniquely positioned, with the Indian Ocean serving as its northern and western boundary. This expansive ocean stretches from the coast of East Africa in the west to the coast of Australia in the east, and from the Southern Ocean in the south to the equatorial waters in the north. The Indian Ocean is known for its rich marine life and diverse ecosystems, including vibrant coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds. The ocean plays a significant role in the climate and weather patterns of Western Australia, influencing the monsoons and providing a source of moisture for rainfall in the region.
The state's coastline along the Indian Ocean is approximately 12,500 kilometers long, offering a diverse range of landscapes. From pristine white-sand beaches to dramatic rocky shores, the coastline is a defining feature of Western Australia. It is home to numerous islands, bays, and peninsulas, each with its unique ecological characteristics. The Ningaloo Coast, for example, is a World Heritage-listed site known for its breathtaking coral reefs and diverse marine life, including the iconic whale shark.
The Indian Ocean not only shapes the geography and climate of Western Australia but also holds cultural and historical significance. For thousands of years, the ocean has played a vital role in the lives and traditions of Indigenous Australians, particularly the Aboriginal people of the region. They have a deep spiritual connection to the ocean and its resources, and their cultural practices and beliefs are intertwined with the sea. The ocean has also been a gateway for trade and cultural exchange, connecting Western Australia to the wider world.
The unique boundary of the Indian Ocean to the north and west gives Western Australia a distinct character and sets it apart from other Australian states and territories. It influences the state's climate, ecosystems, and cultural heritage, shaping the lives and experiences of those who call this vast and diverse state home. The relationship between the ocean and the land continues to be a defining feature of Western Australia, offering both ecological richness and economic opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia occupies 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) or 2,529,875 square kilometres, making it the largest state in Australia.
Western Australia is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. Only Russia's Sakha Republic is larger.
Western Australia occupies roughly one-third of the total area of Australia, or 32.9 percent of the land area excluding external territories.
As of 2021, Western Australia had a population of 2,660,026.
