Damon Mcknight
Australia is the smallest continent in the world, spanning 7.6 million to 7.7 million square kilometres. It is about the same size as the contiguous 48 states of America, and is divided into six states and two territories. Australia is known for its diverse landscapes, from its iconic red deserts to lush rainforests and stunning coastlines. The continent 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's rank in size compared to other continents | Sixth largest country and smallest continent |
| Size of Australia | 7,682,300 sq km or 7.6 million sq km or 7,688,287 km2 |
| Australia's population | 26 million |
| Size of Asia | 17.2 million sq mi or 44.6 million sq km |
| Asia's rank in size compared to other continents | Largest continent |
| Size of Africa | 11.6 million sq mi or 30 million sq km |
| Africa's rank in size compared to other continents | Second largest continent |
| Size of Europe | 3.8 million sq mi or 9.9 million sq km |
| Europe's rank in size compared to other continents | Sixth largest continent |
| Size of North America | 9.4 million sq mi or 24.5 million sq km |
| North America's rank in size compared to other continents | Third largest continent (by area) |
| Size of Russia | 6.6 million sq mi or 17.1 million sq km |
| Size of Canada | 9,984,670 sq km |
| Size of the United States | 9.8 million sq km |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the smallest continent
The continent of Australia, also known as Sahul, Australia-New Guinea, Australinea, or Meganesia, is located in 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, and most of the Coral Sea Islands, among other nearby islands.
Australia's sheer size is impressive, with a width of approximately 3,860 kilometres at its widest point. The continent boasts diverse landscapes, from its iconic red deserts to lush rainforests and pristine coastlines. Its population of 26 million is highly urbanised, with the majority living in coastal areas.
In addition to being the smallest continent, Australia is also the only First World country on the Australia-New Guinea continent, with a dominant economy in the region and one of the largest in the world.
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Asia is the largest continent
Asia has the highest and lowest points on Earth. Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world, reaches an elevation of 29,035 feet (8,850 metres) above sea level. The lowest point on Earth's land surface is the Dead Sea, which is 1,410 feet (430 metres) below sea level. Asia also has the deepest continental trough, Lake Baikal, which is 5,315 feet (1,620 metres) deep, with its bottom 3,822 feet (1,165 metres) below sea level.
Asia has the world's widest climatic extremes, from Arctic and subarctic in Siberia to tropical in southern India and Southeast Asia. Consequently, Asia produces the most varied forms of vegetation and animal life on Earth. Asia's mountain systems have provided the continent's great rivers with water from their melting snows and have influenced the movement of peoples in the area. The Himalayas, between Nepal and China, is the tallest mountain range in the world. Tropical rainforests stretch across much of southern Asia, and coniferous and deciduous forests lie farther north.
Asia has a population of 4.7 billion people, constituting roughly 60% of the world's population. Asia has been home to the majority of the human population for much of history and was the site of many of the first civilisations. Asia's population is unevenly distributed, with concentrations in western Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the eastern half of China.
In contrast, Australia is the smallest continent, with 3 million square miles (7.6-7.7 million square kilometres) and a population of around 26 million. It is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of just 5% of the world's total.
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Africa is the second-largest continent
Australia is the smallest continental land mass, but it is the world's largest island. It is about the size of the contiguous 48 states of America and is the sixth-largest country in the world.
In contrast, Africa is the world's second-largest continent, spanning 11.6 million square miles (30 million square kilometres) and accounting for 20% of Earth's land area. It is second only to Asia, which is the largest continent in the world, spanning 17.2 million square miles (44.6 million square kilometres). Africa is also the second-most populous continent, with a population of 1.5 billion, accounting for about 18% of the world's population.
Africa is home to 54 fully recognised sovereign states, eight cities and islands that are part of non-African states, and two de facto independent states. Algeria is Africa's largest country by area, while the smallest country is Seychelles, an archipelago off the east coast. The continent is incredibly biodiverse and is home to the world's largest number of megafauna species, as it was least affected by the extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna. It also contains the longest river in the world, the Nile, which stretches over 4,100 miles (6,600 kilometres) from Sudan to the Mediterranean Sea.
Africa's population is the youngest of all the continents, with a median age of 19.7 in 2012, compared to the worldwide median age of 30.4. By 2100, Africa's population is projected to exceed 3.8 billion people. Despite its large and young population, Africa is the least wealthy inhabited continent per capita and the second-least wealthy by total wealth. However, recent economic growth and a large and young population make Africa an important economic market in the global context.
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Australia is the sixth-largest country
Australia is a country and a continent in its own right, and it is the only continent that is its own country. It is also the largest country in the geographical region of Oceania. 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.
Australia's sheer size is impressive, and it is a testament to freedom and endless possibilities. The vast and expansive land area offers various landscapes, from golden beaches along the coastline to the rugged outback in the interior. The width of the country is approximately 3,860 kilometres at its widest point. This means that you could fit multiple countries within its borders!
Australia's population of 26 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard. The majority of the population lives in urban areas on the coasts, as much of the land in the interior is uninhabitable. Australia has a significantly larger landmass than the United States, despite the USA having a larger area. This is due to Australia's isolated geography and expansive interior.
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Russia is more than twice the size of Australia
Australia is the smallest continental land mass, accounting for just five percent of the world's land area. It is, however, the world's largest island. Australia's land area is approximately 7,682,300 to 7,741,220 square kilometres. The country is divided into six states and two territories, with the largest state, Western Australia, stretching over approximately 2.6 million square kilometres.
Russia, on the other hand, is the world's largest country by land area. It encompasses an incredible 17,098,242 square kilometres, making it more than twice the size of Australia. To put this into perspective, Australia's land area is roughly equivalent to the contiguous 48 states of the United States, while Russia is so vast that it dwarfs Australia's sheer land area.
The sheer size of Russia is evident when compared to other countries as well. For example, Russia is more than three times the size of Canada, which is approximately 9,984,670 square kilometres. Russia's land area is also significantly larger than that of China, which ranks as the fourth-largest country in the world by area.
Russia's vast expanse stretches across Northern Eurasia and includes a wide range of landscapes and geographical features. From the icy tundra of Siberia to the mountainous regions of the Caucasus and the vast plains of the Russian heartland, Russia's diversity is a testament to its immense size. In contrast, Australia, despite its smaller size, also boasts diverse landscapes, including iconic red deserts, lush rainforests, and stunning coastlines.
In summary, Russia is indeed more than twice the size of Australia, and its sheer land area showcases its global prominence. Australia, despite being the smallest continent, still holds its own in terms of size, ranking as the sixth-largest country in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the smallest continent, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres or 3 million square miles.
Australia is smaller than Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Antarctica. It is slightly smaller than Europe, which spans 9.9 million square kilometres.
Australia is slightly smaller than the United States, which covers 9.8 million square kilometres. Canada is 29% larger than Australia. Russia is more than twice the size of Australia.
