Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is an island nation surrounded entirely by water, with the sixth-longest coastline in the world. As such, none of its six states are landlocked. However, the Australian Capital Territory, which includes Canberra, is landlocked. This is because it is an inland territory that does not have access to the ocean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of landlocked Australian states | 1 (Australian Capital Territory) |
| Other characteristics | Australia is an island nation surrounded by water and fringed by thousands of small islands |
| Tasmania is the only island state |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is an island nation
The Australian Capital Territory is the seat of government for the nation, selected after Federation in 1901. Several possible locations were suggested, with Bombala chosen initially, then Dalgety, and finally the Canberra region.
As an island nation, Australia's coastlines play a crucial role in defining National, State, and Territory boundaries. Almost 40% of the total coastline length comprises island coastlines. Tasmania is the only island state, while the Northern Territory has a shorter mainland coastline than the combined coastline of all its islands.
While there are no landlocked states in Australia, border disputes have occurred due to discrepancies in surveys and the advent of modern technologies. Rulings have generally upheld the position of borders with established physical references or property lines, and few state borders are as simple as a straight line marked by a meridian of longitude.
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The Australian Capital Territory is the only landlocked state
Australia is an island nation, the sixth-largest country in the world, and the only one of the top six that is completely surrounded by water. As such, none of its six states are landlocked, though one territory is: the Australian Capital Territory.
The Australian Capital Territory is home to the country's capital, Canberra, and is located entirely within the state of New South Wales. It is relatively small, covering an area of just under 2,400 square kilometres, and is bordered by the state of New South Wales to the north, east, south, and west.
The Australian Capital Territory was established after Federation in 1901, when it was decided that the capital of the new nation should not be selected from existing state capitals to prevent rivalry. Several possible locations were considered, with parliamentarians visiting Dalgety, the Canberra region, and Lake George in 1906. Ultimately, the Canberra region was chosen, and the city of Canberra was officially established in 1913.
The establishment of the Australian Capital Territory as a separate territory from New South Wales was the result of a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities in Australia at the time, both of which wanted to be the national capital. By creating a separate territory for the capital, Australia's leaders hoped to foster a sense of national unity and avoid favouring one city over the other.
Today, the Australian Capital Territory is known for its natural beauty, including the Namadgi National Park and the Australian Alps, as well as its cultural institutions, such as the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial.
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Tasmania is the only island state
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and the only one of the top six that is entirely surrounded by water. The mainland and Tasmania are also surrounded by thousands of small islands and numerous larger ones. Australia is an island nation, and its coasts play a crucial role in defining its national, state, and territory boundaries.
The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction with a shorter mainland coastline than the combined coastline of all its islands. Border disputes have occurred between several states, but rulings have generally upheld the position of borders with established physical references or property lines.
The acquisition of external territories has played a role in shaping Australia's borders. After Federation in 1901, it was decided that the new capital would not be selected from existing state capitals to prevent rivalry. Several locations were considered, and parliamentarians visited Dalgety, the Canberra region, and Lake George in 1906. Ultimately, the parliamentarians chose Canberra as the new capital.
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Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world
Australia's vast land area means that it is considered a continent in its own right. In fact, it is so large that it is technically classed as its own continent. However, this categorisation has been increasingly rejected in recent decades, and Australia is now more commonly referred to as a country within the region of Oceania.
The United Nations combines Australia, its smaller island territories, and New Zealand into one region called "Australia and New Zealand" within the greater Oceania region. This classification as an island is understandable given Australia's remote location on the world map. However, this perception is due to the two-dimensional representation of maps, which can be distorted.
Australia's size has resulted in a sparse population, with just under 26.5 million people calling the country home. In comparison, India, which is less than half the size of Australia, has an estimated population of nearly 1.43 billion, making it the most densely populated country on the list of the world's largest countries.
Despite being one of the biggest countries in the world, Australia is not a landlocked country. Its coastline borders the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a significant maritime presence and influence.
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Australia is the only country in the top six that is completely surrounded by water
Australia is unique among the top six countries in that it is the only one entirely surrounded by water. Being landlocked generally puts a nation at a disadvantage in terms of politics, military strategy, and economics. Landlocked countries tend to be less wealthy and less populous than those with access to the ocean. They are limited in their trading activities and must rely on their neighbours for economic growth.
Historically, nations have gone to great lengths to gain access to open waters, even at great cost. For example, Bolivia lost its coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific and had to accept it in treaties signed in 1884 and 1904. Ethiopia, the most populous landlocked country, gained its landlocked status due to the independence of Eritrea, which was brought about by the 30-year Eritrean War of Independence.
The economic disadvantages of being landlocked can be mitigated or exacerbated depending on factors such as the degree of development, surrounding trade routes, freedom of trade, and language commonality. Some argue that being landlocked can create a "natural tariff barrier", protecting the country from cheap imports. However, this can also isolate a country from the global market and hinder its development.
Australia, by virtue of its geography, has avoided the challenges faced by landlocked countries. Its vast coastline has provided opportunities for trade and economic growth, contributing to its position among the top six countries.
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Frequently asked questions
None of the Australian states are landlocked as Australia is an island nation.
Yes, the Australian Capital Territory is the only landlocked territory in Australia.
Tasmania is the only island state in Australia.
Almost 40% of the total coastline length comprises island coastlines.
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