Damon Mcknight
Australia is a country and continent in Oceania, which is made up of thousands of islands across the South and Central Pacific Ocean. It is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area and the smallest continent. It is highly urbanised, with 67% of its population living in metropolitan areas as of 2018. The country is known for its unique flora and fauna, including kangaroos, koalas, and the Great Barrier Reef. With a diverse population of almost 27 million people, Australia has a strong national identity shaped by its Indigenous traditions, Anglo-Celtic heritage, and multicultural immigration.
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a country and a continent
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as the "island continent", as it is surrounded by oceans and is relatively small in size compared to other continents. It has a total land area of approximately 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi), making it the smallest, lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent on Earth, after Antarctica. The Australian landmass is mostly arid or semi-arid, with a range of landscapes and climates, including deserts, tropical rainforests, and mountain ranges.
The country of Australia is highly urbanised, with a population of almost 28 million people. The majority of the population is concentrated on the eastern seaboard, with the largest cities being Sydney and Melbourne, each with over five million inhabitants. Australia has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world, and its culture reflects a mix of Indigenous traditions, Anglo-Celtic heritage, and multicultural immigration.
As a continent, Australia is home to diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife. It is one of 17 megadiverse countries, with a wide range of endemic flora and fauna. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, and is home to a diverse array of marine life. Australia is also known for its unique wildlife, including kangaroos, the world's smallest bird, the honeyeater, and the world's most venomous snake, the Inland Taipan.
In summary, Australia is both a country and a continent, with a diverse culture, environment, and wildlife. Its status as a continent is widely recognised, and it plays a significant role in the region of Oceania and the wider world.
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Australia is the world's smallest continent
Australia is a continent, a country, and an island. It is the only continent that is also a country. Australia is the world's smallest continent, with a land area of 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi) or 2,967,909 square miles (7,686,884 square kilometres). It is also the sixth-largest country by area. Australia is highly urbanised, with 67% of its population living in metropolitan areas as of 2018. Sydney and Melbourne are among the most multicultural cities in the country.
Australia is sometimes referred to as an "island continent" because it is surrounded by oceans. It is the largest island in the world and the largest country without land borders. The continent includes the mainland of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The name "Australia" comes from the Latin word "Terra Australis," meaning "southern land."
Australia has a unique and diverse range of ecosystems, with 89 regions and 419 subregions recognised in the Australian bioregion framework. It is one of 17 megadiverse countries, with about 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds being endemic. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, is the world's largest structure made by living organisms. Australia is also home to the world's most venomous snake, the Inland Taipan, and the world's smallest bird, the honeyeater.
Australia has the world's 14th-largest economy and the second-highest human development index. It has the ninth-largest immigrant population globally, with 40% of Sydney residents speaking a language other than English at home. The country is heavily influenced by American culture, and many Australians identify egalitarianism, mateship, irreverence, and a lack of formality as part of their national identity.
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Australia is a member of the Commonwealth
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, was a founding member of the League of Nations in 1920 and the United Nations in 1945. It was also one of the founding members of the Commonwealth of Nations, established in 1931 when the Statute of Westminster ended the ability of the UK to legislate for Australia at the federal level without Australia's consent.
Australia is a middle power with three core bipartisan pillars of foreign relations: commitment to the US alliance, engagement with the Indo-Pacific, and support for international institutions, rules, and cooperation. Australia maintains a close relationship with the US through the ANZUS pact and its status as a major non-NATO ally, encompassing strong defence, security, and trade ties.
Australia is also a member of other international groups, including the G20, the OECD, the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Community.
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Australia is home to the world's most venomous snake
Australia is a country and a continent, the world's smallest, and it is also considered the world's largest island. It is the only continent that is also a country. Australia is home to about 170 species of land snakes, some equipped with venom more toxic than any other snakes in the world. However, snake bites are quite rare in Australia, and since the development of anti-venom, fatalities have been low.
The Inland Taipan, also known as the fierce snake or small-scaled snake, is considered the most venomous snake in the world. It is found in Australia, in the remote, rocky habitat where the Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, and Northern Territory borders converge. It is a reclusive and rare snake, and it is not considered the deadliest because it seldom comes into contact with people. Its venom can kill an adult human within 45 minutes, but only a handful of people, all snake handlers, have been bitten by this species.
The Eastern Brown Snake, or Pseudonaja textilis, and its relatives cause most of the bites and fatalities in Australia. They are fast-moving, aggressive, and known for their bad temper. Their venom is ranked as the second most toxic of any land snake in the world, and they thrive in populated areas, particularly on farms in rural areas. If disturbed, the eastern brown snake raises its body off the ground, winding into an 'S' shape, mouth gaping, ready to strike. Its venom causes progressive paralysis and stops the blood from clotting, which may take many doses of antivenom to reverse.
The Mulga snake, or Pseudechis australis, is the heaviest venomous snake in Australia and has the largest-recorded venom output of any snake in the world. It is commonly known as the king brown snake, but it is actually a member of the black snake genus Pseudechis. Southern mulgas are reported to be shy and quiet, while northern specimens are more agitated if disturbed. They bite savagely, injecting massive amounts of highly toxic venom, which destroys blood cells and affects the muscles and nerves.
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Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world
The Australian landmass is mostly desert or semi-arid, with the southern coastal corners enjoying a temperate climate. The northern parts of the country have a tropical climate. Snowfall is common on the highlands near the east coast, in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. The country experiences extensive droughts and considerable wet periods due to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.
Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, with much of its biota being unique due to its long geographic isolation. About 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds are endemic. It is also home to the world's largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, which extends for over 2,300 kilometres off the coast of Queensland.
In terms of economy, Australia is the world's 21st-largest exporter and 24th-largest importer. China is its largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 40% of exports and 17.6% of imports. The country has high levels of competitiveness and economic freedom, ranking 10th in the 2022 Human Development Index and 12th in the Index of Economic Freedom.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country globally.
Australia shares its continent with no other country. However, the continent of Australia includes the mainland of the country of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
There are 15 or 16 countries in Oceania, according to different sources. Australia is the largest country in Oceania by area.
