Leslie Massey
Australia is an island continent and the world's smallest continent. It is the only continent that is also a country. The continent of Australia includes the country of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The continent also includes the island of New Guinea, which consists of Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea. Additionally, there are many other islands and territories in the region that are considered part of Oceania, such as New Zealand, Nauru, and the Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian islands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries in the continent of Australia | 3 (including Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea) |
| Number of countries represented in the Parliament of Australia | 2 (Australia and Norfolk Island) |
| Number of federated states in Australia | 6 (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia) |
| Number of federal territories in Australia | 10 (3 internal and 7 external) |
| Number of independent countries in Australia and Oceania | 14 |
| Number of dependent overseas territories in Australia and Oceania | 12 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australia-New Guinea, Australinea, or Meganesia to distinguish it from the country of Australia. 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.
The country of Australia is diverse, with deserts, tropical rainforests, tropical savannas, and mountain ranges. The total land area of the country of Australia is 7.6 million square kilometres (2.9 million square miles). Australia has a coastline, excluding all offshore islands, that stretches for 34,218 kilometres (21,262 miles).
Australia is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates. The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from Southeast Asia 50,000 to 65,000 years ago, during the last glacial period. By the time of British settlement, Aboriginal Australians spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures in the world.
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$13.9 $14.95
Australia is the smallest continent in the world
Australia is also the driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. It is the lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent on Earth. The name 'Australia' comes from the Latin word 'Terra Australis', meaning 'southern land'. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman first used it in the 17th century. Australia is the only continent entirely surrounded by the ocean, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, contributing to its unique maritime influence.
The smallest continent boasts a diverse range of natural features, including towering mountains, winding rivers, expansive deserts, and lush wetlands. The land is rich in natural minerals and resources, shaping its global trade relations. As part of the Gondwana landmass, Australia's geological formations echo prehistoric times. Biologists who study animals consider this smallest continent a living laboratory. More than 60 million years ago, when the continent began to separate from Antarctica, it brought a variety of species with it. These animals evolved into unique species found only in Australia, such as the koala, platypus, and Tasmanian devil.
Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system. The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, and is home to thousands of different kinds of marine life. It is considered the world's largest living organism, spanning 1,920 kilometres (1,200 miles) of active coral colonies. Australia also has the world's most venomous snake, the Inland Taipan.
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Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia is a diverse country with landscapes ranging from deserts to tropical rainforests and savannas, and mountain ranges. It is the only country in the continent of Australia, making it both a large landmass and a sovereign state. It is the sixth-largest country by area in the world and the largest in Oceania. The country has a population of about 25 million people, and its official language is English, although many other languages are spoken due to immigration.
The Great Barrier Reef has been known and used by the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples for a long time and holds cultural and spiritual significance for them. It was first sighted by Europeans in 1770 when James Cook sailed and mapped the east coast of Australia. Matthew Flinders later named it the Great Barrier Reef after conducting a more detailed mapping in 1802.
The Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions, contributing significantly to the region's economy. It offers some of the best ocean life experiences in the world for divers and snorkelers, with over 100 unique and exotic islands to explore. The reef is also home to a diverse range of marine life and provides a breathtakingly beautiful underwater experience.
The reef system is facing challenges due to coral bleaching events, which have raised concerns about its future. These events are caused by warming ocean temperatures and the El Niño weather phenomenon. Despite these threats, the Great Barrier Reef remains a natural wonder and an important part of Australia's environmental and cultural heritage.
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Australia is a federation and constitutional monarchy
Australia is a federation, a constitutional monarchy, and a parliamentary democracy. It is officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia and is the only country in the continent of Australia. The continent includes the mainland of Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea), the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and some other nearby islands.
Australia is a federation of states, with power divided between the federal and state governments. The country has maintained its mostly unchanged constitution alongside a stable liberal democratic political system since Federation in 1901. The Australian Constitution sets out that the power to make and manage laws is shared between the federal and state governments. The Australian Parliament has the power to make laws about national matters such as defence, immigration, trade, and foreign affairs.
The monarchy of Australia is a central component of the country's system of government, with a hereditary monarch serving as the head of state. It is a constitutional monarchy, modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy and responsible government. The monarch is represented at the federal level by the governor-general and in each of the Australian states by a governor. The current monarch is King Charles III, who is also the monarch of the other Commonwealth realms.
Australia is one of 15 independent Commonwealth realms, which are countries that share the same person as monarch and head of state. The Australian monarchy has been a distinct office since the 1940s, and the monarch acts exclusively on the advice of Australian state and federal ministers. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister, and the state governors are appointed on the advice of the respective premiers.
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Australia is a diverse country with varied landscapes
The country is known for its snow-capped peaks, such as the Australian Alps, and Mount Kosciuszko, the country's highest mountain. It also boasts wildlife-rich coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system. Australia's Daintree Rainforest is a tropical rainforest located on the northeast coast of Queensland and is the oldest surviving rainforest in the world. The country also features tropical savannas, mountain ranges, and deserts, including the world's largest intact desert.
The Great Ocean Road, stretching 151 miles from Torquay to Allansford, is renowned for its dramatic rock formations, sheer ocean cliffs, untouched surf beaches, and wild, dramatic coastlines. The Twelve Apostles, located just off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, are a series of limestone rock formations shaped by erosion, standing like sentries overlooking the coast.
Australia's cultural diversity is also noteworthy, with Indigenous traditions, Anglo-Celtic heritage, and a history of multicultural immigration shaping its contemporary culture. The country has a strong performing arts scene, with notable opera singers, popular music acts, symphony orchestras, ballet and dance companies, and a thriving film industry.
With its diverse landscapes, rich cultural offerings, and unique natural attractions, Australia is a country that truly inspires the imagination.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia. However, the continent of Australia includes the mainland of the Australian country, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
The continent of Australia is the smallest of the seven continents. The total land area of the Australian continent is 8.6 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi) or 7,688,287 sq km (2,968,464 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest country in the world.
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.
