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Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, with a land mass of 7.7 million square kilometres. This accounts for just five per cent of the world's land area. Several countries could fit inside Australia, including Kazakhstan, which is 2.7 million square kilometres, and the United Kingdom, which is dwarfed by Australia in comparison. California, a single US state, is almost twice the size of the UK. Australia's size can be surprising, and its land mass is larger than the entire continent of Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land area of Australia | 7,688,287 km2 |
| Percentage of world's land area | 5% |
| Countries that can fit inside Australia | Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, California, Germany, New Zealand, Indonesia, Lesotho, and Swaziland |
| Countries that cannot fit inside Australia | Indonesia (if including Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Irianjaya) |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country
The vast land area of Australia results from its long geological history. The continent has existed for billions of years and has undergone significant geological changes, including the break-up of supercontinents and the formation of unique landforms. This has contributed to Australia's diverse landscapes and climates, ranging from arid deserts in the interior to tropical rainforests along the coast.
Australia's size and geographical position have significantly impacted its economy and trade relations. As the country is vast, it has a diverse range of natural resources, contributing to its economic development. Australia is a significant exporter, ranking 21st globally, and its major export markets include China, Japan, and the United States. The country also attracts many international tourists, with 9.5 million visitors in 2019.
In addition to its economic significance, Australia's size has also influenced its cultural and social aspects. The Aboriginal Australians, who have one of the world's oldest living cultures, spoke 250 distinct languages before British settlement. Australia's low population density, resulting from its large land area, has shaped its demographic distribution and cultural diversity.
Australia's status as the sixth-largest country has had both positive and negative implications. The country's vast land area provides opportunities for economic growth and natural resource exploitation. However, it also presents challenges in infrastructure development, governance, and equitable distribution of resources. Additionally, Australia's large size may contribute to a sense of isolation or distance from other regions, influencing its international relations and cultural exchanges.
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Kazakhstan fits within Australia
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres or 7,741,220 square kilometres, depending on the source. It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area and is the world's largest island.
Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country located mainly in Central Asia with a smaller portion in Eastern Europe. It covers a land area of 2,724,900 square kilometres, making it the eighth-largest country in the world.
Despite being smaller, Kazakhstan could fit entirely within Australia. In fact, at 2,724,900 square kilometres, Kazakhstan is approximately 35.2% the size of Australia, which is 7,741,220 square kilometres. This means that, in theory, you could fit around two and a half Kazakhstans inside Australia.
While Australia is larger in landmass, Kazakhstan has a higher population density. Australia has a population of around 26.1 million people, while Kazakhstan is home to 18.3 million residents. This equates to fewer than six people per square kilometre in Kazakhstan, compared to 3.4 people per square kilometre in Australia.
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The UK is dwarfed by Australia
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, spanning 7.7 million square kilometres. It accounts for just 5% of the world's land area and is the planet's biggest island. In contrast, the United Kingdom appears to shrink when dragged below the equator and is completely dwarfed by Australia when placed beside it.
The UK is a small country relative to Australia. The UK is approximately 243,610 square kilometres in size, meaning that Australia is over 30 times larger than the UK. To put this into perspective, if you were to place the UK within Australia on a map, the UK would be a tiny speck in comparison.
Australia's land mass is so large that it can accommodate multiple countries within its borders. For example, Kazakhstan, which is 2.7 million square kilometres in size, fits snugly within Australia. This gives a sense of the vastness of Australia's territory.
The UK's small size in comparison to Australia is due in part to its proximity to the equator. The Mercator Projection, used in standard 2D maps, causes countries to appear smaller the closer they are to the equator. This is why the UK appears to shrink when dragged below the equator, while Australia appears to grow when shifted upwards.
The difference in size between the UK and Australia has significant implications for each country's geography, economy, and culture. Australia's vast land mass includes diverse landscapes, from deserts to tropical rainforests, while the UK has a more consistent climate and terrain. The large size of Australia also presents challenges and opportunities for infrastructure development, transportation, and resource management.
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Australia covers the whole of Europe
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, spanning 7.7 million square kilometres. In comparison, Europe is a whole continent, so Australia is smaller in landmass. However, when looking at an interactive map, such as the one provided by The True Size, users can see that Australia covers almost the entirety of Europe when placed over the continent. This is due to the Mercator Projection, a standard method of drawing 2D maps, which distorts the shape of countries closer to the poles, making them seem larger.
When looking at the sizes of individual countries within Europe, it becomes evident that many would fit within Australia. For example, the United Kingdom is completely dwarfed by Australia. Kazakhstan, which is 2.7 million square kilometres, fits snugly within Australia. California, a US state, is almost twice the size of the United Kingdom.
The perception of a country's size can also be impacted by its distance from the equator. Countries closer to the equator appear to shrink when dragged below it, while those farther away seem to drastically 'grow' when shifted upwards. This is why Australia appears to increase in size when moved upwards to sit over Russia, despite Russia being larger.
It is worth noting that Australia, despite being the largest island, is the smallest continental land mass. It accounts for just 5% of the world's land area, with approximately 40% of the country being uninhabitable desert. This means that while Australia may visually cover most of Europe on a map, the two landmasses differ greatly in terms of population, history, and geographical features.
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Australia vs China and Africa (vs other countries)
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, with a land mass of 7.7 million square kilometres. It accounts for just 5% of the world's land area and is the world's largest island.
Australia vs. China
China is larger than Australia, ranking as the fourth-largest country globally. When comparing their sizes, China is approximately 2.7 million square kilometres bigger than Australia.
Australia vs. Africa
Africa is significantly larger than Australia, as the entire African continent covers around 30.3 million square kilometres. Africa is so expansive that if you placed Australia within it, it would only cover a small portion of the continent.
Australia vs. Other Countries
When compared to other countries, Australia's size can be quite surprising. For example, the United Kingdom is completely dwarfed by Australia, appearing much smaller when placed beside it or dragged below the equator on a map. Similarly, Kazakhstan fits snugly within Australia's borders, showcasing the vastness of the latter.
In contrast, some countries, such as Indonesia, may not fit entirely within Australia's borders due to their size and shape. However, this comparison highlights the significant land area of Australia, equivalent to approximately 5% of the world's landmass.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and is only slightly smaller than the United States. It is slightly larger than Brazil and slightly smaller than China. It is also the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. Therefore, it is massive and can fit many countries inside it. However, an exact number cannot be provided as it depends on the shape and size of the countries being considered.
Australia is approximately 7,688,287 square kilometres.
Australia has a population of 26 million people.
Australia is home to many unique animal species, such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala. It has 516 national parks that protect its diverse plant life and animal species. The Great Dividing Range, a 2,300-mile-long stretch of mountains, runs along the eastern and southeastern edge of the country and supplies water to many of Australia's important rivers. About 40% of the country is uninhabitable desert, with most of the population living along the southwest and southeast coasts, where the climate is more comfortable.
Aboriginal people arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago, possibly travelling from Asia across land bridges exposed due to lower sea levels. Dutch explorers landed in 1606, and the British began settling in 1788, initially sending criminals to the continent as punishment. Gold was discovered in 1851, leading to an influx of immigrants and the formation of six separate colonies by 1859. These colonies joined to form a British commonwealth in 1901.
