Damon Mcknight
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It is the only country in the continent of Australia, covering an entire continent by itself. The continent of Australia includes the mainland of the country of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. There are, however, a number of territories and islands around the continent that are considered part of Oceania, such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Nauru, which were historically administered by Australia as external territories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries | 1 country, Australia, which is also a continent |
| Population | 25 million |
| Population density | 3.4 persons per square kilometre |
| Land area | 7.6 million square kilometres |
| Coastline length | 32,994 kilometres (mainland) |
| Exclusive Economic Zone | 8,148,250 square kilometres |
| Capital | Canberra |
| Largest city | Sydney |
| Other major cities | Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide |
| Climate | Mostly desert or semi-arid, with temperate coastal areas in the south, and tropical climate in the north |
| Culture | Influenced by American popular culture, neighbouring Asian countries, and large-scale immigration |
| Languages | Predominantly English, with many other languages including Greek, Arabic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Spanish |
| Religion | Predominantly Christian, with large proportions of the population having no religion |
| Education | 37 government-funded universities, 3 private universities, and other specialist institutions |
| Biodiversity | 94% of amphibians, 93% of reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of mammals, and 46% of birds are endemic |
| Number of species | 168,386 named species, with an estimated 70% yet to be discovered and classified |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia
The Australian continent is also referred to as Oceania and Zealandia. The continent consists of the mainland of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The total land area of the Australian continent is 8.6 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi), while the country of Australia has a land area of 7.6 million square kilometres (2.9 million square miles). Australia is a diverse country with deserts, tropical rainforests, tropical savannas, and mountain ranges. It is also the world's driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils.
The capital of Australia is Canberra, and the largest city is Sydney. Other major cities include Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Sydney is the most multicultural city in Oceania, with about 40% of residents speaking a language other than English at home. Melbourne is also multicultural, with the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe and the second-largest Asian population in Australia.
Australia is a relatively prosperous independent country and a member of the Commonwealth. It is a middle power with strong ties to the US and engagement with the Indo-Pacific.
Australian Shoe Sizes: Understanding the Perfect Fit
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia is the smallest continent
Australia is the smallest of the seven continents, with a land area of 8.56 million square kilometres (3.31 million square miles) or 7,686,884 square kilometres (2,967,909 square miles). It is located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres, near Maritime Southeast Asia. The continent is entirely surrounded by water, with the Indian Ocean to the east and northeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and northwest. Australia is also referred to as Oceania, which includes the continent of Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and other islands in the Central and South Pacific.
The continent of Australia consists of the country of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. There are also many additional small nations, territories, and islands around the continent that extend to comprise Oceania, such as the Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian islands. Australia is sometimes referred to as an island continent, as it is surrounded by oceans and is the largest single country to exist entirely within the Southern Hemisphere.
The Australian continent has a diverse range of ecosystems, with 89 regions and 419 subregions recognised in the Australian bioregion framework. The climate is mostly desert or semi-arid, with southern coastal corners having a temperate climate, and the northern parts of the country experiencing a tropical climate. Snow frequently falls on the highlands near the east coast, in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.
The continent of Australia is also known for its cultural diversity, with Sydney being the most multicultural city in Oceania, with more than 250 different languages spoken. Melbourne is also quite multicultural, having the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe and the second-largest Asian population in Australia. The continent has a unique Australian culture that has been influenced by American popular culture, neighbouring Asian countries, and large-scale immigration from non-English-speaking nations.
Blackberries in Australia: When to Find Them
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia is a middle power with strong US ties
Australia is considered a middle power with strong ties to the US. The continent of Australia is the smallest of the seven continents and consists of the country of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, with various other small nations, territories, and islands extending into Oceania.
Australia's foreign relations have three core bipartisan pillars: 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. This relationship encompasses strong defence, security, and trade ties. Australia's ties with the US have strengthened in the context of China's rise as a major economic and military power in the region, with Beijing's recent assertive and coercive behaviours posing a key national security threat.
The term "middle power" has been associated with Australia since 1945, though its usage has been debated. Australia has played a key role in setting up multilateral institutions like the United Nations, but recent governments have shifted towards smaller groups like the Quad (with the US, Japan, and India) and AUKUS (with the US and the UK). Australia's relationship with the US has been described as "deeply entwined," and it has sought to deepen engagement with "like-minded" regional states while maintaining its broader alliance with the US.
Australia has traditionally sought to balance its strong economic ties with China and its defence alliance with the US. However, Australia-China relations have been strained by China's activities in the South China Sea and the global impact of its Belt and Road Initiative. Australia's growing defence reliance on the US has also polarised key partners in Southeast Asia, and Australia faces the challenge of managing its relationships with both the US and China in the context of their strategic competition.
Immigration Path: Australia from Dubai
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$16.63 $21.99
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Australia is highly urbanised
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world. In 2018, 67% of the population lived in metropolitan areas, and this figure rose to 86.62% in 2023. The continent of Australia is the smallest of the seven continents and is entirely surrounded by water. The country of Australia makes up part of the continent of the same name, along with New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Australia has a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide.
The continent of Australia has a diverse range of ecosystems, with frequent snowfalls in the highlands near the east coast and a tropical climate in the north. The Australian landmass is mostly desert or semi-arid, with a temperate climate in the southern coastal corners. Sydney, the most multicultural city in Oceania, is home to more than 250 different languages, with about 40% of residents speaking a language other than English at home. Melbourne is also multicultural, with the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe and the second-largest Asian population in Australia.
The country has a high rate of immigration, with 36% of Sydney's population born overseas, and 30.9% of Australia's population having attained a higher education qualification, one of the highest percentages in the world. Australia's urban population in 2020 was 22,120,168, a 1.38% increase from 2019. The continent is highly diverse, with many different cultural groups, languages, and religions. Christianity is the predominant religion, although large proportions of Australians belong to no religion, and other religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism are also present.
Australian Garden Snails: Their Favorite Foods and Dietary Habits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, with 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds being endemic. It is also one of the seven continents, with three confirmed countries dividing it: Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
The Great Barrier Reef has been an important part of the culture and spirituality of the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples for thousands of years. It was first sighted by Europeans in 1770 when British explorer Captain James Cook sailed and mapped the east coast of Australia. Matthew Flinders named it the "Great Barrier Reef" in 1802.
The reef is a very popular tourist destination, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions, offering some of the best ocean life in the world for divers and snorkelers. It is also an important economic activity for the region, generating over AUD$3 billion per year.
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced coral bleaching events due to warming ocean temperatures, raising concerns about its future. However, the Australian Institute of Marine Science reported in 2022 that the reef had shown the greatest recovery in 36 years, mainly due to the regrowth of Acropora coral.
Unemployment in Melbourne: Current Rates and Trends
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There is only one country in the continent of Australia, which is Australia.
Australia is also home to the island of Tasmania, numerous smaller islands, and external territories such as Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
Australia is the sixth-largest country by land area, covering 7.6 million square kilometres (2.9 million square miles).
Australia has a population of about 25 million people, with 79% living in the eastern coastal mainland states.
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
