Lexi Webster
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country of diverse landscapes and climates. It is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania, located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia is home to a rich array of flora and fauna, including unique species such as the kangaroo, koala, and platypus. The country is divided into several geographical regions, each with its distinct characteristics and attractions. From the tropical rainforests in the northeast to the subtropical rainforests along the mid-eastern coast and the broadleaf rainforests in the southeast, Australia boasts a diverse range of ecosystems. The country is also known for its extensive deserts, such as the Great Victoria Desert and the Simpson Desert, covering about one-third of its landmass. With its vast coastal lowlands, sizable mountain ranges like the Great Dividing Range, and abundant natural resources, Australia presents a fascinating geographical landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern Hemisphere, between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean |
| Size | Sixth-largest country in the world |
| Area | 7,741,220 km2 (2.99 million mi2) |
| Number of Islands | Over 8,000 |
| Population | Never had a majority rural population |
| Population Concentration | 80% of the population lives within 25km of the coast |
| Largest City | Sydney |
| Capital | Canberra |
| Other Major Cities | Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, and Darwin |
| Number of States | 6 |
| Number of Territories | 2 mainland territories and several minor territories |
| Geography | Vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and sizable mountain ranges |
| Climate | Type C climate in Tasmania, Victoria, and the core region of the southeast |
| Natural Disasters | Bushfires, heatwaves, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and severe storms |
| Natural Resources | Minerals, oil, gas, fertile land, and water |
| Flora | Unique flora that is highly flammable |
| Fauna | Platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's geographical regions
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. It is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and a series of bays, gulfs, seas, and straits. Australia is geographically characterised by vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and sizable mountain ranges. It is divided into six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. There are also two major mainland territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
The western half of Australia consists of the Western Plateau, which rises to mountain heights near the west coast and falls to lower elevations near the continental centre. The Eastern Highlands, or the Great Dividing Range, lie near the eastern coast of Australia, separating the relatively narrow eastern coastal plain from the rest of the continent. Between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau lies the Central Lowlands, which include the Great Artesian Basin. The Great Artesian Basin is an important source of water and has enabled the expansion of grazing into previously dry areas.
The two core areas, where most of Australia's population resides, hold the power, wealth, and influence of the country. The periphery region supplies food, raw materials, and goods to the core. Australia's wine production is expanding to compete globally, with regions like the Barossa Valley in South Australia contributing to this growth. Western Australia has iron ore mines, while the eastern region of Queensland and New South Wales has abundant coal reserves.
Australia has a unique ecosystem due to its remote location, with many species found nowhere else in the world, such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala. The Great Barrier Reef, spanning the northeast coast of Queensland, is the world's largest coral reef system and is home to thousands of marine species. Australia's geography is also associated with frequent natural disasters like bushfires and heatwaves, influenced by the highly flammable flora and extreme temperatures, respectively.
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The Australian climate
Australia's climate is influenced by its geographical size and the hot, sinking air of the subtropical high-pressure belt (subtropical ridge or Australian High). The climate is variable, with frequent droughts and a wide range of climatic conditions. The largest part of Australia is arid or semi-arid desert, with only the southeast and southwest corners enjoying a temperate climate. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, with areas of grassland and desert.
The Tropic of Capricorn cuts across the continent, and the two core areas where most of Australia's population resides are within the Type C climate zone. This zone includes the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Average winter temperatures in June and July usually stay above 50 °F (10 °C), while average summer temperatures in January and February are around 70 °F (21 °C). The seasons are reversed compared to the Northern Hemisphere, so many Australians celebrate Christmas at the beach.
The southern coastal regions of the state have a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The highest rainfall occurs along the southern coasts and the Mount Lofty Ranges, with an average annual rainfall of 1,200 millimetres (47 inches) near Mount Lofty. In contrast, the Lake Eyre basin receives the lowest rainfall, with average annual totals of less than 150 millimetres (6 inches). Most of the rain in the southern districts falls during the winter months when the subtropical high-pressure belt is displaced to the north over the Australian continent.
The Grasslands form a belt surrounding the arid and semi-arid desert areas, extending into the Red Centre (Uluru, Alice Springs), Flinders Ranges, and Northwest Cape around Exmouth and Ningaloo. The Desert areas are characterised by high daytime temperatures and chilly nights. Temperatures in the deserts can range from 40°C in the summer to between 16°C and 24°C in the winter. At night, temperatures can dip from 19°C to 0°C.
The Tropical zone covers the Top End of the Northern Territory, including Kakadu and Arnhem Land. The dry season in this region typically lasts from April to October, with average temperatures around 20°C. The 'build-up' period between the wet and dry seasons is humid and lasts for about three to four months. The wet season, from November to March, is hotter and more humid, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C. Large amounts of rain fall during the wet season.
The Eastern Highlands, or Great Dividing Range, lie near the eastern coast of Australia, separating the narrow eastern coastal plain from the rest of the continent. These temperate forests have the most significant relief, rainfall, and the most abundant and varied flora and fauna. The Victorian Alps, part of the Great Dividing Range, constitute the coldest climate in Victoria, with average maximum temperatures below 9 °C in winter and below 0 °C in the highest parts.
The Western Plateau region, which makes up the western half of Australia, is generally flat but interrupted by mountain ranges such as the Hamersley Range, the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Musgrave Range. Surface water is scarce in this region, although larger rivers like the Murchison, Ashburton, and Victoria flow through its western and northern areas.
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Natural disasters in Australia
Australia is divided into 85 bioregions and 404 subregions according to the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA), the de facto standard regionalisation. The Western Plateau, the Eastern Highlands, and the Central Lowlands are some of the significant geographical features. The Western Plateau, which makes up the western half of Australia, is generally flat but is interrupted by several mountain ranges, including the Hamersley, MacDonnell, and Musgrave Ranges. The Eastern Highlands, or the Great Dividing Range, run along the eastern coast of Australia and are characterised by their varied flora and fauna, abundant rainfall, and high relief. The Central Lowlands, which lie between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau, include the Great Artesian Basin, the world's largest and deepest freshwater basin.
Australia's natural disasters are influenced by its varied geography. Bushfires are a frequent occurrence due to the country's unique and highly flammable flora, with some species relying on fire to regenerate and spread. The risk of bushfires is typically highest during the summer and autumn months, except in the northernmost regions, where it peaks in spring. Notable bushfire events include Black Saturday in 2009, which cost an estimated $1070 million, and the 2019-2020 fires that burned over 24 million hectares of southern Australia.
Heatwaves, characterised by consecutive days of extreme temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, are the deadliest natural disasters in Australia, causing more fatalities than bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, and severe storms combined. Climate change has exacerbated the severity and frequency of droughts in Australia, impacting water availability and leading to restrictions and measures to reduce water consumption.
Cyclones are another significant natural disaster in Australia, with Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974 causing extensive damage to the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, and Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017 resulting in record winds and heavy rainfall upon reaching Queensland's northern coast. Additionally, the country experiences floods, storms, landslides, and other extreme weather events, such as Tropical Cyclone Wanda, which caused significant flooding in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1974.
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Population distribution
Australia's population distribution is largely influenced by the country's unique geography and climate. The vast majority of Australians live in urban areas, with only about 11% of the population residing in rural regions. This urban-rural divide has been a consistent feature of Australia's population distribution, even during Aboriginal times.
The two economic core regions of Sydney, in New South Wales, and Melbourne, in Victoria, are where most of Australia's population resides. These cities, along with other major cities like Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, are all located on the coast. This coastal distribution is a result of European colonial development.
The Tropic of Capricorn cuts across the continent, and the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide are not far south of the tropics. This means that the average winter temperatures in June and July usually stay above 50 °F, and summer temperatures in January and February remain around 70 °F. This temperate climate is another factor attracting people to these major cities.
The Eastern Highlands, or the Great Dividing Range, lie near the eastern coast of Australia. This region has the greatest rainfall, the most varied flora and fauna, and the densest human settlement. The Western Plateau, which makes up the western half of Australia, is generally flat and arid, with some mountain ranges and rivers. The Central Lowlands, including the Great Artesian Basin, lie between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau.
The Australian Capital Territory, home to the capital city of Canberra, is one of the two major mainland territories, the other being the Northern Territory. Western Australia is the largest state, covering almost a third of the country's landmass, but it is not as densely populated as the eastern states.
Agricultural production and mineral resources are major sources of economic wealth for Australia. Western Australia has iron ore mines, while the eastern states of Queensland and New South Wales have abundant coal reserves. Oil and gas fields are found in the northwestern coastal waters and the Tasman Sea.
Australia's population density was 3.5 people per square kilometre as of June 2024. Sydney had the largest area in the high and very high-density classes, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane.
In summary, Australia's population is concentrated in the economic core regions of Sydney and Melbourne, with other major cities also being located along the coast. The Eastern Highlands have the densest human settlement, while the Western Plateau is less densely populated. Australia's abundant natural resources and unique geography shape its population distribution.
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Australia's economy
Australia is a highly developed country with a mixed economy. As of 2023, it was the 14th-largest national economy by nominal GDP (gross domestic product), the 19th-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP, the 21st-largest goods exporter, and the 24th-largest goods importer. Australia's economy is dominated by its service sector, which in 2017 comprised 62.7% of GDP and employed 78.8% of the labour force.
Mining has contributed significantly to Australia's economic growth, from the gold rush in the 1840s to the present day. The country has the second-largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth-largest reserves of coal, and significant gas resources. Commodities, including iron ore, coal, and natural gas, have long made up a sizeable share of Australia's exports. The mining industry's total value-added was 8.4% of GDP at its peak during the mining boom in 2009-2010.
Agriculture is another key sector of Australia's economy, with excellent food production capabilities and a strong mineral resource base. Western Australia has iron ore mines, while the eastern region of Queensland and New South Wales have abundant coal reserves. Minerals such as zinc, copper, gold, silver, tungsten, and nickel can be found in various parts of the country, including Tasmania. Oil and gas fields are located in the northwestern coastal waters and the Tasman Sea east of Melbourne. Only 11% of the population lives in rural areas, but agricultural production is a major source of economic wealth for the country.
Australia's economic liberalisation began in the early 1980s, with the floating of the Australian dollar and financial deregulation under Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Treasurer Paul Keating. The country has generally exhibited a core-periphery spatial pattern, with the core areas holding power, wealth, and influence, while the periphery regions supply food, raw materials, and goods. The two core areas where most of Australia's population resides are the state of New South Wales, with its largest city, Sydney, and the Australian Capital Territory, home to the capital city of Canberra. Other major cities include Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is divided into 6 states and 2 major mainland territories. The 6 states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
The two largest geographical regions in Australia are the Western Plateau and the Eastern Highlands, also known as the Great Dividing Range. The Western Plateau covers almost 70% of the country's landmass and includes expansive deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Simpson Desert. The Eastern Highlands have the greatest relief, the most rainfall, the most abundant and varied flora and fauna, and the densest human settlement.
Australia has over 8,000 islands in its territory. Some of the smallest geographical regions include Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, and Kangaroo Island, which is known for its diverse wildlife.
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