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Australia is a country and continent in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is officially the Commonwealth of Australia and is one of the largest countries on Earth. Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with a highly urbanised population of nearly 28 million people. The country has a diverse culture and is home to the world's oldest continuous culture, with Aboriginal Australians having lived on and managed the land for over 60,000 years.
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a continent, an island, and a country
Australia is a country, a continent, and an island. It is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia and is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. It is made up of six states and ten territories. The country has a population of around 28 million people, with the majority living in urban areas on the eastern seaboard. The nation's capital, Canberra, is located in the southeast, while the two most populous cities, Sydney and Melbourne, are on the coast.
Australia is the smallest continent in the world and the sixth-largest country by total area, with a land mass of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 sq mi). It is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor Seas. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies off the northeast coast of the country.
Australia is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often referred to as the "island continent". It has 35,877 kilometres (22,293 mi) of coastline, excluding offshore islands. The mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 ft) compared to 870 metres (2,850 ft) for all continents.
The Australian climate varies from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. The country is home to unique flora and fauna, including hundreds of eucalyptus tree species and the only egg-laying mammals on Earth, the platypus and echidna.
Australia is a culturally diverse nation with one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. It has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. It is a global leader and innovator in sports, with Australians being passionate about swimming, surfing, sailing, tennis, soccer, cricket, rugby, and Australian rules football.
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Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Australia is a country and the smallest continent on Earth. It is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia and is part of the United Kingdom. Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy, and a federation of states. The country's system of government is based on the Westminster system, which includes a written constitution and a distinct separation of powers.
In a representative democracy like Australia, citizens vote in federal elections to elect members of parliament who represent them and make laws on their behalf. Federal elections are held approximately every three years. The Australian Parliament has the power to make laws on national matters such as defence, immigration, trade, and foreign affairs. The Australian Constitution outlines how the power to make and manage laws is shared between the federal and state parliaments.
As a constitutional monarchy, Australia recognises a hereditary monarch as the country's sovereign and head of state. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial and governed by the country's constitution and accepted practices or conventions. The current monarch of Australia is King Charles III, who ascended the throne in 2022. The monarch is represented at the federal level by the governor-general, who is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister of Australia.
Australia is a federation of six states and ten territories. The six states agreed to form the country in 1901, and the federal Australian Parliament was created. The states have their own legislatures and are responsible for making laws on matters that are not exclusively reserved for the federal parliament.
Australia has a highly diverse culture and is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world. About a quarter of its population was born outside the country, and it has one of the highest foreign-born populations globally. The country has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
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Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse nations
Australia is a country that comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It is also sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often dubbed the "island continent".
The country has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. People come from the United Kingdom and other European countries, as well as from China, Vietnam, North Africa, and the Middle East. This diversity is a result of Australia's unique history, including a diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, a British colonial past, and extensive immigration from many different countries and cultures.
Australia's culture and ecosystem are heavily influenced by its remote location. The country has 516 national parks to protect its unique plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world, such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala. The Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Queensland, is the greatest mass of coral in the world and one of the world's foremost tourist attractions.
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Australia is home to the world's oldest continuous culture
Australia is officially the Commonwealth of Australia and is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is the world's smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by total area.
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.
The rich history of Aboriginal Australians is further evidenced by the discovery of the world's oldest known axe, dating between 45,000 and 49,000 years old, and the remains of Lady Mungo and Mungo Man, dated to 40,000 years old.
Australia has a highly diverse culture, with one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. It has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. Its unique flora and fauna, along with its global isolation and low relief, contribute to its distinct character.
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Australia has a highly developed economy
Australia is a highly developed country with a mixed economy. As of 2023, it was the 14th-largest national economy by nominal GDP, the 19th-largest by PPP-adjusted GDP, and was the 21st-largest goods exporter and 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. The country also has a strong and growing capital market with a well-developed bond market and a large and liquid stock market. The Australian Securities Exchange in Sydney is the 16th-largest stock exchange in the world in terms of domestic market capitalisation.
Australia's economic system is highly diversified, focusing strongly on services, particularly finance, insurance, and tourism. The main economic sectors driving Australia's economy include the service sector, the manufacturing sector, and the mining sector, which accounted for around 70%, 8%, and 6% of total economic output, respectively. The country is also a significant exporter of minerals and raw materials, such as coal, natural gas, and iron ore, and it is home to several major manufacturing industries.
Australia's natural resources, including minerals, energy, and agricultural land, contribute significantly to its economic growth and prosperity. The country is a major exporter of agricultural goods like wheat, beef, fruit, wine, and wool. It is also rich in minerals and metals and is the world's fourth-largest producer of gold. In 2018-19, the mining sector accounted for 8.5% of Australia's GDP, and minerals and fuels accounted for 50.9% of its goods and services exports.
Australia's economy is strongly intertwined with the countries of East and Southeast Asia, known as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), accounting for about 64% of exports in 2016. China is Australia's main export and import partner by a wide margin. Australia also has a highly efficient and robust social security system, comprising roughly 25% of GDP. The country has a highly skilled workforce, with a high percentage of the population having completed tertiary education. Innovation drives Australian enterprise, science, and research sectors, and the government has implemented a National Innovation and Science Agenda to support business growth, local jobs, and global success.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is a country. It is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia and is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Australia is sometimes referred to as an "island nation" because it does not share land borders with any other country. However, the term "island nation" typically refers to a country composed of an island or group of islands. Australia is unique in that it is the only country that covers an entire continent.
Australia is considered a continent by many. It is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. However, some people argue that Oceania is the continent and Australia is just a country within it.
The capital of Australia is Canberra. It is located in the southeast region of the country, between the larger cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
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