Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a country that covers an entire continent, making it the world's smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by land area. It is divided into six states and ten federal territories, with each state having its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. The states are partially sovereign and have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government. Australia's unique geography, diverse ecosystems, and cultural offerings make it a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 6 |
| Number of territories | 10 |
| Number of internal territories | 3 |
| Number of external territories | 7 |
| Size | Sixth-largest country in the world by land area |
| Population | 2.965 million (as of June 2024) |
| Status of territories | Self-governing with their own independent executive government, legislature, and judicial system |
| Status of external territories | Governed by the federal government or the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts |
| Status of Jervis Bay Territory | Locally governed and overseen by federal departments |
| Legislature | Each state has its own constitution |
| Executive government | Each state has its own executive government |
| Judicial system | Each state has its own judicial system, with the Federal High Court of Australia as the final court of appeal |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's states and territories
Australia is a federation of six states and two internal territories, with another seven external territories. The six states are New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia. The internal territories are the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The seven external territories are the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
Each state and internal territory (excluding the Jervis Bay Territory) has its own legislature and judicial system, although the Federal Parliament and the High Court of Australia can override territorial legislation and judicial decisions. The states are partially sovereign, having ceded some rights to the federal government, and have their own constitutions, executive governments, judiciaries, and law enforcement agencies. The territories are legally subordinate to the federal government, but can be autonomous and administer local policies and programs.
Each state is a successor to a historical British colony. New South Wales is Australia's oldest state and contains Sydney, the country's most populous city. Queensland is known as the 'Sunshine State' and is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and the Whitsunday Islands. South Australia is known as the 'Festival State' and is home to a thriving arts scene. Tasmania, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait, is Australia's smallest state and is known for its natural beauty. Victoria is home to Melbourne, which has been named the 'Most Liveable City in the World' multiple times. Western Australia is the largest state and is known for its dramatic landscapes, including the Kimberley Region and Rottnest Island.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to Canberra, the nation's capital, and important institutions such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Gallery of Australia. The Northern Territory is home to famous landmarks such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). The external territories are mostly governed by the federal government, with the exception of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and the Australian Antarctic Territory, which are governed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water.
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The Australian Capital Territory
Australia is divided into six states and ten territories, three of which are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory on the Australian mainland. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938, is an internal territory of Australia. Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is situated within the territory, and is the territory's primate city. It is located in southeastern Australia as an enclave surrounded by the state of New South Wales (NSW). The territory was transferred to the federal government by New South Wales in 1911, two years prior to the capital city being founded and formally named as Canberra in 1913. While the overwhelming majority of the territory population resides in the city of Canberra in the territory's northeast, the territory also includes some towns such as Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra, Tharwa, and Hall. The territory also includes the Namadgi National Park, which comprises the majority of the land area of the territory. The western boundary of the territory follows the watershed of the Brindabella Range, a northern extension of the Snowy Mountains. The territory’s southern and western parts are mountainous, reaching a maximum height of 6,279 feet (1,914 meters) at Bimberi Peak. The area is drained by the Murrumbidgee River, which flows from the Snowy Mountains northward through the territory. The boundaries of the territory were drawn in part to provide Canberra with its own water supply. The Australian Capital Territory has a continental climate with marked seasonal and diurnal variations in temperature. Temperatures range between 14 and 108 °F (−10 and 42 °C); the daily maximum often exceeds 86 °F (30 °C) in summer (December through February). During the winter (June through August), temperatures are lower, and the higher parts of the mountains are covered with snow.
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Australia's external territories
Australia has six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. In addition to these states, Australia also has ten federal territories, out of which three are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory on the Australian mainland. The remaining seven are external territories: the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
Each external territory is regulated by an Act of the federal Parliament, which contains the majority of provisions determining the legal and political structure applying in that external territory. Under Section 122 of the Australian Constitution, the federal Parliament has the power to make laws for all territories, including external territories. While all states and internal territories have their own judicial system, most external territories are subject to the judiciary and legislature of either a state or internal territory.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, together with Christmas Island, comprise the Australian Indian Ocean Territories. Commonwealth laws apply automatically to these territories, and residents are associated with the Northern Territory for federal elections. The Heard Island and McDonald Islands, though uninhabited, are treated as constitutionally part of Australia by the central government. Norfolk Island, on the other hand, has a controversial status. While the Australian government has taken measures to integrate the territory, the Norfolk Islanders have not formally consented to this change and do not consider themselves Australian.
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The population of Australia's states
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. The six states are New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), and Western Australia (WA). The two territories are the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory.
New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia, with Sydney, its capital, being the most populous city in the country. New South Wales is also considered the richest state in Australia. Queensland is known as the 'Sunshine State' due to its subtropical climate and sunny weather. Brisbane, the state capital, is known for its winter sunshine and warmth. South Australia is the fifth-most populous state in Australia, accounting for about 7% of the country's population. Adelaide, the state capital, is home to about 5% of the country's total population. Tasmania, separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait, is known for its dazzling beaches, rugged mountains, and picturesque landscapes. Victoria is the cultural heart of Australia, with its capital, Melbourne, having been named the 'Most Liveable City in the World' multiple times. Western Australia is the largest state in terms of land area, accounting for about 33% of the country's total area. Perth, the state capital, is the fourth-largest city in Australia and is known for its serene, uncrowded beaches and fresh seafood.
The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory do not have constitutional status as states, but they operate indistinguishably from the states in many aspects. The Australian Capital Territory is home to Canberra, the nation's capital, and is renowned for blending nature and culture.
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Australia's status as the world's largest island
Australia is considered a continent and the world's smallest at that. However, there is no strict scientific definition of a continent, and Australia is sometimes referred to as the world's largest island.
The debate around whether Australia is an island or not has been ongoing for centuries. In 1813, Samuel Butler wrote of Australia as "New Holland, an immense island, which some geographers dignify with the appellation of another continent". By the late 18th century, some geographers considered Australia a continent in its own right, while others still considered it a large island.
There are a few criteria that are commonly used to distinguish a continent from an island. The first is a geological distinction. While Australia and most of Asia sit on separate tectonic plates, Greenland, which is often considered the world's largest island, shares a tectonic plate with North America. The second distinction is biological. A large percentage of Australia's plant and animal species are unique to the continent, while fewer of Greenland's species are unique. The third distinction is anthropological. Aboriginal people are limited to Australia, while indigenous Greenlanders belong to a group of people (the Inuit) found throughout the Arctic, including parts of Canada, the United States, and Russia.
Australia is surrounded by the Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans and has a mainland coastline of 32,994 kilometres (20,502 mi). It has a total of six federated states: New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia.
In conclusion, while Australia is considered a continent, its status as the world's largest island is still a subject of debate, with some arguing that its unique geographical, biological, and anthropological features set it apart from other continents.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is not a megastate. Australia is a country that is divided into six states and ten federal territories.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
The three internal federal territories of Australia are the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory. The seven external territories are the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
