Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world by total area. Australia is considered a Western country, despite being further east than Japan. Its federal form of government, democratic ideals, and alignment with NATO countries like the US contribute to this classification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geography | The smallest continent, sixth-largest country by area, and the largest island |
| The mainland has an average height of 325 metres | |
| The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia | |
| The landscape in the northern and western regions consists of broad plateaus and mountain ranges | |
| The coastline is rugged and dangerous with strong currents | |
| The country has a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast | |
| It has a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries | |
| Political System | Federal form of government with a national government and individual state governments |
| Each state has a constitution and exercises a limited degree of sovereignty | |
| Economy | Highly developed with one of the highest per capita incomes globally |
| Abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations | |
| Has the world's thirteenth-highest military expenditure | |
| Member of international groups including the UN, G20, OECD, WTO, and the Pacific Community | |
| Culture | Diverse culture with one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world |
| Democratic form of governance as a colony of the UK | |
| Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympic Games | |
| Has a strong interest in the proximity of huge potential markets in Asia |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's democratic governance
Australia is considered a Western country due to its democratic governance. Australia's democratic beliefs were developed over more than 200 years on Australian soil, influenced by English democratic traditions stemming back to the Magna Carta, and the concept of democracy in Ancient Greece.
When Australia federated, it became a constitutional monarchy with a system of government – parliament, executive government and judiciary system – and separates power between them and the states. The country's constitution also establishes the head of state, where Australia's highest official is the British Crown, represented by the Governor-General.
The Westminster system, a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled on the politics of the United Kingdom and the United States of America, is followed by Australia. The majority party forms the government, and their leader becomes the Prime Minister. The Senate is composed of Senators who represent their state and territory, scrutinise bills and refer them to inquiries. Notably, Australia was one of the first countries where Senators are elected by citizens rather than the heads of each state.
Australia's federation and transition to a democratic form of government were comparatively peaceful. People from six British colonies negotiated, designed a constitution and voted to join a unified system of government. This process involved adopting democratic landmarks and practices from different colonies into the new Federation.
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Australia's geographical location
Australia is considered a Western country, despite its geographical location further east than many countries that are considered Eastern, such as Japan. This classification is due to several factors, including historical, cultural, and political influences.
Firstly, Australia has strong historical ties to Western nations, particularly the United Kingdom. As a former British colony, Australia inherited democratic governance and cultural influences from the UK, which are typically associated with Western societies.
Secondly, Australia's geographical isolation has contributed to its Western classification. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia is approximately 12,000 miles (19,000 km) from the UK and 7,000 miles (11,000 km) from the west coast of the United States. This isolation has fostered a sense of independence and uniqueness that sets Australia apart from many Eastern countries.
Additionally, the country has a highly urbanized population, with a diverse and highly foreign-born population. Australia has one of the highest per capita incomes globally, a highly developed economy, and abundant natural resources. It ranks highly in various indicators, including quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
In terms of specific geographical features, Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by total area. It is sometimes referred to as the "island continent" and has a diverse range of landscapes and climates, including arid and semi-arid regions, as well as tropical rainforests along the coast. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. The country also has a relatively flat mainland, with an average height of 325 meters (1,066 feet) compared to 870 meters (2,850 feet) for all continents.
In conclusion, Australia's geographical location encompasses a diverse range of landscapes and climates, contributing to its unique position as a Western country in the Southern Hemisphere. Its isolation, economic development, and cultural influences have played a significant role in shaping its identity as a nation.
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Australia's cultural diversity
Australia is considered a Western country, despite its geographical location further east than some countries that are considered Eastern, such as Japan. This classification as a Western nation is due in part to its historical ties as a colony of the UK, as well as its democratic form of governance.
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a culturally diverse country with a highly urbanized population of nearly 28 million people. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by area and the largest in Oceania. The country's population is heavily concentrated along the eastern seaboard, particularly in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
Australia has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world, contributing to its cultural diversity. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) employs a multidimensional approach to understanding ethnicity in the country, taking into account factors such as country of birth, year of arrival, ancestry, language, and religion.
The country has a rich Indigenous history, with Aboriginal Australians speaking 250 distinct languages and possessing one of the oldest living cultures in the world before the arrival of British settlers. Australia's cultural diversity is further reflected in its religious landscape, with a notable proportion of the population identifying as having no religious affiliation.
Additionally, Australia is a key player in space exploration, with various facilities supporting deep space exploration missions, primarily by NASA. The country also boasts a high standard of living, ranking highly in quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
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Australia's economic influence
Australia is considered a Western country, despite being further east than Japan. As a colony of the UK, Australia is governed in a democratic way, which is a key reason why it is considered Western.
Australia has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. As of June 2021, the country's GDP was estimated at $1.98 trillion. Australia has supported economic growth for over 20 consecutive years, with its per capita GDP growth outperforming that of New Zealand, the US, Canada, and the Netherlands.
The Australian 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 has abundant natural resources, and its economy is heavily influenced by international trade. In 2016, 64% of exports went to East and Southeast Asian countries, with China being Australia's main export and import partner.
Australia has entered into free trade agreements with several countries, including China, the US, Japan, and New Zealand, with the latter resulting in increased economic integration between the two countries. Australia's economic performance has also been influenced by its mining industry, which accounted for 8.4% of GDP during the boom years of 2009-2010.
In summary, Australia's economic influence is characterised by a strong service sector, abundant natural resources, and a diverse range of international trade relationships, contributing to its status as a highly developed economy within the Western world.
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Australia's colonial history
Australia is considered a Western country, despite its geographical location east of Asian countries like Japan. This perception is largely due to Australia's historical ties to Western nations, particularly as a former British colony.
The colonial history of Australia began in 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson on the lands of the Eora people. This marked the establishment of the penal colony of New South Wales as part of the British Empire. The early colonial period was characterised by the transportation of convicts to the colony, with approximately 161,700 convicts, including 25,000 women, sent to New South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, and Western Australia between 1788 and 1868. These convicts played a significant role in the colony's development, contributing skills in building, farming, sailing, fishing, and hunting. They also worked on government farms and public works projects, such as land clearing and construction.
During this period, the colony's economy was primarily based on farming, fishing, whaling, trade, and construction using convict labour. The British settlement gradually expanded, but by 1820, it was still largely confined to a 100-kilometre radius around Sydney and the central plain of Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania). From 1816 onwards, penal transportation to Australia increased rapidly, and the number of free settlers also grew steadily.
In 1825, Van Diemen's Land became a separate colony, and free settlements were established in Western Australia, South Australia, and the Port Philip District in the following decades. The expansion of grazing lands for cattle and sheep led to increasing conflict with Aboriginal people as their traditional lands were encroached upon. The growing population of free settlers, former convicts, and Australian-born individuals fuelled demands for representative government.
The social and economic development of the colony was also influenced by notable figures such as Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. Macquarie played a pivotal role in transitioning New South Wales from a penal colony to a budding civil society. Additionally, individuals like William Redfern, a convict and surgeon, and William Bland, a convict and qualified surgeon who later pursued a political career, made significant contributions to medicine and surgery in the colony.
In summary, Australia's colonial history during the 19th century was marked by British colonisation, the transportation of convicts, economic development, social and political transformations, and cultural interactions between the colonists and the indigenous Aboriginal populations. This period laid the foundation for Australia's eventual transition from a penal colony to a civil society and its establishment as a Western country in the modern era.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is considered a Western country, despite being further east than Japan. Australia is a colony of the UK and has a democratic form of government, which is characteristic of Western nations.
The terms "Western" and "Eastern" are often used to refer to the geopolitical divide between the US-led West and the Soviet-led East during the Cold War. Western countries were those that were members of NATO or aligned with the United States, while Eastern countries were those in the Soviet sphere of influence, including the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries.
Western countries are often culturally powerful and comparatively rich, with a strong influence on the rest of the world. They are also typically characterized by democratic forms of government and strong military capabilities.
