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Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is a federation of six states and two federal territories, with the states having their own state governments, while the territories are under the control of the federal government. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is located entirely within New South Wales and is home to Australia's capital city, Canberra. New South Wales (NSW) is Australia's oldest state and contains the most populous city in Australia, Sydney. Other states include Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Geographical Position | Sixth-largest country in the world, largest in Oceania |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, and federation |
| Number of States | Six |
| Number of Federal Territories | Two |
| Area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) |
| Population | 24.6 million |
| Capital | Canberra |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia is a federation of states and territories
- The country is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia
- Australian states have their own governments, territories are controlled federally
- Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area
- The capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory
Australia is a federation of states and territories
Australia is a federation of six states and two federal territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The federal territories are the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory on the Australian mainland, and seven 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 state and internal territory, except the Jervis Bay Territory, has its own legislature, although the Federal Parliament can override territorial legislation. The federal High Court of Australia acts as the final court of appeal for all matters and has the authority to override any state judiciary. 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 Australian states were separate even before Australia’s federal government was created, so these states have their own state governments, whereas territories are under the control of the federal government. New South Wales, for example, has its own government and Sydney, the most populated city in Australia, is often mistaken for the country's capital.
The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a system of federalism in the country.
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The country is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia
Australia is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by area, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 sq mi). Australia is geographically large but sparsely populated, with around 24.6 million people calling the country home.
The country is divided into six states and two federal territories. The six states are New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The federal territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Each state has its own state government, while the territories are controlled by the federal government.
The capital of New South Wales is Sydney, Australia's most populous city. Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympic Games and is known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Queensland's capital, Brisbane, is known for its year-round sunshine and proximity to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, renowned for their beaches. Victoria, the smallest of the mainland states, is home to Melbourne, the country's second-most populous city. Melbourne boasts cultural attractions such as the National Gallery of Victoria and sporting landmarks like the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is known for its vibrant festival scene and love of football. Tasmania, the smallest state, is separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait and is known for its natural beauty, including its national parks and wilderness areas. Western Australia, occupying the entire western third of the mainland, has a desert in the east and a scenic coastline in the west, with its capital, Perth, boasting a Mediterranean climate. The Northern Territory, occupying the north-central part of the mainland, is home to sacred Aboriginal sites such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), located entirely within New South Wales, is home to the capital city of Canberra, a planned city with a unique design.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. It is one of the world's oldest federations, with power divided between the federal and state governments. The country maintains a stable liberal democratic political system and has a unique hybrid government system that combines elements from the UK and US political traditions.
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Australian states have their own governments, territories are controlled federally
Australia is a federation of six states and two federal territories. The country is divided into states and territories, with each state having its own government, while the territories are controlled by the federal government.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. Each of these states has its own government, and they were separate even before the federal government was created. For instance, New South Wales, the oldest state in Australia, has its own parliament and laws. The state is famous for the city of Sydney, which is the most populated city in Australia. Queensland is the second-largest state in size, and its capital, Brisbane, is known for its sunshine and warmth. Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states, but it is home to the country's second-most populated city, Melbourne, which boasts several major tourist destinations. South Australia's capital, Adelaide, is known for its wineries and festivals. Tasmania is the smallest state and is separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait. Western Australia offers a diverse landscape, with deserts in the east and a scenic coastline in the west.
The two territories of Australia are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory has a chief minister, who is appointed by an administrator. The Australian Capital Territory, which includes the city of Canberra, gained self-governance in 1989, although it still has certain Commonwealth controls.
In addition to the six states and two territories, Australia also has several external territories, such as the Coral Sea Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Heard Island, and Norfolk Island. These external territories are federally administered and not part of any state or internal territory.
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Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It has a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania.
Australia is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often dubbed the "island continent". It has 35,877 kilometres (22,293 miles) of coastline (excluding all offshore islands) and claims an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 square miles). Australia is also a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast.
The country is divided into six states and two federal territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. The two territories are the Jervis Bay Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. Each state has its own government, while the territories are controlled by the federal government.
Australia has a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre of total land area, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The country has a total population of approximately 24.6 million people, with the majority of the population concentrated in large urban areas.
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The capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory
Australia is a federation of six states and two federal territories. The capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Canberra is the territory's primate city and is located in southeastern Australia, about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney. It is an enclave surrounded by the state of New South Wales.
Canberra has been the fastest-growing city in Australia in recent years, with a 23.3% growth between 2011 and 2021. The median age of its residents is 35 years, and only 12.7% of the population is aged over 65. The city is home to several important institutions of the federal government, national monuments, and museums. These include the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the Australian National University, and the Australian Defence Force Academy.
Canberra was officially named on 12 March 1913, after an international competition to design the future capital was won by Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1912. The territory was transferred to the federal government by New South Wales in 1911, two years before the capital city was founded. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) provides all constabulary services in the territory, similar to state police forces, under a contractual agreement with the ACT Government.
The ACT has a locally elected legislative assembly that has governed the territory since 1988. However, the Commonwealth maintains authority over the territory and can disallow or overturn local laws. The territory also hosts the majority of foreign embassies in Australia, as well as regional headquarters for many international organisations, non-profit groups, lobbying groups, and professional associations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is a country, officially the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a federation of six states and two federal territories.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia.
The two federal territories of Australia are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory.
Western Australia occupies the entire western third of the Australian mainland and is the largest state.
