Lexi Webster
Australia is a country and continent that is part of the region of Oceania. It is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor Seas. Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world by total area. It is highly urbanized, with a population of almost 28 million people. The country has a diverse culture and is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes many animal species found nowhere else in the world, such as the kangaroo and koala. While Australia is ethnically diverse, with a significant proportion of its population born in other countries, only 3.2% of its population is of North African and Middle Eastern ancestry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continent | Australia |
| Geographical Region | Oceania |
| Continent or Country | Australia is both a country and a continent |
| Number of Countries in the Continent | 1 |
| Country within the Continent | Australia |
| Number of Landmasses | 1 |
| Largest Landmass | Australia |
| Other Landmasses | Tasmania, New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Western New Guinea, Aru Islands, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands |
| Indigenous People | Aboriginal Australians |
| Language | English (de facto) |
| Population | 28 million |
| Diversity | Highly diverse, 24% of the population are immigrants |
| Economy | 14th largest in the world |
| Human Development Index | Second highest in the world |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a continent
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as an "island continent" due to its large size and the fact that it is surrounded by oceans. It is located within the Southern and Eastern hemispheres, near Maritime Southeast Asia. The continent includes a continental shelf overlain by shallow seas, which divide it into several landmasses, including the Arafura Sea and Torres Strait between mainland Australia and New Guinea, and the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania.
Australia is known for its diverse landscapes and climates, ranging from deserts in the interior to tropical rainforests along the coast. The Outback, a region of deserts and semi-arid land, is a defining feature of the continent. Australia is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, which extends for over 2,300 kilometres along the northeast coast.
In the past, the term "Oceania" was used to refer to the region that included Australia and various islands in the Pacific Ocean. However, in the 1950s, the concept of Australia as one of the world's continents became more widely accepted in English-speaking countries. Today, the term Oceania is often used to denote the region encompassing the Australian continent, Zealandia, and various islands in the Pacific Ocean that are not included in the seven-continent model.
While Australia is a continent, it is important to note that the country of Australia only comprises most of the continent, specifically the mainland, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The country of Australia has a diverse culture and one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. It has a highly urbanised population of almost 28 million people and is known for its high quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
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Australia is ethnically diverse
Australia is a highly ethnically diverse country, with one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world. The population of Australia is estimated to be around 28 million, with an average population density of 3.4 to 3.6 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Its population is highly urbanised, with 89% of people living in urban areas, particularly on the eastern, south-eastern and southern coastlines.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects information on cultural and ethnic diversity through the Census, including data on ancestry, country of birth, English proficiency, language spoken, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation. While the ABS does not collect data specifically on race and ethnic background, various studies have analysed census data to determine Australia's ethnic composition.
The country's cultural diversity is largely a result of its long history of immigration. Since the end of World War II, the proportion of overseas-born and second-generation migrants in Australia has steadily increased. In 2021, just over 7 million people in Australia were born overseas, representing 27.6% of the population. The discovery of gold in the mid-1800s also led to a significant rise in migration, with more than 600,000 people arriving between 1852 and 1860, mainly from the UK and Europe.
Australia's ethnic diversity is further reflected in its linguistic diversity. Maningrida, located on Australia's north-central coast, is one of the most linguistically diverse communities in the world, with 15 languages spoken or signed daily among a small population.
While the country has a diverse population, it is important to note that Australia has a history of systemic racism and policies that favoured European migration, such as the White Australia Policy, which prevented non-Europeans from settling in the country. Despite these historical challenges, Australia's cultural and ethnic diversity continues to grow, contributing to its rich and dynamic society.
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Australia's Aboriginal population
Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by total area. Australia is a highly urbanized country with a population of almost 28 million. It is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and ten territories. Its capital is Canberra, while its most populous cities are Sydney and Melbourne, both with a population of more than five million.
The Aboriginal Australians are the Indigenous people of Australia, with a history dating back thousands of years. The ancestors of the Aboriginal Australians migrated from Southeast Asia by sea during the Pleistocene epoch, making them among the first in the world to have completed sea voyages. They lived over large sections of the Australian continental shelf when the sea levels were lower, and Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea were part of the same landmass, known as Sahul. As sea levels rose, the people on the Australian mainland and nearby islands became isolated.
Aboriginal Australians have a rich cultural heritage, with distinct languages, customs, and beliefs. At the time of British settlement, they spoke over 250 unique languages, and today, many Aboriginal communities continue to speak their traditional languages alongside English. The Aboriginal population in Australia today faces various challenges, including health and economic disparities, and ongoing dispossession and racism, which contribute to gaps in areas such as health, life expectancy, and imprisonment rates.
In the 2021 census, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprised 3.8% of Australia's population, with 812,728 people self-identifying as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin. This population is spread across Australia, with significant communities in Central Australia, such as the Pitjantjatjara, the Arrernte, the Luritja, and the Warlpiri. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have specific rights and protections as the first peoples of Australia, including the rights to speak and teach their native languages and customs, and to live on their ancestral lands.
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Australia's economy and natural resources
Australia's economy is the 14th largest in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of about $1.38 trillion. The country's service sector is the major economic driver, constituting 69% of GDP and employing about 75% of the nation's workforce. This includes tourism, education, financial services, health, and transport services.
However, natural resources are also integral to Australia's economy, constituting 5% of GDP. Australia is rich in natural resources and is a major exporter of agricultural products, minerals, and energy. In terms of agriculture, Australia exports wheat and wool. The country has plentiful supplies of minerals, including the second-largest accessible reserves of iron ore in the world, the fifth-largest reserves of coal, and significant gas resources. Other mineral resources include nickel, bauxite, diamonds, gold, mineral sands, and offshore natural gas. Australia is also the world's largest producer and exporter of natural rutile, ilmenite, zircon, and monazite.
The impact of natural resources on Australia's economy is particularly evident in the resource-rich states of Western Australia and Queensland, which have the highest concentration of known reserves. Almost all iron ore mining occurs in Western Australia, while two-thirds of coal mining is in Queensland. The bulk of natural gas production is also from these two states. The increase in mining investment has had a significant impact on the Australian economy, with mining revenues spilling over to other parts of the country.
While Australia's economy does not heavily rely on natural resources, sectors with a moderate to high direct dependence on nature, such as mining, real estate, transport, and agriculture, contribute significantly to the country's economy, accounting for over 33% of GDP and over three-quarters of export earnings. According to research, approximately half of Australia's GDP has a moderate to very high direct dependence on nature, highlighting the importance of the health and survival of natural systems for the country's economic prosperity.
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Australia's connection to the UK
Australia and the United Kingdom have a long history of collaboration in military affairs and intelligence sharing. They are both Commonwealth realms, sharing a monarch, and are active members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Historically, the UK was Australia's most prominent trading partner, with Australia providing the UK with wheat and wool, and in the 1880s, the UK was the source of 70% of Australia's imports and the destination for up to 80% of its exports. The Australian Pound was linked to the Pound Sterling, and Australian banks kept reserve balances in sterling. The UK was also a top destination for Australians travelling abroad, with around 30% of outbound tourists headed there in 1950, though this had dropped to 6% by 2013.
In recent years, the two countries have continued to strengthen their economic ties, with the UK being Australia's second-largest source of foreign investment, worth $879 billion in 2023, and its second-largest destination for total stock of investment abroad, valued at $732 billion. The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2021, will deliver benefits to businesses and create new job opportunities, with no tariffs on over 99% of Australian goods exports to the UK. The two countries also have a cultural partnership, with arts and higher education institutions collaborating on projects such as the UK/Australia Season 2021-22, exploring their shared heritage and creative innovation.
There is also a significant population of Australians in the UK, especially in London, and Australians and Britons enjoy freedom of movement between the two countries. The countries have a strong relationship, with 84% of Australians regarding the UK as trustworthy, and the two nations continue to work together on various initiatives, including the AUKUS security partnership.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is not an African country. Australia is a country that covers the entire Australian continent, which is separate from the continent of Africa.
Australia is part of the Australian continent, which is the smallest of the world's seven continents. The Australian continent is sometimes referred to as a large island and is located in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres.
The Australian continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea.
Oceania is a region that includes Australia and its external territories, as well as other countries and territories such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Hawaii. The term Oceania was used in the 19th century to refer to a "great division" of the world, and in the 1950s, it was replaced by the concept of Australia as one of the world's continents in English-speaking countries.
Yes, Australia is one of the world's most ethnically diverse nations, with a high proportion of foreign-born residents. In the 2021 census, 33.8% of Australians identified as having Oceanian ancestry, 17.4% as Asian, 3.2% as North African and Middle Eastern, and 1.3% as Sub-Saharan African.
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