Leslie Massey
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), which equates to five per cent of the world's land area. Although it is the smallest continental land mass, it is the largest island. Comparatively, Australia is about the same size as continental USA. To put it into perspective, driving from Perth to Sydney takes 41 hours and covers the same distance as travelling from Spain to Syria. Given these facts, one may wonder: is Australia big enough?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land area | 2.989 million square miles or 7,688,287 km2 |
| World ranking | Sixth-largest country |
| Oceania ranking | Largest country |
| Comparison with USA | Similar size to continental USA |
| Distance from Perth to Sydney | 3930 kilometers or 2442 miles |
| Distance from Sydney to Perth | Similar to the distance from New York to Los Angeles |
| Population | 28 million |
| Population comparison with the USA | The whole of Australia has about the same number of people living in it as the state of Texas |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by total area, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It is also the smallest continental land mass and the world's largest island. To put this into perspective, the distance between Perth and Sydney in Australia is comparable to the distance between New York and Los Angeles on the US East and West Coasts, respectively. Similarly, the distance between Broome and Sydney in Australia is roughly the same as the distance between England and Turkey.
Australia's land area accounts for just five percent of the world's land area. The country is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor Seas. It has a coastline of 35,877 kilometres, a length roughly equal to the eastern coastline of the US. Australia also has a large region in the Antarctica called the 'Australian Antarctic Territory', which covers nearly half of the Antarctic continent.
Australia is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates. These include deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. The Great Barrier Reef, located off Australia's northeast coast, is the world's largest coral reef, extending for more than 2,300 kilometres.
In terms of its economy, Australia is ranked fourteenth-largest by nominal terms and eighteenth-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). It has a high-income mixed-market economy that is rich in natural resources. As of 2021, Australia has the second-highest amount of wealth per adult, after Luxembourg, and the thirteenth-highest financial assets per capita. The large service sector accounts for about 71.2% of total GDP, followed by the industrial sector (25.3%), while the agriculture sector makes up 3.6% of total GDP.
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Australia is the smallest continent
The continent is situated in the geographical region of Oceania, specifically in the subregion of Australasia. It is sometimes referred to as Meganesia, Australinea, or Sahul, the latter of which derives from the Sahul Shelf, a part of the Australian continent's continental shelf.
In terms of size, Australia is about the same size as continental USA. To put it in perspective, travelling from Sydney to Perth in Australia is comparable to travelling from New York to Los Angeles in the USA. However, Australia's population is significantly less than that of the USA, with Australia's population being similar to that of the state of Texas.
Australia is also the planet's sixth-largest country, accounting for just 5% of the world's land area. It is the world's largest island and the second-driest continent after Antarctica.
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Sydney to Perth is like New York to LA
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, covering 7,688,287 square kilometres, or 2.989 million square miles. It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area. While it is the smallest continental land mass, it is the largest island in the world.
To put Australia's size into perspective, the distance between Sydney and Perth on the country's east and west coasts is comparable to the distance between New York and Los Angeles. The drive from Sydney to Perth is approximately 3,930 kilometres or 2,442 miles, which takes around 41 hours. In contrast, the drive from New York to Los Angeles is about 2,795 miles, which takes around 42 hours.
The vast distance between Sydney and Perth is not just a matter of geography but also cultural. One Reddit user commented that between Paris and Moscow, there are numerous countries, languages, cultures, and cuisines, whereas between Sydney and Perth, there are rectangular and oval football fields.
While the distance is comparable, the cultural differences between the two American cities and the two Australian cities are distinct. Sydney has been described as cleaner, cheaper, warmer, and with fewer homeless people than New York. New York, on the other hand, is known for its hustle and bustle, with a 24/7 lifestyle that Sydney does not quite match.
Perth and Los Angeles share some similarities, such as being surrounded by water and having ferry services and large bridges to access surrounding areas. However, Perth is described as having a slower pace than Los Angeles, with a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
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Australia is nearly four times larger than Greenland
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, covering 7,688,287 square kilometres or 2.989 million square miles. It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area and is the smallest continental land mass. Despite this, it is nearly four times larger than Greenland, which covers 2,166,086 square kilometres or 836,000 square miles.
The difference in size is significant, with Australia boasting a land area almost double that of Greenland. This is despite the fact that Australia is the smallest continent, while Greenland is considered the world's largest island.
The two regions are also distinct in terms of their flora and fauna. Australia is known for its unique animal species, including kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, and wombats, which are rare in other parts of the world. In contrast, Greenland's flora and fauna are more typical of other regions, such as Canada, and its culture is closely related to that of North America.
The debate around Greenland and Australia's size is not just about numbers. Some argue that Greenland should be considered a continent, just like Australia. This argument is based on various factors, including population, culture, flora, and fauna. However, Australia's continental status is supported by its massive size and unique characteristics.
In summary, Australia is nearly four times larger than Greenland, and this size difference is just one factor that contributes to the distinct nature of these two regions.
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Australia has a diverse range of landscapes and climates
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country, accounting for just five per cent of the world's land area. It is the smallest continental land mass but the largest island. The country has a diverse range of landscapes and climates. It is relatively flat, low-lying, and dry compared to other continents. The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with freezing winters and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania.
The four main landform regions in Australia have been formed through movements in the Earth's crust, river erosion, and changes in climate and sea level. The Western Plateau is the largest landform region in Australia, while the Central Lowlands and Eastern Highlands are the lowest and highest, respectively. Tasmania, the small island to the south of the mainland, is part of the Eastern Highlands.
The tropical zone is in the far north of Australia. The temperate zone, which includes Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, enjoys relatively warm temperatures all year round. Places like Longreach and Brisbane have hot summers and mild winters. The subtropical zone is home to most of the world's deserts, with extremely high temperatures and low humidity. Summers can reach as high as 50 °C, while winters are cold, with regular frosts.
Australia experiences a variety of seasons, ranging from endless summers in the north to chilly winters in Tasmania. The country does experience four distinct seasons in some regions, but these patterns vary depending on the specific climate zone. Some areas have temperate conditions with the traditional spring, summer, autumn, and winter, while others have a more tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. Spring, from September to November, is a great time to visit Australia, as nature reawakens, and the weather is calm and clear. Summer, from December to February, is marked by balmy weather and lively beaches. Autumn, from March to May, sees a subtle shift in foliage colours, with moderating temperatures and longer evenings. Winter, from June to August, brings snow to the southern mountains and overcast skies and powerful waves to the coast.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has a land area of 2.989 million square miles or 7,688,287 square kilometres. This makes it the sixth-largest country in the world.
Australia is about the same size as continental USA. The distance from Sydney to Perth on the East to West Coast of Australia is comparable to the distance from New York to Los Angeles. Australia is nearly four times as large as Greenland.
Australia is a large country, and travel across the country may take a significant amount of time. For example, driving from Perth to Sydney takes 41 hours, covering a distance of 3930 kilometres or 2442 miles. Therefore, careful trip planning is required when travelling across Australia.
