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Australia is a country and a continent in its own right, but it is also part of a wider region known as Oceania. The definition of a continent is not entirely clear-cut, but Australia is surrounded by water, has its own continental shelf, and sits on its own tectonic plate, which is why it is considered a continent. Australia is officially the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with a highly urbanised population of almost 28 million people.
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a country and a continent
The Australian continent, sometimes known as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia, includes the mainland of Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea. It is the smallest, lowest, and flattest continent, and the second-driest after Antarctica. Australia is surrounded by water, and its isolation has allowed it to support Indigenous groups with distinct cultures, as well as unique wildlife.
The distinction between the country and the continent of Australia can be confusing, as the country comprises most of the continent. The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as an "island continent", and the country of Australia is sometimes informally called an island. However, the country and the continent are not the same thing, as the continent of Australia also includes Papua New Guinea and parts of Indonesia.
The definition of a continent is not always clear-cut, and there is some disagreement about whether Australia is its own continent or part of the continent of Oceania. In physical geography, a continent is a large landmass with a continental shelf and usually a single tectonic plate. By this definition, Australia is a continent, as it has its own continental shelf and tectonic plate.
In political geography, a continent is a group of countries that share proximity and often cultural aspects. By this definition, Australia is not a continent, as it is a single country. However, the continent of Oceania, which includes Australia, is a group of countries that share proximity, so it can be considered a continent.
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Australia's geography and ecosystems
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is the smallest continent in terms of total land area and the sixth-largest country in the world by area of jurisdiction, covering a territorial area of 7,688,287 square kilometres. Australia is a megadiverse country, with a diverse range of habitats, from alpine heaths to tropical rainforests. It is also one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world, with nearly a quarter of its population born in other countries.
The geography of Australia can be broken down into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Coastal Plains are the most densely populated geographic areas of the country, with 73% of inhabitants living in the major coastal urban centres. The Eastern Highlands include the Great Dividing Range, a 2,300-mile stretch of mountains that send water down into Australia's most important rivers and the Great Artesian Basin. The Central Lowlands are home to the Outback, a region of deserts and semi-arid land with scorching temperatures, little water, and almost no vegetation. The Western Plateau includes the snow-capped mountains of the Australian Alps and Tasmania.
Australia supports a vast array of ecosystem types, with 89 large geographically distinct bioregions and 419 subregions based on common climate, geology, landform, native vegetation, and species information. These ecosystems are the basis for life in Australia, providing habitats, promoting food chains and webs, and controlling ecological cycles and processes. However, Australia's unique ecosystems are vulnerable to the effects of global warming and climate change. The country has experienced an increase of over 1.5 °C in average annual temperatures since the beginning of the 20th century, with warming occurring at twice the rate in the past 50 years compared to the previous 50. As a result, Australia has become more susceptible to wildfires, droughts, and cyclones.
At least 19 Australian ecosystems have been reported to show signs of collapse or near-collapse, with habitat modification or destruction occurring in 18 ecosystems and climate change, invasive species, storms, and fires affecting many others. The Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia's most famous ecosystems, is also at risk due to rising sea levels and climate change. To protect its unique plants and animals, Australia has established 516 national parks and numerous protected areas, including World Heritage sites like the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.
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Australia's unique wildlife
Australia is a country and a continent, located within the Southern and Eastern hemispheres. It is the smallest, lowest, and flattest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world. Australia is known for its unique wildlife, which has evolved separately from that of many other parts of the world due to its long geographic isolation. The country has a wide range of ecosystems, and about 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds are endemic.
Some of Australia's unique wildlife species include kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, dingoes, platypuses, echidnas, and the Tasmanian Devil. The Tasmanian Devil, for example, plays a crucial role in Tasmania's ecosystem by performing natural pest control on introduced animals that threaten native wildlife. Australia is also home to a diverse range of flora, with about 10% of the world's known plant species found in the country.
Australia's geographical isolation and unique climate have contributed to the development of its distinct wildlife. The continent has experienced changes in land formation and climate over millions of years, leading to the evolution of its flora and fauna. The country also has a semi-arid to arid climate, with desert regions in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast, providing diverse habitats for its wildlife.
While Australia is known for its unique wildlife, it also faces challenges in conservation. Introduced species, invasive species, land clearing, and fragmentation of ecosystems pose threats to the country's native species and biodiversity. Efforts are being made to protect and preserve Australia's unique ecosystems and endangered native species through the creation of protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
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Australia's government and economy
Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and ten territories. The Australian Constitution of 1901 established a federal system of government, based on the British (Westminster) tradition of government. Powers are distributed between a national government (the Commonwealth) and the six states (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia). The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have self-government arrangements.
Australia has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. It has the world's 14th-largest economy with the second-highest human development index globally. Australia also has the world's 9th-largest immigrant population. The country's abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations are crucial to its economy. Australia is a relatively open, trade-exposed economy, meaning that changes in other countries' demand for its goods and services can significantly impact its economy.
Mining has contributed significantly to Australia's economic growth, from the gold rush in the 1840s to the present day. The large-scale investment in the mining sector, alongside higher incomes, has increased overall demand in the Australian economy, leading to increased labour demand, downward pressure on the unemployment rate, and upward pressure on wages, resulting in higher inflation. Australia's mining operations have secured continued economic growth, with Western Australia benefiting strongly from mining iron ore and gold from the 1960s to the 1970s, fuelling the rise of suburbanisation and consumerism in Perth and other regional centres.
Australia's economy has demonstrated resilience during global crises, such as the 2008-2009 global recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the global recession, Australia avoided negative year-end GDP growth due to factors such as government stimulus spending, its proximity to the booming Chinese economy, and the related mining boom. However, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a recession in 2020, leading to ongoing economic challenges, including surging inflation, exceeding migration targets, and worsening housing affordability.
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Australia's history and culture
Australia is officially the Commonwealth of Australia, a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and ten territories. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world by area. It is considered a megadiverse country, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts, tropical rainforests, and beautiful beaches.
The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from Southeast Asia 50,000 to 65,000 years ago, and by the time of British settlement, they spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Australia's written history began with Dutch exploration of most of its coastline in the 17th century, followed by the arrival of the first British settlers in 1788, which introduced Western civilisation to the continent. The British settlement laid the foundations for Australia's democratic institutions, rule of law, and introduced long traditions of English literature, Western art and music, and Judeo-Christian ethics, which shaped the country's national culture and identity.
The history of Australia is also marked by conflict and corruption. The New South Wales Corps, formed in 1789, was involved in the corrupt and lucrative rum trade in the colony. This led to the Rum Rebellion of 1808, where the Corps, along with wool trader John Macarthur, staged the only successful armed takeover of the government, deposing Governor William Bligh. Australia's involvement in World War I profoundly impacted the country, ushering in the heroic ANZAC legend. After World War II, 6.5 million people settled in Australia from 200 nations, enriching its culture and diversity.
Today, Australia is known for its laid-back and easy-going attitude, with a strong emphasis on mateship and a welcoming spirit. Its diverse landscapes, from the stunning beaches to the rugged outback, provide a backdrop for a nature-loving lifestyle. Australians are passionate about sports, with cricket, rugby, Australian Rules Football, and tennis being popular cultural traditions. The country also boasts a thriving beach culture, with countless ways to enjoy the coastline, from surfing and fishing to simply soaking up the sunshine. Australia's rich multiculturalism influences its food, celebrations, and way of life, making it a unique and captivating country.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is its own country. It is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia and is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Australia is considered both a country and a continent. The definition of a continent is not concrete, but Australia has its own continental shelf and tectonic plate, which is why it is considered a continent.
Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by total area. It is located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres and is part of the geographical region of Oceania. It has a diverse range of landscapes and climates, including deserts and tropical rainforests.
Aboriginal Australians have lived in Australia for at least 60,000 years and spoke 250 distinct languages by the time of British settlement. In the late 1700s, James Cook claimed Australia as part of the British Empire, and British colonies were established in 1788. On January 1, 1901, these colonies united to become the nation of Australia.
