Damon Mcknight
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 470 millimetres (19 inches). About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and about 18% is desert. The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre, with temperate and humid conditions in the coastal south. The country's position in the horse latitudes contributes to these arid conditions. As a result of its diverse landscapes and climates, Australia has a wide variety of flora and fauna. However, the country also experiences frequent droughts and flooding due to unusual variability in rainfall. With a high population of almost 28 million, Australia is among the world's highest consumers of water, which has led to an emphasis on water conservation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driest continent | Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. Antarctica is technically the driest continent but is uninhabited. |
| Average annual rainfall | 470 millimetres (19 inches) |
| Arid or semi-arid land | About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid. |
| Desert land | About 18% of the country is desert. |
| Water consumption | Australians are the greatest per capita consumers of water, using an average of 100,000 litres of freshwater per person each year. |
| Water scarcity | Australia is considered "water poor" and its freshwater resources are vulnerable to droughts caused by climate change. |
| Climate | 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 winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. |
| Latitude and longitude | Mainland Australia lies between latitudes 9° and 44° south, and longitudes 112° and 154° east. |
| Surrounding oceans | The Indian and Pacific Oceans |
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What You'll Learn
Australia: the driest inhabited continent
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth. It is the smallest continent, occupying a land mass of about 2.97 million square miles, which is about 5% of the Earth's total land mass. The driest continent, Antarctica, is uninhabited by human societies, except for transient research teams and explorers.
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 winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and about 18% is desert. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies off the northeast coast.
The climate of Australia is influenced by its position in the "horse latitudes", which tends to bring arid conditions. It is also influenced by ocean currents, which affect the dryness of the continent and contribute to the cyclones to the north of Australia, produced by seasonal tropical low-pressure systems. The country also experiences unusual variability in rainfall, leading to frequent droughts and flooding.
Despite being the driest inhabited continent, Australians are the greatest per capita consumers of water, using an average of 100,000 litres of freshwater per person each year. Water consumption levels vary throughout the country, from as little as 100 litres per person in some coastal areas to more than 800 litres per person in dry inland areas. As the country's supply of freshwater is vulnerable to droughts and climate change, there is an emphasis on water conservation, and various regions have imposed restrictions on water use.
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Water conservation in Australia
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 470mm. The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre, with about 70% of the country being arid or semi-arid, and about 18% desert. The country's limited and unpredictable rainfall is exacerbated by climate change, with the continent one degree warmer than a century ago and receiving significantly less rain.
Public awareness, infrastructure investment, innovation, and conservation efforts have improved Australia's water security. Many cities have restricted garden hosepipes and irrigation systems through voluntary Water Wise Measures. Melbourne, for example, has implemented permanent rules that have reduced daily water consumption to a target of 155 litres per person, well below the national average of 340 litres.
Other water-saving initiatives include:
- Planting 'waterwise' gardens with native plants that require less water.
- Training lawns to use less water by encouraging root growth.
- Keeping grass longer to shade the soil and reduce evaporation.
- Covering outdoor pools or spas when not in use to prevent evaporation.
Despite these efforts, the question remains: has Australia done enough? With a growing population and the impacts of climate change, the country must continue to innovate and adapt to secure its water future.
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Australia's varied climate
Australia has a varied climate influenced by its position in the "'horse latitudes", ocean currents, and various systems such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the Southern Annular Mode. The Australian mainland is the driest inhabited continent, with an average annual rainfall of 470 millimetres (19 inches). About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and around 18% is desert.
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 winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. Small portions of the southwest and southeast corners of the continent experience a temperate climate and have moderately fertile soils. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, with tropical rainforests, deserts, and grasslands.
Australia's size and location give it a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It has a 35,877-kilometre coastline (excluding all offshore islands) and claims an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies off the northeast coast and extends for more than 2,300 kilometres.
Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor Seas. The Coral Sea lies off the Queensland coast, and the Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand. The country also claims about 42% of Antarctica as the Australian Antarctic Territory, but this claim is only recognised by four other countries.
Water consumption levels vary across Australia, with an average daily use of 340 litres per person or 900 litres per household. The availability of freshwater resources is expected to decline due to changes in rainfall patterns caused by climate change, and the country is already vulnerable to droughts and flooding due to its unusual variability in rainfall.
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Australia's diverse landscapes
Australia is officially the Commonwealth of Australia and is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent. It is a megadiverse country, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates. The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre, with frequent droughts and flooding. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania.
The country can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Eastern Highlands include Tasmania and the Australian Alps, which span from the State of Victoria through New South Wales to the Australian Capital Territory. The Australian Alps are the highest mountain range in Australia, and in the winter, they are blanketed in snow, making them ideal for skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Mount Kosciuszko, a 2228-metre-high peak with glacial lakes and breathtaking views of the valleys below, is also located in the Australian Alps.
The Daintree Rainforest, a tropical rainforest located on the northeast coast of Queensland, is another example of Australia's diverse landscapes. It is the oldest surviving rainforest in the world, with an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, plants, and fungi. It is also Australia's largest continuous area of rainforest, growing right down to the edge of the sea. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies off the northeast coast of Australia and is another example of the country's diverse marine ecosystems.
Australia's landscapes also include iconic natural monuments such as Uluru, a large table-like red sandstone rock located in the Northern Territory, and the Great Ocean Road's Twelve Apostles rock formations, which stand along the coast. The Whitsunday Islands, with their untouched white sands, and Lake Hillier, with its vivid pink colour, are also unique and picturesque landscapes in Australia.
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Australia's water consumption
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 470 millimetres (19 in). About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and about 18% is desert. The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre, with frequent droughts and flooding.
Despite this, Australia uses more water per person than most other countries in the world. The average water consumption in Australia is 340 litres per person per day. However, this varies across the country, with Melbourne implementing permanent rules that have reduced daily water consumption to a target of 155 litres per person, well below the national average.
Water consumption in Australia is driven by various factors, including the highly urbanised population, which is heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The country's abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations are also crucial to its economy, with water being a significant factor in industrial processes.
The Electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry division is the main driver of total self-extracted water use in Australia. In the 2021-22 financial year, this division accounted for 93% of the country's self-extracted water use, with an increase of 3% from the previous year. Meanwhile, household distributed water use decreased by 2% in the same period, with declines in New South Wales and Queensland.
The cost of water in Australia also varies between households and industries. Households pay a higher price for potable water fit for human consumption, while industries predominantly utilise non-potable water, resulting in a lower cost per kilolitre.
Given the country's arid conditions and water usage, Australia has implemented various measures to secure its water future. These include integrated water management systems that treat and reuse greywater from domestic wastewater, taking pressure off municipal supplies for non-potable functions. Many Australian homes are also adopting water-efficient practices, such as collecting and using rainwater, implementing water-efficient garden designs, and using water-saving products.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world. Antarctica is technically the driest continent, but it is not inhabited by human societies apart from some temporary research teams and explorers.
The climate in Australia varies. It ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, and the southeast highlands and Tasmania experience freezing winters and snow.
Australia has an average annual rainfall of 470 millimetres (19 inches). However, rainfall varies significantly within the country, leading to frequent droughts and flooding.
