Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a sovereign nation that makes up the bulk of the Australian continent. It is one of the largest countries on Earth and is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia is the only continent that is entirely within the Southern Hemisphere, along with Antarctica. The Southern Hemisphere is the half of the Earth that is south of the Equator and contains at least a portion of five continents, four oceans, and several islands. Brazil is the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere by land area, while Indonesia is the most populous. Australia is known for its unique flora and fauna, vast country, and global isolation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Australia the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere? | No, Brazil is the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| Number of countries in the Southern Hemisphere | 32 |
| Most spoken language | Portuguese |
| Most populous country | Indonesia |
| Number of continents in the Southern Hemisphere | 5 |
| Number of oceans in the Southern Hemisphere | 4 |
| Percentage of water in the Southern Hemisphere | 80.9% |
| Percentage of land in the Southern Hemisphere | 32.7% |
| Population of the Southern Hemisphere | 800 million |
| Percentage of the total population | 10-12% |
| Capital of Australia | Canberra |
| Most populous city in Australia | Sydney |
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What You'll Learn
Brazil is the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere
Brazil's capital is Brasilia, while its most populous city is São Paulo, which is also one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Southern Hemisphere, with 22 million inhabitants. São Paulo is an important financial and commercial centre, serving as the headquarters of the B3 stock exchange.
Brazil's history of significant migration has made it one of the world's most culturally diverse countries. The country is located in South America, with approximately 90% of the continent's land area lying within the Southern Hemisphere. Brazil shares its region with other Southern Hemisphere countries such as Argentina and Peru.
While Brazil is the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere by land area, the most populous country in the Southern Hemisphere is Indonesia, with approximately 261 million people. However, only about 230 million of Indonesia's population live within the Southern Hemisphere, as some portions of the country lie north of the Equator.
It is worth noting that Australia, which is the bulk of the Australian continent, is also a significant country in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia is ranked as the sixth most extensive country in the world, with a land area of about 2,969,907 square miles.
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Australia is the only continent in the Southern Hemisphere
Australia is the only continent that is fully within the Southern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere is the half of the Earth that is south of the equator. It contains all or part of five continents, four oceans, and several islands. The five continents located in the Southern Hemisphere are Antarctica, Africa, Australia, South America, and Asia. However, of these continents, only Australia and Antarctica are entirely within the Southern Hemisphere.
The continent of Australia, sometimes known in technical contexts as Sahul, Australia-New Guinea, Australinea, or Meganesia, is located within the Southern and Eastern hemispheres, near Maritime Southeast Asia. The continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea), the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other nearby islands.
Australia is situated in the geographical region of Oceania, more specifically in the subregion of Australasia. It is the smallest of the seven traditional continents. The continent includes a continental shelf overlain by shallow seas that divide it into several landmasses—the Arafura Sea and Torres Strait between mainland Australia and New Guinea, and Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania.
The idea of a continent in the Southern Hemisphere has a long history. Legends of Terra Australis Incognita, or the "unknown land of the South," date back to Roman times and earlier, and were commonplace in medieval geography. These ideas were not based on any documented knowledge of the continent but rather on the belief that there should be a large landmass in the south to counterbalance the known landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere.
In modern times, Australia is one of the most developed nations in the Southern Hemisphere, with a high GDP per capita and a high Human Development Index (HDI) ranking.
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The Southern Hemisphere contains parts of five continents
The Southern Hemisphere is the half of the Earth that is south of the Equator. It contains all or part of five continents, four oceans, and several islands. The five continents located in the Southern Hemisphere are Antarctica, Africa, Australia, South America, and Asia. However, of these continents, only Australia and Antarctica are completely within the Southern Hemisphere. The other three continents are only partially in the Southern Hemisphere.
Antarctica is located entirely within the Southern Hemisphere and contains the geographic South Pole. It has no independent countries, but many territories. Several countries have claims on specific territories in Antarctica. Australia, officially named the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign nation that makes up the bulk of the Australian continent. Australia is the world's smallest continent and is located entirely within the Southern Hemisphere. The continent occupies an area of approximately 2.97 million square miles and includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, and numerous other small islands.
Africa is a continent that occupies an area of 11.7 million square miles. The Equator crosses through Africa, which separates which part of the continent is located in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Approximately 33% of Africa falls within the Southern Hemisphere. The region near the equator experiences a tropical climate, while the southern part of the continent has a temperate oceanic climate. Africa has a rich diversity of plants and animals distributed throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
South America occupies an area of 6.89 million square miles and consists of a large mainland and numerous islands located in the South Atlantic Ocean. The continent has the richest biodiversity of all the world's continents. About 90% of South America lies in the Southern Hemisphere.
Most of Asia is located in the Northern Hemisphere, with some islands situated in the Southern Hemisphere. These include the entirety of East Timor, most of Indonesia, and part of the Maldives.
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The Southern Hemisphere has 32 countries
The Southern Hemisphere is the half of the Earth that is south of the equator. It contains at least part of five continents, four oceans, and several islands. The five continents located in the Southern Hemisphere are Antarctica, Africa, Australia, South America, and Asia. However, of these continents, only Australia and Antarctica are completely within the Southern Hemisphere. There are 32 countries in the Southern Hemisphere from five of the Earth's continents.
Some of the Southern Hemisphere countries in Africa include Zambia, South Africa, and Lesotho. Countries south of the Equator in South America include Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. Brazil is the largest country in the Southern Hemisphere in terms of land area, with approximately 3,287,956 square miles. It is also the most populous country in the Southern Hemisphere, with 200 million people. Portuguese is the most spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 230 million speakers in six countries.
Among the most developed nations in the Southern Hemisphere is Australia, with a nominal GDP per capita of US$63,487 and a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.946, the tenth-highest in the world as of the 2024 report. Australia is officially named the Commonwealth of Australia and is a sovereign nation that makes up the bulk of the Australian continent. The country has an area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles, which ranks as the sixth most extensive country in the world. The capital of Australia is Canberra, while Sydney is its most populous city.
The Southern Hemisphere also includes important financial and commercial centres such as São Paulo, where the B3 (stock exchange) is headquartered, and Sydney, home to the Australian Securities Exchange.
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Australia is one of the most developed nations in the Southern Hemisphere
Australia's economic engagement with other countries in its hemisphere has strengthened over time. The country has a nominal GDP per capita of US$63,487, and its capital, Canberra, is located in the southeast between the economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney is also home to the Australian Securities Exchange, one of the important financial and commercial centres in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia's global isolation, low relief, and aridity characterise its vast geography. The country extends for nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from west to east and nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 km) from northeast to southeast. Its jurisdiction extends further south to the island of Tasmania and north to the shores of Papua New Guinea. The country's remoteness from traditional allies and trading partners has led it to explore new markets in Asia and engage with the highly competitive industrialised economies of East Asia.
The uniqueness of Australia's flora and fauna is attributed to its isolation from other continents. The country is known for its eucalyptus trees, acacias, and unique mammals like the platypus, echidna, dingoes, kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras. The Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Queensland, is another natural wonder, attracting tourists worldwide. Australia's vast and varied landscape, from the Outback to its modern cities, continues to fascinate people globally, as evidenced by the worldwide fascination with the land "Down Under" and the successful hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Brazil is the largest country in the southern hemisphere with an area of approximately 3,287,956 square miles. Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth and is the sixth most extensive country in the world with an area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles.
The southern hemisphere contains at least a portion of five continents: Africa, Antarctica, Australia, South America, and Asia. Only Australia and Antarctica are completely within the southern hemisphere.
There are 32 countries located completely in the southern hemisphere.
The population of the southern hemisphere is 800 million, only 10-12% of the total global population.
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