Lexi Webster
Australia is the smallest continent in the world, and it is also the flattest and second-driest, after Antarctica. It is sometimes referred to as Oceania, which includes the thousands of tiny islands of the Central and South Pacific, notably Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The continent of Australia itself includes only the nation of Australia, the eastern portion of the island of New Guinea (part of Papua New Guinea) and the island nation of New Zealand. Australia has a vast land area of about 7.7 million square kilometres, yet its population is relatively low compared to other continents, at around 25 million people. This equates to a population density of about 3.3 people per square kilometre, making it the least populated continent in the world after Antarctica.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 25 million |
| Population density | 3.2–3.3 people per square kilometer |
| Population density ranking | Second least densely populated continent |
| Total area | 7.7 million square kilometers |
| Number of countries | 3 (Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand) |
| Immigrant population ranking | 9th largest |
| Human development index ranking | Second highest |
| Economy ranking | 14th largest |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has a population of around 25 million people
Australia's population comprises approximately 0.33% of the global population, with a density of about 3.3 people per square kilometre. This makes Australia the least populated continent after Antarctica, which has no citizens of its own. Australia's population density is significantly lower than that of North America, Europe, and Africa.
The continent of Australia includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea. Australia, the largest landmass in the continent, is highly urbanised, with 86.51% of its population living in urban centres. The median age in Australia is 38.3 years, with a median age of first marriage of 28.7 years for females and 30.3 years for males.
Australia is the most culturally diverse nation in the world, with 26% of its population born overseas. It has the world's 9th largest immigrant population, and collectively, its people speak more than 300 languages. The country's population growth is driven by immigration and natural increase, with a baby born every 1 minute and 42 seconds.
Australia's landmass of 7.7 million square kilometres is slightly larger than the contiguous United States, yet the US has a population 300 million stronger. Almost two-thirds of Australia's population growth can be attributed to immigration, with Sydney and Melbourne alone accounting for more residents than the entire nation in 1959.
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The continent has a population density of 3.3 people per square kilometre
Australia is the least populated continent in the world after Antarctica. It has a population of approximately 25 million people, with a land area of about 7.7 million square kilometres. This results in a population density of about 3.3 people per square kilometre. This is significantly lower than other continents such as North America, Europe, and Africa, which have much higher population densities.
The continent of Australia consists of the landmasses that sit on Australia's continental plate, including mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea. Australia, the largest landmass in the continent, is highly urbanised and has the world's 14th-largest economy. However, despite its urbanisation, Australia has a low population density compared to other continents.
The low population density of Australia can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the continent has a vast land area, with approximately 7.7 million square kilometres. Secondly, Australia has a relatively small population compared to other continents. Additionally, significant portions of Australia's land have very few inhabitants, especially in the outback and interior areas. The continent is known for its diverse landscapes, including woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and upland regions. However, the majority of Australia is flat, dry, and hot, which may contribute to the lower population density in certain regions.
In contrast to Australia, continents such as Europe, North America, and Africa have higher population densities. Europe, for example, has a much higher population density due to its larger population in a smaller area, with an average of around 72 people per square kilometre. North America also has a higher population density, with densely populated cities like New York and Los Angeles contributing to its overall density. Africa, while having a mix of densely and sparsely populated areas, has a higher overall population than Australia, resulting in a higher density.
Therefore, with a population density of about 3.3 people per square kilometre, Australia stands out as the continent with the lowest population density among the major continents. Its vast land area and relatively small population contribute to its low population density compared to other continents.
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Australia is the smallest continent
The continent is sometimes referred to as Oceania, which includes thousands of tiny islands in the Central and South Pacific, such as Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia (including the US state of Hawaii). The name ''Sahul' is also used to refer to the continent of Australia, named after the Sahul Shelf, which is part of the continental shelf.
Australia has a huge variety of animals; some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 24% of fish and insects, and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia. The continent also has a tradition of Aboriginal art which is thousands of years old, the best-known forms being rock art and bark painting.
Australia is the least populated continent in the world after Antarctica. Antarctica is believed to be the only continent without its own citizens, instead accommodating migrants and researchers. Australia has a relatively small population given its vast land area of about 7.7 million square kilometres. Its population density is approximately 3.2 people per square kilometre, which is significantly lower than that of North America, Europe, and Africa.
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It is also the flattest and second-driest continent
Australia is the least populated continent in the world, excluding Antarctica, which has no permanent human population. Australia's population density is approximately 3.2–3.3 people per square kilometre, with a total population of around 25 million people.
Australia is also the flattest continent. A plateau in the middle of mainland Australia makes up most of the continent's total area. Rainfall is light on the plateau, and not many people have settled there.
Australia is the second-driest continent, after Antarctica. While the majority of Australia is dry, there are also large areas of woodland, grasslands, wetlands, and several other types of regions.
Australia is highly urbanised, with the world's 14th-largest economy and the second-highest human development index globally. The continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea.
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Australia is sometimes called Oceania
Australia is the smallest continent in the world. It is also the flattest and the second-driest, after Antarctica. The continent is sometimes referred to as Oceania, to include the thousands of tiny islands of the Central and South Pacific, most notably Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia (including the US state of Hawaii). The term Oceania was originally a "great division" of the world in the 1810s, but this was replaced in English-speaking countries by the concept of Australia as one of the world's continents in the 1950s.
The continent of Australia itself includes only the nation of Australia, the eastern portion of the island of New Guinea (part of the nation of Papua New Guinea), and the island nation of New Zealand. Australia covers just under 8.5 million square kilometres (about 3.5 million square miles). Its population is about 31 million, giving it a population density of about 3.3 people per square kilometre. This makes it the second least densely populated continent in the world, after Antarctica.
The low population density of Australia is due to the fact that large areas of the interior are sparsely populated. The majority of Australia's population is concentrated along the southeastern coast, in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. The centre of the country is a plateau, which makes up most of the continent's total area. Rainfall is light on the plateau, and not many people have settled there.
Australia has a huge variety of animals; some 83% of mammals, 89% of reptiles, 24% of fish and insects, and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are endemic to Australia. The continent is also home to a diverse range of bird species, with over 300 species found in West Papua alone, of which at least 20 are unique to the ecoregion.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Antarctica is the least populated continent. However, Australia is the least populated continent excluding Antarctica.
Australia's population is approximately 25 million people.
Australia has a population density of about 3.3 people per square kilometer.
Australia has a land area of about 7.7 million square kilometers.
