
Australia is the largest country in Oceania and the sixth-largest in the world, with a total area of over 2.969 million square miles. The country is divided into six states and ten federal territories. Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia, covering more than 22% of the continent. It is almost five times the size of Japan, seven times the size of Great Britain, and two and a half times the size of Texas. With a population of 5.6 million, it is the third-most populous state in Australia, accounting for about 20% of the country's population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Land Area | Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia in terms of land area, covering approximately 1,852,642 square kilometers, or 22.5% of the country's total land mass. |
| Size Comparison | For comparison, Queensland is almost five times the size of Japan, almost three times the size of Texas, and slightly larger than Mongolia. |
| Population | As of 2023, Queensland has a population of approximately 5.2 million people, making it the third-most populous state in Australia. |
| Population Density | The state has a low population density of approximately 2.8 people per square kilometer. |
| Geography | Queensland is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from tropical rainforests and white sandy beaches to rugged outback and desert regions. |
| Climate | The state generally experiences a tropical climate in the north and a more temperate climate in the south, with warm to hot summers and mild to cool winters. |
| Major Cities | Brisbane is the capital and most populous city of Queensland, with other major cities including Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and Cairns. |
| Economy | Queensland has a strong and diverse economy, with key industries including agriculture, mining, tourism, and services. |
| Tourism | The state is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Whitsunday Islands. |
| Cultural Significance | Queensland has a rich cultural heritage, with a significant Indigenous Australian population and a history of European settlement dating back to the 19th century. |
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What You'll Learn

Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia
Queensland is home to approximately 5.6 million people, which is more than 20% of Australia's total population. The state's population is projected to increase to 7.3 million in the coming years. Queensland is the third-most populous state in the country, after New South Wales and Victoria. Brisbane, Queensland's capital city, is the third-largest city in Australia, accounting for about 9% of the nation's total population.
The state boasts a diverse economy, with the five major industries being healthcare and social assistance (11.9%), retail (10.7%), construction (9.0%), manufacturing (8.4%), and education (7.9%). Queensland holds a credit rating of AA+/Negative/A-1+ by S&P Global and Aa1/Stable/P-1 by Moody’s.
Queensland has a lot to offer in terms of natural wonders and tourism. The state is known for its sunny climate, receiving an average of 261 days of sunshine each year, earning it the nickname "The Sunshine State". Queensland's coastline spans more than 7,400 kilometres, with 2,000 kilometres of the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth. The state also has more than 200 national parks, perfect for exploration and outdoor activities.
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Western Australia is the largest state by area
Queensland may be big, but it is not the largest state in Australia. In fact, it is the second-largest state in the country. The largest state by area is Western Australia, which occupies 32.9% of the country's land area, excluding external territories.
Western Australia, or WA, is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, and the Southern Ocean to the south. It also shares borders with the Northern Territory to the northeast and South Australia to the southeast. The total land area occupied by the state is 2.5 million square kilometres, or 2,527,013 square kilometres to be more precise. To put that into perspective, Western Australia is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, only surpassed by Russia's Sakha Republic.
The state has a diverse range of climates and ecoregions. Tropical conditions can be found in the Kimberley region, while deserts are located in the interior, including the Great Sandy Desert, the Little Sandy Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Great Victoria Desert. The southwest and southern coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate, and the region is also home to some of the largest numbers of plant species for its area in the world. The sandstone gorges of the Kimberley on the northern coast, the drier Victoria Plains tropical savanna inland, and the semi-desert Pilbara, Carnarvon, and Western Australian mulga shrublands are among the ecoregions of Western Australia.
The capital of Western Australia is Perth, and the state has a population of around 2.6 million people as of 2017, increasing to 2.965 million in 2024. Over 90% of the state's population lives in the southwest corner, with around 80% in Perth, leaving the remainder of the state sparsely populated.
Western Australia has a significant resource sector, including iron ore mining, offshore petroleum, and natural gas. The state also has a rich geological history, dating back 4.4 billion years.
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Queensland covers more than 22% of the continent
Queensland is a massive state, and its size is often surprising to many. Covering an area of approximately 1,852,642 square kilometres, it takes up a significant portion of the Australian continent. To put this into perspective, Queensland alone covers more than 22% of the entire continent of Australia, which is an astonishing figure when one considers the continent's size. This makes Queensland the second-largest state in Australia, second only to Western Australia, which claims roughly a third of the entire landmass.
The sheer vastness of Queensland becomes even more impressive when compared with other countries. For example, it is larger than the entire country of Mexico, which covers around 1,972,550 square kilometres. Queensland is also bigger than Indonesia, which, with its thousands of islands, has a total land area of approximately 1,904,569 square kilometres. This puts the state's size into a global context and highlights just how much territory it encompasses.
The state's northern reaches are particularly expansive, with a tropical climate and diverse landscapes that include everything from ancient rainforests to expansive savannahs and rugged outback terrain. The Gulf Country, for instance, is a remote and sparsely populated region in far north Queensland, covering an area larger than many US states, such as California or Texas, and contributing significantly to the state's overall size.
Queensland's size is also reflected in its diverse range of ecosystems and natural landmarks. From the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, to the ancient Daintree Rainforest, Queensland showcases a remarkable array of natural wonders. The state is also home to iconic landmarks such as Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, and the vast Lake Eyre basin, highlighting the state's geographical diversity and the range of environments it encompasses.
The state's vast size also presents unique challenges and opportunities for those living there. The distance between towns and cities can be vast, and the state's tropical north has a very different climate and environment compared to the more temperate south-east corner, where the majority of the population resides. This diversity and sense of space are part of what makes Queensland unique and a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors alike.
So, Queensland's status as the second-largest state in Australia, covering over 22% of the continent, is certainly impressive. Its size contributes to a sense of adventure and exploration for those who visit or reside there and showcases the incredible diversity of landscapes and environments that Australia has to offer.
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Queensland is Australia's third-most populous state
Queensland is Australia's second-largest state by land area, covering more than 22% of the continent. However, it is only the third-most populous state, with a population of around 5.6 million, accounting for about 20% of Australia's total population. By comparison, the most populous state in Australia is New South Wales, which has a population of over 8.15 million people. Victoria is the second-most populous state, accounting for about 24% of the country's population.
Queensland's land border is 3,369 kilometres, and its coastline is over 13,347 kilometres. It is almost five times the size of Japan, seven times the size of Great Britain, and two and a half times the size of Texas. Queensland is home to ten of Australia's fifty most populous cities, including two of the top ten. The state's capital, Brisbane, is Australia's third-largest city, accounting for about 9% of the country's total population.
Queensland has a diverse economy and holds a credit rating of AA+/Negative/A-1+ by S&P Global and Aa1/Stable/P-1 by Moody's. The state's five major industries are healthcare and social assistance (11.9%), retail (10.7%), construction (9.0%), manufacturing (8.4%), and education (7.9%). Around 29.0% of homes in Queensland are fully owned by their occupants, 34.5% are in the process of being purchased with a mortgage, and the remaining 33.2% are rented.
Queensland has more than 200 national parks and its tip, the Cape York Peninsula, is the northernmost point of Australia and the largest unspoiled wilderness in the country's north. Queensland's coastline spans more than 7400 kilometres, with 2000 kilometres boasting parts of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living thing on Earth.
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Queensland is home to the country's third-largest city, Brisbane
Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia, occupying nearly one-fourth of the continent. It is more than twice the size of the US state of Texas and seven times larger than the United Kingdom. Queensland is home to 10 of the country's 30 largest cities, including Brisbane, which is Australia's third-largest city.
Brisbane is the capital and largest city of Queensland, with a population of over 5.5 million, comprising half of the state's population. It is the third most popular destination in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne. The city's major attractions include South Bank Parklands, the Queensland Cultural Centre, City Hall, the Story Bridge, the Howard Smith Wharves, ANZAC Square, St John's Cathedral, Fortitude Valley, and the Brisbane River.
Brisbane Airport is the main international and domestic gateway serving the state and is the third busiest airport in Australia. The city's ferry services are provided by Queensland Rail and contracted operators. Brisbane has the 26th largest immigrant population among world metropolitan areas.
Queensland's geographical features and climates are diverse, including tropical rainforests, rivers, coral reefs, mountain ranges, and white sandy beaches in its tropical and subtropical coastal regions. The state has more than 200 national parks and its coastline spans more than 7,400 km, with parts of the Great Barrier Reef visible from space.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia, covering more than 22% of the continent. Queensland has an area of 1,730,648 km2.
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia by area, with a total area of over 2.5 million km2. It accounts for 33% of the Australian continent.
Australia has six states, including Queensland, and two main territories, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. There are also several smaller territories.







































