Lyla Lindsey
Australia is the smallest continent in the world and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often referred to as an island continent. Australia is the only country on the Australian continent and comprises most of the continent's total land area. The country has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. It has a population of over 23 million people and its capital city is Canberra. Australia is part of the Oceanian sub-region known as Australasia, which includes New Zealand and New Guinea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Countries | 14 independent countries and 12 dependent overseas territories |
| Largest Sovereign State | Australia |
| Smallest Independent Country | Nauru |
| Capital City | Canberra |
| Economic and Cultural Centres | Sydney and Melbourne |
| Population | 23 million (as of 2014) |
| Continent Characteristics | Smallest, lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent |
| Land Area | 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi) |
| Economic Zone | 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 sq mi) |
| Economic Ranking | One of the highest per capita incomes globally |
| Economy Contributors | Abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations |
| Global Ranking | 13th highest military expenditure |
| International Groups | United Nations, G20, OECD, World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and more |
| Tech Sector Contribution | $167 billion a year and 861,000 employees |
| Global Innovation Index Ranking (2024) | 23rd |
| Research and Development Spending (2019) | $35.6 billion (1.79% of GDP) |
| Popular Sports | Swimming, athletics, cycling, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, surfing, netball, and cricket |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia
The Australian continent, as a whole, is part of the Australian Plate and has had a relatively stable geological history. It has a total land area of 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi). During the Pleistocene ice age, the Australian continent was connected to the island of New Guinea and Tasmania by dry land, forming the combined landmass of Sahul. However, rising sea levels over the past 18,000 to 10,000 years separated the continent into the mainland and these two mountainous islands.
Australia is a highly developed country with one of the highest per capita incomes globally. It has abundant natural resources and a strong international trade presence, which are crucial to its economy. It has a population of over 23 million people and is home to globally renowned cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
While the continent of Australia only consists of the country of Australia, the broader region of Oceania includes many other countries and territories. This region is sometimes referred to as "Australia and Oceania" or "the Pacific area." Oceania includes New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and numerous other islands in the Pacific Ocean.
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Australia is the world's smallest continent
Australia is the smallest continent in the world. It 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.
The Australian continent has a total land area of 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi), making it the smallest, lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent (after Antarctica) on Earth. Australia is sometimes referred to as an "island continent" because it is mostly on a single landmass and is surrounded by oceans. The country of Australia comprises most of the continent and is the largest landmass within it.
The continent of Australia is sometimes known by the names Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to differentiate it from the country of Australia. The term "Sahul" comes from the Sahul Shelf, which is part of the continent's continental shelf. During the Pleistocene ice age, around 18,000 BC, the Australian continent was connected to New Guinea and Tasmania by dry land, forming the combined landmass of Sahul. However, due to rising sea levels over the past 18,000 to 10,000 years, the continent separated into its current form.
Australia is part of the region of Oceania, which includes the continent of Australia, Zealandia, and various islands in the Pacific Ocean. Oceania is a region made up of thousands of islands throughout the Central and South Pacific, dominated by the nation of Australia. The other major landmasses of Oceania are Zealandia, which includes New Zealand, and the eastern half of New Guinea. Oceania also includes three island regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
The classification of Australia as a continent has been a subject of debate, with different countries having varying definitions of continents. Some consider Australia to be part of Oceania or Australasia rather than a continent in its own right. However, Australia meets the criteria to be considered a continent, and it is recognised as such by many.
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The continent includes the island of Tasmania
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. Surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans, it is the only country on this continent. The Australian continent, as a whole, is part of the Australian Plate and is the lowest, flattest, and oldest landmass on Earth. It has had a relatively stable geological history.
In addition to Tasmania, the Australian continent also includes the entire Australian mainland, the big islands of New Zealand, New Guinea (only its eastern half), and thousands of tiny, tropical islands in the Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia regions. These islands are scattered throughout the South Pacific and contribute to the diverse landscape and culture of the region.
Australia has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. Its abundant natural resources and strong international trade relations are crucial to its economic success. The country has a strong relationship with the United States and is a member of international groups such as the United Nations, the G20, the OECD, and the World Trade Organization.
With its unique geographical characteristics and economic prowess, the Australian continent, including the island of Tasmania, holds significant importance in the world.
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The continent includes the island of New Guinea
The continent of Australia, also known as the Australian Plate, is the flattest, smallest, and oldest continent on Earth. It is surrounded by the Indian, Southern, and Pacific Oceans. The continent includes the island of New Guinea, which is the second-largest island in the world. New Guinea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of Australia, and is separated from Australia by the Torres Strait. The island is divided into two parts: the western half, which is part of Indonesia, and the eastern half, which is the major land mass of the nation of Papua New Guinea.
New Guinea has a unique geological history. During the Pleistocene glaciations, New Guinea and Australia were connected by a land bridge, forming the landmass of Sahul. This connection existed due to lower sea levels, and the two landmasses share a similar fauna, including marsupials such as wallabies and possums. New Guinea's trajectory as part of the ancient continent of Gondwanaland has influenced the evolution of its wildlife. The collision of the Australia-New Guinea tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate approximately 25 million years ago pushed New Guinea out of the sea and separated it from Australia.
The island's name was given by Spanish explorer Yñigo Ortiz de Retez during a maritime expedition in 1545 due to the perceived resemblance of the indigenous peoples to those in the African region of Guinea. The current population of the island is about fifteen million, and archaeological evidence indicates that humans have inhabited the island continuously since 50,000 BCE, with the first settlements possibly dating back 60,000 years. The Papuans, who constitute the majority of the island's population, are descended from these early inhabitants.
Anthropologically, New Guinea is considered part of Melanesia, and it has a tropical climate with high rainfall and active volcanic geology. The island features a central mountain chain, with an unbroken chain of mountains and extinct volcanoes extending from the northwest to the southeast. The climate and geography of New Guinea have resulted in a diverse range of wildlife species, with many birds and plants found on the island.
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Australia is the world's driest inhabited continent
Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the smallest continent in the world, occupying a land mass of about 2.97 million square miles (some sources state 8.56 million square kilometres), which is about 5% of the Earth's land mass. Australia is also the flattest and driest inhabited continent, 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 continent also has an incredibly high evaporation rate, with over 75% of the land mass experiencing a potential evaporation rate higher than 98.4 inches per year. Some areas in central Australia experience potential evaporation of about 177.2 inches per year, which is roughly 20 times greater than the annual rainfall. The rainfall exhibits a concentric pattern around the arid core of the nation, with some coastal areas and the tropics experiencing rainfall at a high intensity.
The wide variation in climatic conditions is partly due to the geographical size of the continent. The climate is also influenced by Australia's position in the horse latitudes, which brings arid conditions, and ocean currents that affect the dryness of the continent. The sinking hot air of the subtropical high-pressure belt also influences the climate, moving south and north with the seasons.
Australia's rivers have the lowest discharge into the sea of any continent, and the mainland's flat, arid profile makes its rivers slow-moving, resulting in a build-up of salt on the land. Salinisation adversely affects Australia's soil, which is, on average, poor in nutrients compared to world standards. Australia's population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast.
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Frequently asked questions
There is only one country in the continent of Australia, which is Australia.
The continent of Australia is the smallest continent in the world, with a land area of 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi).
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, Meganesia, or Oceania.
The name 'Australia' is derived from the Latin word 'Terra Australis', which means 'southern land'.
Australia is known for its unique flora and fauna, including eucalyptus trees, platypuses, kangaroos, and koalas. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, and the Simpson Desert, the world's largest desert.
