Damon Mcknight
Australia is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's smallest continent and sixth-largest country by area, covering 7,688,287 square kilometres. Australia is highly urbanised, with a population of approximately 25 to 28 million people. The country is known for its diverse landscapes and climates, ranging from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. With a rich history dating back to the arrival of Aboriginal Australians over 50,000 years ago, Australia has developed into a highly-ranked country in terms of quality of life, health, education, and economic freedom.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Australia is a country and a continent
The country of Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and ten territories. Its population of almost 28 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard. Canberra is the nation's capital, while its most populous cities are Sydney and Melbourne, both with a population of more than five million.
Australia is the smallest of the seven continents and is entirely surrounded by water. It has a total area of 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent. It is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast.
The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from Southeast Asia 50,000 to 65,000 years ago, during the last glacial period. By the time of British settlement, Aboriginal Australians spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Australia's written history commenced with Dutch exploration of most of the coastline in the 17th century. By the mid-19th century, most of the continent had been explored by European settlers and five additional self-governing British colonies were established, each gaining responsible government by 1890. The colonies federated in 1901, forming the Commonwealth of Australia.
Foster Care in Australia: Understanding the System
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It's the sixth-largest country by area
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area. It has a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), or 7.6 million square kilometres (2.9 million square miles) according to another source. It is the largest country in Oceania, the geographical region in which it is located, and is sometimes considered the world's largest island.
The continent of Australia, which includes the country of Australia, is the smallest of the seven traditional continents. It is also the flattest, driest, and second-driest inhabited continent. The country of Australia makes up about 86% of the continent's total area. It 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 Australian mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 feet) compared to 870 metres (2,850 feet) for all continents. It has 35,877 kilometres (22,293 miles) of coastline, excluding all offshore islands. Australia also claims an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 square miles). This zone does not include the Australian Antarctic Territory, of which Australia claims about 42%. However, this claim is only recognised by four other countries.
Australia's size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates. These include tropical rainforests along the coast, deserts in the interior, and mountain ranges. The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's largest mountain range, stretching for over 3,000 kilometres. The country also has a diverse range of flora and fauna, with kangaroos being one well-known example of its unique wildlife.
Who Owns Australia? The Queen's Role Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The capital is Canberra
The capital of Australia is Canberra, a city with a rich history and cultural significance. Located in the Australian Capital Territory in southeastern Australia, Canberra is about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney. It was founded in 1913 following a dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should serve as the national capital. As a compromise, it was decided that the new capital would be built in New South Wales, at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney.
Canberra is an entirely planned city, with its design selected through an international competition won by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The city's design features geometric motifs and is centred on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill, and City Hill. The construction of the city commenced in 1913, with the completion of major avenues and the establishment of the Glenloch Cork Plantation by 1920.
As the seat of the Government of Australia, Canberra is home to important federal government institutions, national monuments, and museums. These include Parliament House, Government House, the High Court building, and the headquarters of various government agencies. The city also boasts several social and cultural institutions of national significance, such as the Australian War Memorial, the Australian National University, the Royal Australian Mint, the Australian Institute of Sport, the National Gallery, the National Museum, and the National Library.
Canberra has a thriving arts scene and is known for its iconic museums and galleries, showcasing the rich cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories. The city also offers a vibrant food culture, ranging from award-winning coffee to craft beers and long lunches. For nature enthusiasts, Canberra provides easy access to breathtaking natural wonders, including popular lookouts, challenging hikes, mountain bike trails, waterfalls, gorges, forests, and snow-capped mountains within a 45-minute drive from the city.
Australia's Government: Majority or Minority Rule?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sydney is the largest city
Sydney's diverse population is reflected in its variety of neighbourhoods, from the cosmopolitan city centre, known as the Central Business District or CBD, to the laid-back beaches of Bondi and Manly, and the expansive bush and outback beyond. The city is known for its natural beauty, with iconic locations such as the Blue Mountains, Three Sisters, Hunter Region, and Royal National Park. Sydney is also home to famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Anzac War Memorial in Hyde Park.
As one of the most expensive cities in the world, Sydney is a major financial centre in the Asia-Pacific region. The city has a strong economic presence in the financial and insurance services industry, constituting 43% of the economic product of the City of Sydney. Sydney is also a major tourist destination, with attractions such as the Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney Zoo, and the historic Old Government House in Parramatta, which is Australia's oldest surviving public building.
The city has a vibrant cultural life, with events such as Vivid Sydney, an annual festival of light projections and artistic performances. Sydney is also known for its sporting culture, with popular events such as Aussie Rules Football (AFL) and Rugby games attracting enthusiastic fans. The city's culinary scene reflects its diversity, with a variety of dining options, including the local surf clubs and Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia, known for their incredible menus and dress codes.
Sydney is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and a thriving economy. Its diverse population and rich history make it a fascinating destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Exploring Australia: How Many States?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It has a diverse climate and landscapes including mountains
Australia is a country and continent with diverse geography, landscapes, and climate. It is the smallest continent in the world and the sixth-largest country. It is surrounded by the Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans, and various seas including the Timor, Tasman, Coral, and Arafura seas. Australia has the largest area of ocean jurisdiction of any country on Earth.
The geography of Australia is extremely diverse, ranging from snow-capped mountains to large deserts, tropical and temperate forests, grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands. 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, also known as the Great Dividing Range, is the most substantial mountain range in the country and the third-longest land-based range in the world. It includes the Victorian Alps, which constitute the coldest climate in Victoria, with average maximum temperatures of less than 9 °C (48 °F) in winter and below 0 °C (32 °F) in the highest parts of the ranges.
The Snowy Mountains region in the southeast falls into the alpine climate or subpolar oceanic climate zone, with cool to cold weather all year round and heavy snowfalls in the winter and spring. The western half of the continent is occupied by a desert plateau that rises into barren, rolling hills near the west coast. The Hamersley Range, the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Musgrave Range are other notable mountain ranges in the western part of the country.
The Australian landscape is also characterised by its unique natural landmarks, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Blue Mountains area, Kakadu National Park, Shark Bay, and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which contains the sacred site of Uluru/Ayers Rock.
Australia's climate varies widely across the country. The northern part of the Northern Territory has a tropical savannah climate with high humidity and two seasons: the wet season (October to April) and the dry season (May to September). The southern Australian Capital Territory has cool to cold winters due to its higher elevation, while Canberra experiences warm and dry summers with cool nights and thunderstorms.
Climate change is a significant issue in Australia, with rising temperatures, salinity, and desertification impacting the economy, agriculture, and public health. The country's population is highly concentrated in coastal areas that are vulnerable to rising sea levels, and existing water supply pressures will likely be exacerbated.
Which Nations Are in Australia's Danger Zone?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
English is widely considered the de facto national language of Australia, although it is not the official language in law. Australian English has a distinctive accent and lexicon and differs slightly from other varieties of English in grammar and spelling.
Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth. As such, the country's head of state is the British monarch.
Australia's population is approximately 23,856,103. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast, and the population density is 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre, one of the lowest in the world.
