Lexi Webster
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world. Australia is highly urbanised, with a population of almost 28 million, and is known for its diverse landscapes, climates, and ecosystems. The country has a strong economy, ranking highly in various indices, and is a member of the Commonwealth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country Name | Australia |
| Official Name | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Continent | Australia |
| Land Area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) or 8.56 million km2 (3,310,000 sq mi) |
| Global Position | Southern Hemisphere |
| Surrounding Water Bodies | Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, Coral Sea, Tasman Sea |
| Capital | Canberra |
| Largest Cities | Sydney, Melbourne |
| Population | 28 million |
| Diversity | One of the most ethnically diverse nations |
| Economy | 14th largest in the world |
| Human Development Index | Second highest in the world |
| Natural Resources | The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, various unique flora and fauna |
| Climate | Warm and sunny with dense rainforests and deserts |
| Culture | Love for the outdoors and sports |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the smallest continent
Australia is a country and a continent. It is the smallest of the seven continents, spanning over 8 million square kilometres or 3 million square miles. The continent includes the country of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua and West Papua, provinces of Indonesia. Australia is also referred to as an island continent, as it is surrounded by oceans and is the largest single country to exist entirely within the Southern Hemisphere.
The Australian continent is also known as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to differentiate it from the country of Australia. The name "Sahul" comes from the Sahul Shelf, which is part of the continent's continental shelf. 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.
Australia is highly urbanised, with a population of almost 28 million people. Its most populous cities are Sydney and Melbourne, each with a population of more than five million. Australia has the world's 14th-largest economy and the second-highest human development index globally. It is also a megadiverse country, with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast.
Australia is sometimes referred to as Oceania, which includes not only Australia but also New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and other tiny islands in the Central and South Pacific. The term Oceania was originally a "great division" of the world in the 19th century and was used to refer to the insular Pacific area between Asia and the Americas.
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Canberra is the capital city
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. The Australian continent consists of mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which includes Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea.
The history of Canberra as the capital city dates back to the early 20th century. In the years following the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901, there was a need to establish a capital city that could serve as the seat of the federal government. A competition was held to design the new capital, and the site chosen was an area between the two largest cities at the time, Sydney and Melbourne. This location was intended to ease tensions between the two cities and symbolically unite the country.
The design of Canberra was influenced by prominent American and Australian architects, including Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who won the competition for the city's design. Their plan incorporated geometric patterns, natural landscapes, and an emphasis on open spaces and greenery. The construction of the city began in 1913, and it officially became the capital of Australia in 1927.
Today, Canberra is a thriving city with a population of over 400,000 people. It is known for its high quality of life, cultural institutions, and natural attractions. The city is home to several important landmarks, including Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Museum of Australia. Additionally, Canberra is surrounded by nature reserves, parks, and lakes, offering a unique blend of urban development and natural beauty.
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Sydney and Melbourne are the largest cities
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It has a total land area of 8.56 million square kilometres (3,310,000 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania.
Australia is a relatively prosperous independent country with a highly urbanized population of almost 28 million. Its abundant natural resources and well-developed international trade relations are crucial to its economy, which is the world's 14th-largest. The country ranks highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
The two cities are the economic and cultural centres of the country, with Sydney being the more influential of the two. Sydney is also larger by land mass, although Brisbane is the largest by this measure.
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Australia is a highly urbanised country
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, with a total land area of 8.56 million square kilometres. It is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. The country is part of the Australian continent, which also includes the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. The continent is sometimes referred to as an island continent due to its oceanic surroundings.
Australia has a diverse landscape and climate, ranging from deserts in the interior to tropical rainforests along the coast. It is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent, with much of its surface characterised by low relief and aridity. The country has a highly urbanised population, with 87% of its people living within 50 kilometres of the coast. This concentration along the coastline has contributed to the high degree of urbanisation in Australia.
The causes of urbanisation in Australia are similar to those in the United States. In both countries, technological advancements in agriculture reduced the need for labour on farms, leading to a rural-urban shift. Additionally, the development of factories and railways facilitated urban growth, as cities became centres of economic opportunity and transportation hubs.
Australia has a population of almost 28 million, with about half of its residents either born overseas or having at least one parent born abroad. The country has one of the highest foreign-born populations globally, and its culture reflects this diversity. The most common ancestries are English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, and Italian. The high immigration rate, particularly to urban areas, has contributed to the country's highly urbanised nature.
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Australia is a member of the Commonwealth
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the smallest, lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Australia is a relatively prosperous independent country with a highly urbanised population of almost 28 million. It has the world's 14th-largest economy and the second-highest human development index globally.
Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and has been an active participant for over 70 years. Australia is the third-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget and is represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat's Board of Governors and its Executive Committee by the High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth provides a means for Australia to strengthen democracy and development outcomes in its near region and in Commonwealth countries further afield.
The Commonwealth has a combined population of over 2 billion people, with more than 60 percent aged 29 or under. The combined gross domestic product (GDP) of Commonwealth countries was estimated at US$10.4 trillion in 2017 and was predicted to reach US$13 trillion in 2020. Half of the top 20 global emerging cities are in the Commonwealth, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, and Johannesburg. Over 3.3 million Australians were born in other Commonwealth countries.
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Frequently asked questions
The official name is the Commonwealth of Australia.
Australia is the smallest, driest, flattest, and least elevated continent in the world. It is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and has a diverse landscape, including dense rainforests in the northeast and large deserts in the remote outback.
Australia is highly urbanised, with a population of almost 28 million. It is also one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, with nearly a quarter of its population born in other countries.
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