Lexi Webster
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Interestingly, Australia does not share land borders with any other nation. However, it is relatively close to Indonesia, East Timor, and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country directly south of Australia | New Zealand |
| Total area | 268,021 km2 (103,483 sq mi) |
| Population | 5,116,927 |
| Capital | Wellington |
| Largest city | Auckland |
| Official languages | English, Maori, New Zealand Sign Language |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | New Zealand dollar |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia does not share a land border with any country
- The closest countries to Australia are Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea was an Australian external territory until it gained independence in 1975
- New Zealand is famous for its natural beauty, including Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park
- Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent
Australia does not share a land border with any country
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 is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east.
The Australian 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. It is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent, with a diverse range of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast.
Australia has a unique geographical position, being extremely remote from its traditional allies and trading partners. It is about 12,000 miles (19,000 km) from Australia to Great Britain via the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal and approximately 7,000 miles (11,000 km) across the Pacific Ocean to the west coast of the United States. This isolation has influenced Australia's economic and cultural ties with nearby Asian countries and its engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
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The closest countries to Australia are Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Interestingly, Australia does not share land borders with any other nation.
Indonesia is a large archipelago of over 17,000 islands that shares a maritime border with Australia. It is located in Southeast Asia and is known for its diverse culture, tropical climate, and beautiful beaches. East Timor, officially known as Timor-Leste, is a small country located northwest of Australia. It gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002 and has a rich cultural heritage.
Papua New Guinea is located on the island of New Guinea, which is part of the Australia-New Guinea continent. It is the largest and most populous country in the Pacific Islands region, with over 800 different languages spoken by its diverse population. Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975. New Zealand, located southeast of Australia, is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park. It is a popular tourist destination, offering a wealth of opportunities for exploration and cultural experiences.
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Papua New Guinea was an Australian external territory until it gained independence in 1975
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. The continent of Australia, sometimes known as Meganesia, includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea), the Aru Islands, and the Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
Papua New Guinea, which is located north of Australia, was formerly an Australian external territory. In 1884, Germany formally took possession of the northeast quarter of New Guinea, which became known as German New Guinea. In the same year, the British government proclaimed a protectorate over the southeastern quarter of New Guinea, which was annexed by Britain in 1888. Possession of this territory was then passed to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1902, and it became the Australian Territory of Papua, with Australian administration beginning in 1906.
During World War I, Australian and New Zealand forces captured German New Guinea and the neighbouring islands of the Bismarck Archipelago. Following the war, civil administration of Papua and New Guinea was restored, and in 1945, Papua and New Guinea were combined in an administrative union under the Papua New Guinea Provisional Administration Act. In 1949, the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea were united as the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. This territory was administered by Australia, and in 1971, it was renamed Papua New Guinea.
In 1972, Papua New Guinea adopted self-government under Australian Minister for External Territories Andrew Peacock. On 1 December 1973, it became a self-governing territory, and on 16 September 1975, Papua New Guinea gained independence and became an independent state, with Michael Somare as its first Prime Minister.
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New Zealand is famous for its natural beauty, including Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park
New Zealand is the country directly south of Australia. It is famous for its natural beauty, including the iconic Milford Sound and the breathtaking Fiordland National Park.
Milford Sound, also known as Piopiotahi, is a spectacular fjord nestled deep within the Fiordland National Park. With its majestic combination of towering mountain peaks, ink-like dark waters, and dramatic forest-clad cliffs, it has been dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world" by Rudyard Kipling. The sound is renowned for its hundreds of tiny, picturesque waterfalls that come to life after bouts of rain, contributing to Milford Sound being one of the wettest places on Earth. The area also offers a haven for wildlife, including the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin and bottlenose dolphins.
The Milford Track is a renowned four-day hike through the Fiordland National Park, described as "the finest walk on Earth." The track covers 54 kilometres of breathtaking landscapes, including mountain passes, ancient glacier-carved valleys, and pristine rainforests. The journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound via the Milford Road is a scenic adventure in itself, unveiling striking features such as the Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel.
Fiordland National Park spans 1.2 million hectares of diverse landscapes, including mountain ranges, dense forests, and alpine lakes. It is internationally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Te Wāhipounamu, meaning "Place of the Greenstone." The park is known for its unique collection of fiords, which are mostly named as sounds, a geographical term for a large ocean inlet. The entire area was aptly named Fiordland to convey the sense of majesty it evokes.
The park holds a significant place in the history of the Māori people, who visited the region for hunting, fishing, and gathering takiwai, a unique form of New Zealand jade. Later, European sealers and whalers established small settlements in the fiords, although the challenging terrain and isolation deterred widespread colonization. Today, Fiordland National Park remains a treasured natural icon, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in untouched natural beauty and explore its vast wilderness.
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Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent
Australia is the only First World country on the Australian continent, with one of the largest economies in the world. It is the smallest continent in the world and is the sixth-largest country in the world by surface area, covering 7,741,220 square kilometres (2.99 million square miles).
The Great Dividing Range refers to the long mountain range that begins near the east coast and stretches from the northeastern tip of Queensland, through New South Wales, and into the central part of Victoria. The highest point in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 metres (7,310 feet) is found in this range.
The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. The climate is influenced by its position in the horse latitudes, which tends to bring arid conditions. The Australian landmass has almost all identified rock types spanning virtually all geological time epochs, covering more than 3.8 billion years.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the southernmost country on the Australian continent, so there is no country directly south of Australia. The closest countries to the south of Australia are New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Australia is relatively close to Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.
No, New Zealand is not directly south of Australia, but it is close by. New Zealand is located in the South Pacific, generally considered to be the area south of the equator and east of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The Australian continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and most of the Coral Sea Islands.
