Leslie Massey
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country that comprises 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. Australia does not share land borders with any other nation, but it lies relatively close to Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the French dependency of New Caledonia to the east, and New Zealand to the southeast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continent | Australia is the smallest continent |
| Country | Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania |
| Hemisphere | Southern and Eastern Hemispheres |
| Bodies of Water | Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east |
| Area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) or 7,617,930 km² |
| Population | 25.4 million (in 2020) |
| Wealth | Second-highest amount of wealth per adult, after Luxembourg |
| Economy | 14th-largest economy with the second-highest human development index globally |
| Military Expenditure | 13th-highest in the world |
| Capital | Canberra |
| Major Cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Neighbouring Countries | Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia (France), New Zealand |
| Mountain | Mount Kosciusko, the highest mountain in Australia at 2,228 m (7,310 ft) |
| River | Murray River, Australia's longest river at 2,508 km (1,558 miles) |
| Environmental Issues | Soil erosion, soil salinity, limited natural freshwater resources, problems with desertification |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's neighbouring countries
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia is geographically positioned in the Southern Hemisphere and partially in the Eastern Hemisphere of the Earth. It is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and a series of bays, gulfs, seas, and straits.
Australia does not share any land borders with other nations. However, it is relatively close to several countries. To the north, Australia is separated from Papua New Guinea by the Coral Sea and Torres Strait. Indonesia and East Timor lie across the Timor and Arafura Seas to the northwest. To the northeast are the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the French dependency of New Caledonia. To the southeast lies New Zealand, separated by the Tasman Sea. Finally, Antarctica is located to the south of Australia across the Indian Ocean.
Among these neighbouring countries, New Zealand is often regarded as Australia's closest neighbour, offering stunning landscapes and a unique Maori culture. Papua New Guinea, located just north of Australia, is also one of the nearest countries and is known for its lush rainforests, towering mountains, and pristine beaches. Indonesia, the nearest country to Australia's west, is another close neighbour with a vibrant and diverse culture, enchanting natural wonders, and welcoming people.
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The Great Dividing Range
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. It is surrounded by Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Antarctica.
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The Central Lowlands
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania, located between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere. It is geographically synonymous with vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and sizable mountain ranges.
The Interior Lowlands are dominated by three major basins: the Carpentaria Basin, the Eyre Basin, and the Murray Basin. The Eyre Basin includes the catchment area of Lake Eyre, which extends over some 500,000 square miles (1,295,000 square kilometres) of central and northern Australia. It occupies the lowest point of the Australian continent (about 50 feet or 15 metres below sea level) and is drained by many large river systems. The Carpentaria Basin is partly inundated by the sea, while the Murray Basin is separated from the Otway Basin and the Southern Ocean by the Padthaway Ridge.
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The Western Plateau
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is situated to the south of Maritime Southeast Asia and to the north of Antarctica. It is separated from Papua New Guinea by the Coral Sea and Torres Strait to the northeast, and from Indonesia by the Timor and Arafura Seas to the northwest.
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The Great Barrier Reef
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia does not share land borders with any other nation.
The reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human activities such as fishing and tourism. However, the reef faces environmental pressures, including the runoff of human-made pollutants, climate change, and coral bleaching. Despite these challenges, the Great Barrier Reef remains one of the seven wonders of the natural world, enchanting visitors with its unique and exotic islands and spectacular maritime scenery.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It does not share land borders with any other nation. However, it is surrounded by oceans and seas and shares maritime borders with Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia (France), and New Zealand.
Australia is geographically positioned in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. The Australian mainland extends from west to east for nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) and from the northeast to the southeast for nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 km). The country is known for its vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and sizable mountain ranges.
Oceania is a term used to refer to one of the parts of the world, including Australia and other Pacific islands. In some countries, Australia is considered a continent, while in others, it is regarded as an island nation within Oceania.
