Lexi Webster
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country, a continent, and a big island. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world, with a population of about 25.4 million people as of 2020. Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is surrounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. The country has a diverse geography, including vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and significant mountain ranges. It is known for its unique plant and animal life, with the famous Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, spanning its northeast coast. Australia's mainland is divided into six states and two territories, with the capital city of Canberra located in the southeast.
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What You'll Learn
Australia's geographical features
Australia is the smallest continent and is part of Oceania. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. It has a diverse range of geographical features, including vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and sizable mountain ranges. It is both the flattest and, excluding Antarctica, the driest continent. Its landscape features vast plains, which, when seen from above, may give the impression of one huge desert. However, this is deceptive, as the same plains have supported the world's largest wool industry.
The country has three distinct physiographic regions, from east to west: the East Australian Highlands, the Interior Lowlands (also known as the Central Lowlands), and the Western Plateau. The Central Lowlands are fertile basins with the Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest groundwater basins globally. The Murray-Darling Basin, Australia's most extensive river system, is in southeastern Australia.
The country has over 8,000 islands within its territory. Tasmania is the largest, located 240 km south of the eastern mainland. Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island, and Kangaroo Island is known for its diverse wildlife. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's most expansive coral reef system, spans over 2,300 km along the northeast coast of Queensland and is home to thousands of marine species.
The country experiences a range of climates due to its size and diverse topography. The northern regions have a tropical climate, with distinct dry and wet seasons. Southern regions have a temperate climate, experiencing all four seasons. Central Australia has an arid climate, with low rainfall and high temperatures.
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Neighbouring countries
Australia is the smallest of the seven continents and is surrounded by oceans. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia does not share a land border with any other nation but lies close to several countries and territories.
To the north of Australia are Indonesia, East Timor (also called Timor-Leste), and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the French dependency of New Caledonia are located to the east of Australia. New Zealand is also a close neighbour to the east of Australia. Other neighbouring countries and territories include Malaysia, the Philippines, and the numerous islands that are part of Oceania.
The continent of Australia includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea, which is a province of Indonesia), the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other nearby islands. The continent is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to distinguish it from the country of Australia.
Australia is divided into six states and two major mainland territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two mainland territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
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Capitals and major cities
Australia is officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country globally, with a population of about 25.4 million people. The country is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. It is divided into six states and two territories, with eight capital cities. The capital cities are Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and the national capital, Canberra.
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, a state known for its rolling vineyards and rugged outback landscapes. It is located on the southern coast of Australia and is renowned for its vibrant culture and cuisine, with a population of over 1.3 million people.
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, often referred to as the "Sunshine State." It is situated in the subtropical region of northeast Australia and is known for its vibrant urban life and proximity to natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, embodying the quintessential Australian outback experience. It boasts iconic natural landmarks such as Uluru, Kakadu National Park, and Litchfield National Park.
Hobart serves as the capital of Tasmania, an island state located south of the Australian mainland. Tasmania is known for its breathtaking natural scenery, including rugged mountains, pristine waterways, and untouched wilderness areas.
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, has been hailed as the "Most Liveable City in the World" on multiple occasions. It is celebrated for its cultural diversity, modern cityscape, and proximity to renowned attractions such as the Grampians National Park and the Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road.
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the largest state by area and is situated on the west coast of the country. Perth is renowned for its serene, uncrowded beaches, lush parklands, and fresh seafood offerings.
Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is Australia's biggest city. It boasts a bustling metropolis nestled on the shores of Port Jackson, offering a seamless blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. Sydney is known for its iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
Lastly, Canberra, the national capital, is located between Sydney and Melbourne. It serves as the administrative and political centre of the country, housing important government institutions and embassies.
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Environmental issues
Australia is a nation of islands with over 8,000 islands in its territory. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country globally, with a population of about 25.4 million people (as of 2020). Australia is bounded by two significant bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. It is characterised by extensive coastal lowlands, large deserts, and mountain ranges.
Australia faces several environmental issues that impact its ecology and natural resources. Here are some key environmental concerns:
Climate Change and Invasive Species
Climate change, along with the introduction of foreign plants and animals, is causing drastic changes to Australia's environment. This has led to a decline in the distribution and abundance of many species, with natural resources like water becoming scarce.
Deforestation and Soil Salinity
Deforestation has increased soil salinity in Australia, particularly in Western Australia, where around 7% of the agricultural area is affected. Saline water from deforested areas can contaminate downstream water sources, impacting water quality. Deforestation also destroys habitats and contributes to land degradation, costing Australia about $1 billion annually.
Land Clearing and Overgrazing
Agricultural land clearing and overgrazing have removed about 13% of Australia's original vegetation since European settlement. Overgrazing promotes desertification, soil erosion, and the spread of invasive plants. It is a significant pressure point for biodiversity loss in Australia.
Waterway Health and Pollution
Australia's waterways face several environmental challenges. The Murray-Darling Basin, Australia's largest river system, is under threat due to irrigation, leading to high salinity levels and affecting agriculture and biodiversity. Rivers are also impacted by pesticide runoff, drought, and low oxygen levels, causing fish kills. Additionally, pollution from urban areas, including contamination by toxins, chemicals, and litter, further degrades waterway health.
Marine Conservation and the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, faces environmental pressures from water quality issues, climate change, coral bleaching, overfishing, and shipping accidents. The creation of national marine parks aims to protect a significant portion of Australia's marine territory.
These issues are of primary concern to environmental movements in Australia, and various campaigns, such as the Big Switch, advocate for taking action to protect the environment.
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Oceania and Australasia
In the 19th century, the term Australasia was sometimes used to collectively refer to Australia, New Zealand, and the islands of Melanesia. However, this term has fallen out of favour in modern usage, especially in New Zealand, due to its association with Australia and the potential for confusion between the two. The term Oceania, as a broader and more inclusive term, is now preferred in most contexts.
Australia itself is a large island and the smallest continent on Earth. It is officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia and is located in the Southern Hemisphere, bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia has a total area of approximately 7,741,220 square kilometres (around 2.99 million square miles), making it the sixth-largest country in the world. It comprises six states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia; and two major mainland territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, with Canberra as the national capital.
Australia's geography is characterised by vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert, and significant mountain ranges like the Great Dividing Range. It has a diverse landscape, including famous natural landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the southern part of the Northern Territory. Australia is known for its unique plant and animal life, with a vast array of species found nowhere else on Earth.
New Zealand, another prominent part of Oceania, is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from lush rainforests to volcanic mountains and fiords. The country has a unique biodiversity, with many endemic species found only within its islands.
Other island nations and territories within Oceania include Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa, and various Pacific island groups. Each of these contributes to the rich cultural and ecological diversity of the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia has vast coastline, extensive deserts, and sizable mountain ranges. It is made up of six states and two mainland territories. The major cities in Australia include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
Australia shares maritime borders with Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and New Zealand.
Australia has vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert, and mountain ranges like the Great Dividing Range. It also has major lakes, rivers, and surrounding islands. The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world, is located off the northeast coast of Australia.
The capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
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