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Australia is a large country located in the Southern Hemisphere. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. The Southern Hemisphere tends to have gentler climates than the Northern Hemisphere, with the exception of the Antarctic, which is cooler than the Arctic. The Southern Hemisphere contains parts of five continents and four oceans, and among the largest metropolitan areas in the Southern Hemisphere are Jakarta, São Paulo, and Sydney.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hemisphere | Southern |
| Population | 24,942,488 |
| World Population Percentage | 0.33% |
| Land Area | 7,741,220 km2 (2.99 million mi2) |
| Total Area | 29,679,095 mi2 |
| Land Area Percentage | 2,941,299 mi2 |
| Water Area Percentage | 26,610 mi2 |
| Number of States | 6 |
| Number of Territories | 2 |
| Highest Point | Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m or 7,310 ft) |
| Longest River | Murray River (2,508 km or 1,558 miles) |
| Largest Metropolitan Area | Sydney (5 million) |
| Nominal GDP per Capita | US$63,487 |
| Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.946 |
| Unique Species | Eucalyptus, Nothofagus |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere contains all or parts of five continents, including the whole of Australia, and four oceans. It has less land than the Northern Hemisphere, and its surface is 80.9% water, compared to 60.7% in the Northern Hemisphere. The seasons are also reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, with summer falling between December and February, and winter between June and August.
Australia is home to unique flora and fauna, including the eucalyptus tree and the penguin, which are native to the country. The country is characterised by vast coastal lowlands, expansive deserts, and significant mountain ranges. The Great Dividing Range, also known as the Eastern Highlands, runs parallel to the east coast of Australia, and includes the country's highest point, Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 m (7,310 ft). The Central Lowlands, lying between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau, consist of the Murray-Darling Basin, a vital agricultural region, and the Great Artesian Basin. The Western Plateau covers around 70% of Australia's landmass and includes vast deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert and the Simpson Desert.
Among the largest metropolitan areas in the Southern Hemisphere are Sydney and Melbourne, with populations of around 5 million each. Sydney is also home to the Australian Securities Exchange, one of the important financial and commercial centres in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia has a population of approximately 24,942,488 people, accounting for about 0.33% of the world's total population.
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The Southern Hemisphere has less land and power
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which contains all or parts of five continents: the whole of Antarctica, the whole of Australia, about 90% of South America, about one-third of Africa, and some islands off the continental mainland of Asia. It also contains four oceans: the whole Southern Ocean, the majority of the Indian Ocean, the South Atlantic Ocean, and the South Pacific Ocean. The Southern Hemisphere has less land than the Northern Hemisphere, with only about 32.7% of the Earth's land mass located within it. This has implications for population density and economic output, with the Northern Hemisphere being more densely populated and having a higher overall economic output.
There are several reasons why the Southern Hemisphere has less land and power. Firstly, the shape and movement of Earth's tectonic plates have resulted in more landmass concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. This has led to more opportunities for agriculture and development in the north. Additionally, the Southern Hemisphere has a lower population density, with only about 10% of the world's population residing in this hemisphere. This can be partly attributed to the prevalence of arid and semi-arid climates in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in Africa and Australia, which pose challenges for agriculture and development.
Furthermore, historical factors have played a significant role in the economic disparities between the two hemispheres. For centuries, European powers colonized large parts of the Southern Hemisphere, including Africa, South America, and parts of Asia and Oceania. During this time, colonial powers systematically exploited the resources and people of these regions, leaving colonized nations with devastated economies, limited infrastructure, and a lack of skilled labor. The imposition of artificial boundaries and governance models by colonial systems also led to internal conflicts and instability in the Southern Hemisphere, hindering economic growth and creating environments less conducive to investment and development.
In addition to the legacy of colonialism, the Southern Hemisphere has also faced challenges in keeping up with technological advancements and industrial revolutions that occurred in the Northern Hemisphere. The most developed regions shifted north into northern Europe, China, and the Americas, leaving the Southern Hemisphere behind economically. Additionally, some countries in the Southern Hemisphere have limited access to crucial resources like oil, minerals, and navigable waterways, which further hinders their economic activities and industrial development.
Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to boost economic engagement within the Southern Hemisphere. Australia, for example, is considered the most developed country in the Southern Hemisphere, with a high nominal GDP per capita and Human Development Index (HDI). Other countries, such as Barbados, have also achieved relative prosperity through key economic drivers like tourism and foreign investment. However, overall, the Southern Hemisphere continues to lag behind the Northern Hemisphere in terms of economic power and development.
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The Southern Hemisphere has gentler climates
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which is the half of Earth that lies south of the equator. The Southern Hemisphere contains parts of five continents, including the whole of Australia, and four oceans. It has a milder climate than the Northern Hemisphere due to its higher water-to-land ratio. Water warms and cools more slowly than land, resulting in gentler climate patterns.
The Southern Hemisphere has a unique set of forests, with Australia and Chile sharing a unique beech species, Nothofagus, and New Zealand boasting members of the closely related genera Lophozonia and Fuscospora. The eucalyptus, native to Australia, is now also found in Southern Africa and Latin America. The Southern Hemisphere is also home to the majority of the world's penguin species.
The Earth's tilt of 23.5 degrees from its axis is what gives rise to the seasons. This tilt orients the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in opposite directions, so when one points inward toward the sun, the other points away. As a result, the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer from December to February and winter from June to August.
In addition to milder climates, the Southern Hemisphere also experiences more intense weather events and a stronger jet stream. However, the Northern Hemisphere has larger mountain ranges that contribute to storm formation. The Southern Hemisphere has a higher proportion of ocean to land, and ocean circulation plays a significant role in the climate of both hemispheres. The Gulf Stream, for example, originates in the Southern Hemisphere but flows northeast off the U.S. East Coast, influencing the climate in the Northern Hemisphere.
While the Southern Hemisphere has a gentler climate overall, it is important to note that the Northern Hemisphere is currently warming at a faster rate due to its higher landmass and the influence of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. This warming trend in the Northern Hemisphere is projected to continue in the coming decades, which may have significant implications for global climate patterns.
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Australia is the smallest continent
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which has traditionally been secondary in the global distribution of demographic, economic, and political power. The continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other nearby islands.
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to distinguish it from the country of Australia. The name "Sahul" is derived from the Sahul Shelf, a part of the continent's continental shelf. Australia has a total land area of 8.56 million square kilometers (3,310,000 sq mi), making it the smallest, lowest, flattest, and second-driest continent on Earth.
In addition to being the smallest continent, Australia is also considered an island and an island nation. It is the world's sixth-largest country, covering approximately 7,741,220 square kilometers (2.99 million square miles) or 29,679,095 square miles, including land and water regions. Australia's population of around 24,942,488 people accounts for only 0.33% of the world's total population.
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Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which is the half of Earth that is south of the equator. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east, as well as a series of bays, gulfs, seas, and straits. It is bounded by Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia to the east, and New Zealand to the southeast. Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania, covering a total area of about 7,741,220 square kilometres (around 2.99 million square miles).
The Southern Hemisphere has less land than the Northern Hemisphere, and it has long been secondary in the global distribution of demographic, economic, and political power. However, countries like Australia have recently made greater efforts to economically engage with their hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere is home to unique flora and fauna, such as the eucalyptus tree and the penguin, which are native to Australia and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia's geography is characterised by vast coastal lowlands, extensive deserts, and significant mountain ranges. The Great Dividing Range, also known as the Eastern Highlands, runs parallel to the east coast of Australia and contains the country's highest point, Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 metres (7,310 feet). The Central Lowlands, lying between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau, include Australia's most extensive agricultural region, the Murray-Darling Basin, and the Great Artesian Basin.
The Western Plateau covers nearly 70% of Australia's landmass and includes vast deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Simpson Desert. Australia's population is approximately 24,942,488 people, accounting for only 0.33% of the world's total population. As a result of its location in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia experiences summer from December to February and winter from June to August.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Southern Hemisphere contains all or parts of five continents and four oceans. It has less land than the Northern Hemisphere and is therefore secondary in the global distribution of demographic, economic and political power. However, countries like Australia are trying to change this by economically engaging more with other countries in their hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere is also home to unique flora and fauna, such as the eucalyptus tree and the penguin.
The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are flipped compared to those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is from December to February, and winter is from June to August.
