Damon Mcknight
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is one of the largest countries on Earth and is officially called the Commonwealth of Australia. The continent of Australia includes the Australian mainland, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The continent is also home to Papua New Guinea, a culturally and linguistically diverse country. Australia is a highly urbanized country with a population of about 25 million people, and its capital is Canberra.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continent | Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Total land area | 7,688,287 km2 (2,968,464 sq mi) or 8.56 million km2 (3,310,000 sq mi) |
| Population | 25-28 million |
| Capital | Canberra |
| Largest city | Sydney |
| Other major cities | Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide |
| Language | English |
| Diversity | One of the highest foreign-born populations in the world |
| Economy | Highly developed, one of the highest per capita incomes globally |
| Military expenditure | 13th highest |
| Natural resources | Minerals, metals, gold, wool, wheat, beef, fruit, wine |
| Climate | Wet tropical in the northeast and northwest, arid in the center, temperate and humid in the coastal south |
| Geography | The Great Dividing Range, the Great Artesian Basin, the Great Barrier Reef |
| Flora and fauna | Eucalyptus trees, platypus, echidna, kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, dingoes, acacias, golden wattle, funnel-web spiders, venomous snakes |
| Culture | Australian rules football, swimming, surfing, sailing, tennis, soccer, cricket |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia
Australia is a country that comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the only country in the continent of Australia. Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by total area, covering 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It is also the largest country in Oceania, the geographical region in which the Australian continent is situated.
The Australian continent is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to distinguish it from the country of Australia. The continent includes the mainland of Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea, which comprises Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea. Australia, the country, makes up most of the continent and is sometimes considered the world's largest island. It has a total coastline of 34,218 kilometres (21,262 miles), excluding all offshore islands.
Australia is a highly urbanised country with a population of about 25 million people. Its most populous cities are Sydney and Melbourne, each with more than five million people. The country has a diverse culture and is known for its unique flora and fauna, including eucalyptus trees, kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, is one of the world's foremost tourist attractions.
Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with Canberra as its capital. It has a highly developed economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally. The country ranks highly in various areas, including quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
In summary, Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia, and it covers most of the continent's landmass. The country of Australia encompasses the mainland, Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands, offering a diverse range of landscapes and a unique natural environment.
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Australia is the smallest continent in the world
Australia is a country and a continent, and it is the smallest of the world's seven continents. Covering about 7.7 million square kilometres (approximately 3 million square miles or 8 million square kilometres), it represents just 6% of the Earth's total land area. Australia is the only continent entirely surrounded by the ocean, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, Meganesia, or Oceania to distinguish it from the country of Australia. The name "Sahul" comes from the Sahul Shelf, which is part of the continental shelf of the Australian continent. Oceania, a term that came into use in the 1950s, refers to a region that includes Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and other islands in the Central and South Pacific.
The Australian continent includes the nation of Australia, the nation of Papua New Guinea, and the island nation of New Zealand. Australia, the country, is the largest landmass in the continent and is highly urbanised, with its population of almost 28 million heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard. The country has one of the world's highest foreign-born populations, the 14th-largest economy, and the second-highest human development index globally.
Australia, the continent, is known for its diverse landscapes and climates. It has expansive deserts, lush wetlands, towering mountains, and winding rivers. The western plateau and much of the centre are arid or semi-arid desert regions, while the coastal south is temperate and humid, and the northeast and northwest are tropical. Australia is also known for its unique flora and fauna, including eucalyptus trees, acacias, koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, and echidnas.
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Australia is a highly urbanised country
Sydney and Melbourne are the most populous cities, with over five million people each. Sydney boasts a diverse food scene, including Japanese BBQ, Korean, Lebanese, Greek, and Turkish cuisine. The city also offers a range of cultural experiences, such as the new Sydney Fish Market and a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly, providing a unique perspective of the city. Melbourne, known for its cultural diversity, scored perfect marks in education and healthcare and has a vibrant cultural life in areas like Carlisle Street in Balaclava and Sydney Road in Brunswick.
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is praised for its mix of nature and comprehensive infrastructure. With a population of nearly 1.5 million, it offers accessibility, simplicity, and affordability. Residents appreciate the reliable public transportation and the ability to navigate the city efficiently.
Australia's urbanisation is influenced by its history as a British penal colony and subsequent waves of immigration. Initially, convict settlements were scattered along the east coast and in Western Australia. However, free settlers, primarily from Britain and Ireland, and later from other European countries, became the majority of immigrants after 1788. The state of South Australia was settled entirely by these free settlers. The Gold Rush in the 1850s attracted Asian and Eastern European immigrants, contributing to Australia's diverse society.
Today, Australia has one of the highest foreign-born populations globally, with the world's ninth-largest immigrant population. The country maintains strong international relations, including a deeply integrated relationship with neighbouring New Zealand, and ranks highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
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![from unincorporated territory [lukao]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719TH1uzjfL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Australia is the world's driest inhabited continent
Australia is a country and a continent in its own right, the smallest of the world's seven continents. It is also the largest country in Oceania, comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and about 18% is desert. The country has a high evaporation rate, with over 75% of the landmass experiencing a potential evaporation rate higher than 98.4 inches per year. Some areas in central Australia experience potential evaporation roughly 20 times greater than the annual rainfall.
The Australian continent has the highest percentage of dry climates across its land mass. Approximately 50% of the continent receives 11.8 inches or less per year, while 80% of the landmass receives 23.6 inches or less annually. The country's aridity is influenced by its position in the "horse latitudes," which brings arid conditions. Australia's isolation from other continents also contributes to the uniqueness of its climate and the singularity of its plant and animal life.
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Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. It is a representative democracy, where citizens vote in federal elections to elect members of parliament to represent them and make laws on their behalf. These elections are held approximately every three years. The Australian Parliament has the power to make laws on national matters such as defence, immigration, trade, and foreign affairs.
Australia is also a constitutional monarchy, with a king or queen as the head of state. The monarch's power is limited, and they must follow the country's constitution and accepted practices or conventions. The current head of state of Australia is His Majesty King Charles III, who also serves as the head of state of the United Kingdom and fourteen other Commonwealth realms. A Governor-General is appointed to act on behalf of the King in Australia.
Australia comprises six states and ten territories, including the mainland Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, numerous smaller offshore islands, and remote offshore territories such as the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, and Norfolk Island. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country globally, with a highly urbanized population of almost 28 million.
The Australian continent is sometimes referred to as an island continent, and it is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is known for its unique flora and fauna, including eucalyptus trees, platypuses, kangaroos, and koalas. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the northeast coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia. However, the Australian continent includes the mainland of Australia, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
Canberra is the capital of Australia. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory and is the administrative and political centre of the country.
Australia has a population of about 25 million people. It is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world, with nearly a quarter of its population born outside the country.
