Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a continent surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Arafura Sea, the Timor Sea, the Coral Sea, the Tasman Sea, and the South Pacific Ocean. Historically, Australia was referred to as an island country due to its lack of land borders. However, with the advent of plate tectonics in the 1950s and 1960s, it became widely recognized as a continent. Australia is nearly four times the size of Greenland, the largest island in the world. Australia's unique flora and fauna, its distinct culture, and its position on the Australian tectonic plate further solidify its classification as a continent.
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What You'll Learn
Australia's size
Australia is a continent that is nearly four times the size of Greenland, the largest island. Australia spans an area of about 7.6 million square kilometres, making it the sixth-largest country in the world. In contrast, Russia, the largest country globally, is more than twice the size of Australia, spanning 17.1 million square kilometres. Australia's size is further emphasised by its small population density and expansive interior, with its closest rival in size being the United States, which is only 29% larger.
The continent is divided into six states and two territories, with each division boasting its own unique charm, culture, and geographical features. The largest state in Australia, Western Australia, covers approximately 2.6 million square kilometres, encompassing arid deserts and fertile wine regions. New South Wales, the most populous state, covers 801,150 square kilometres and is home to the iconic city of Sydney. Victoria, a smaller but densely populated state, spans 227,444 square kilometres and boasts Melbourne, often hailed as Australia's cultural hub.
While there is ambiguity in the definitions of continents and islands, with Australia being considered both by some, its sheer size is a significant factor in classifying it as a continent rather than an island.
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![Geography of the Australian Colonies With a Brief Sketch of the Islands of Australasia 1854 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Australia's unique flora and fauna
Australia is a continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans, making it an island. However, it is not referred to as one because of its size. Australia is nearly four times the size of Greenland, which is considered the largest island.
Australia has a diverse range of flora and fauna, with many species found nowhere else in the world. The country supports nearly 600,000 native species, and about 85% of its plant species are endemic. Australia is home to half of the world's marsupial species, including kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. The country's subterranean fauna is also quite unique, with many species occurring exclusively in Australia, such as the communities found in the limestone caves underneath the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge in southwest Western Australia.
The high level of endemism in Australia's fauna can be attributed to the continent's long geographic isolation, tectonic stability, and the effects of a unique pattern of climate change on the soil and flora over time. Australia's fauna also includes a large variety of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, with many endemic species. The relative scarcity of native placental mammals has allowed marsupials to occupy ecological niches, including macropods, possums, and dasyuromorphs.
Unfortunately, Australia has experienced a significant loss of biodiversity due to human activities, such as the introduction of exotic species, overgrazing, and the decimation of native vegetation. Conservation efforts, such as the creation of reserves and legislation like the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, aim to protect Australia's unique flora and fauna. These efforts are crucial in safeguarding the country's pristine areas and preventing the extinction of endangered species.
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Australia's history and culture
Australia is a country rich in history and culture. The human habitation of the Australian continent is estimated to have begun between 50,000 and 65,000 years ago, with the migration of people from what is now Southeast Asia. The Aboriginal Australians, who spoke 250 distinct languages, had one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Their culture was deeply connected to the land and the environment, with stories of The Dreaming passed down through oral traditions, songs, dances, and paintings.
The written history of Australia began with Dutch explorations of its coastline in the 17th century, followed by British colonisation in 1788 with the establishment of the penal colony of New South Wales. This period marked a significant shift for Aboriginal populations, as contact with European settlers introduced new diseases and conflicts.
Today, Australia is a highly diverse country, with one of the highest foreign-born populations globally. Its contemporary culture reflects the influence of Indigenous traditions, Anglo-Celtic heritage, and a post-1945 history of multicultural immigration. The country's unique artistic and literary traditions have been shaped by the interplay between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, with ancient Aboriginal inventions like the boomerang, the didgeridoo, and Indigenous music becoming iconic symbols of Australia.
The country's cuisine also showcases its diverse cultural influences, with meat pies, tomato sauce, Vegemite, Pavlova, and lamingtons considered part of the Australian culinary experience. Additionally, the 'beach-going culture' is significant, with nearly 80% of the population living within 50km of the ocean.
Australia's cultural diversity is further reflected in its religious sites, including the Central Adelaide Mosque, the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Wollongong, and the Gothic-style Great Synagogue in Sydney. The country's unique history and natural environment have also contributed to variations in styles inherited from its various migrant communities, creating a distinct Australian cultural landscape.
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Australia's geography and land borders
Australia is a continent surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Timor and Arafura seas to the northwest, the Coral Sea and the Torres Strait to the northeast, the Tasman Sea to the southeast, and the Coral Sea Islands 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). Australia's jurisdiction extends to the island of Tasmania in the south and to the southern shores of Papua New Guinea in the north. Australia also governs several external territories, including Norfolk Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, and the Coral Sea Islands.
Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world, covering approximately 7.75 million square kilometers (about 3 million square miles). It is nearly four times the size of Greenland, the largest island. The vast difference in size between the two is often cited as a reason for their distinct classifications. Australia rests on its own tectonic plate, the Australian Plate, and has a unique flora and fauna, with native animals like kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils found nowhere else on Earth.
Historically, Australia was referred to as an island country due to its lack of land borders. Europeans discovered Australia in 1606, initially believing it to be part of Asia. By the late 18th century, some geographers considered Australia a continent, and in 1813, Samuel Butler described it as "an immense island, which some geographers dignify with the appellation of another continent."
The distinction between an island and a continent is not always clear-cut, and there are no official criteria that a landmass must meet to be considered a continent. Some argue that the selection of criteria for determining a boundary is arbitrary. Australia's classification as a continent rather than an island may be due to its size, its position on its own tectonic plate, and its unique flora and fauna.
In conclusion, Australia's geography is characterized by its mainland, which extends over a large distance from west to east and northeast to southeast, and its surrounding seas and islands. Its land borders include the island of Tasmania and Papua New Guinea to the north, and it governs several external territories. Australia's size, unique geological and ecological features, and historical context contribute to its classification as a continent rather than an island.
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Australia's continental shelf
Australia is an island continent, with every state (excluding the Northern Territory and the ACT) surrounded by ocean waters. To the south lies the Southern Ocean, to the west is the Indian Ocean, and to the east is the Pacific Ocean. The shallow extension of the landmass surrounding Australia is known as its continental shelf. This shelf is relatively shallow, with a depth of up to 200 meters, compared to the thousands of meters deep in the open ocean. It extends outward to the continental slope, where the deep ocean begins.
The continental shelf of Australia is wide in the north, extending over 200 kilometers in places, and reaching the New Guinea islands. In contrast, it narrows in the south, with a width of less than 10 kilometers in some areas. The Arafura Shelf, part of the continental shelf, formed a land bridge between Australia, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands. This land bridge allowed for the sharing of marsupial mammals, land birds, and freshwater fish between these regions.
The existence of an extensive continental shelf, known as the Sahul Shelf, was first suggested by George Windsor Earl in 1845. Earl noted the presence of kangaroos in Australia, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands, indicating a connection between these lands. During the Pleistocene ice age, the Sahul Shelf was exposed as dry land due to falling sea levels. Evidence of this ancient shoreline has been found at depths of 100 to 140 meters below the current sea level.
In recent years, Australia has proclaimed an extended continental shelf, legally defining its outer limits and asserting exclusive rights to seabed resources. This proclamation was made possible by Australia's fulfillment of its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The area of extended continental shelf is greater than the land mass of Australia itself. However, it is important to note that this proclamation does not represent new territorial claims, particularly in the Antarctic Treaty area.
The continental shelf plays a crucial role in providing key goods and services, such as coastal protection, food supply, and life-support functions. It also contributes significantly to Australia's economy through industries like fisheries, tourism, and shipping. Additionally, the shelf supports a diverse range of marine species and enables the existence of reef-building corals at higher latitudes.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is widely considered a continent, but there is some debate. Australia is surrounded by water, and some argue that it is both an island and a continent.
An island is a body of land surrounded by water.
There are no official conditions for a landmass to be considered a continent. However, it must fulfil most of the following criteria: unique flora and fauna, distinct culture, and its own tectonic plate.
Australia has its own unique flora and fauna, a distinct culture, and sits on its own tectonic plate, called the Australian Plate.
Australia is nearly four times larger than Greenland, which is considered an island. Australia's size is a key factor in its classification as a continent.
