Omari Gates
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of 2.989 million square miles or 7,688,287 square kilometres. It is the smallest continental land mass but the largest island. Australia is about the same size as continental USA and has a similar east-to-west travel distance as the distance between New York and Los Angeles. Two of Australia's states are the second and third largest in the world, with Western Australia at 2.5 million square kilometres and Queensland at 1.8 million square kilometres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rank | Australia is the 6th largest country in the world in terms of total area. |
| Land Area | 7,692,024 square kilometers |
| World Percentage | Australia covers approximately 5.4% of the Earth's total land mass. |
| Population | As of 2023, Australia's population is estimated to be over 26 million people, ranking 56th in the world. |
| Population Density | Australia has a low population density of 3.4 people per square kilometer. |
| Coastline Length | Australia has a coastline of 25,760 kilometers, excluding offshore islands. |
| Highest Point | Mount Kosciuszko, located in New South Wales, is the highest peak at 2,228 meters above sea level. |
| Lowest Point | Lake Eyre, located in South Australia, is the lowest point at 15 meters below sea level. |
| Geographic Center | The geographic center of Australia is located in the sparsely populated Yulara community of the Northern Territory. |
| Human Development Index (HDI) | Australia has a very high HDI of 0.951, ranking 8th in the world as of 2022. |
| Life Expectancy | The average life expectancy in Australia is 83.2 years as of 2022, one of the highest in the world. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Australia is the sixth-largest country
Australia is the smallest continental land mass, but it is the world's largest island. It is made up of the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The country is highly diverse in terms of landscapes and climates, ranging from deserts in the interior to tropical rainforests along the coast. It is also the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent.
The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving in the country from Southeast Asia between 50,000 and 65,000 years ago, during the last glacial period. By the time of British settlement, Aboriginal Australians spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures on Earth. Australia's unique flora and fauna include hundreds of kinds of eucalyptus trees, as well as the only egg-laying mammals on Earth: the platypus and echidna.
Australia has a highly developed economy and is ranked highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights. It has the world's thirteenth-highest military expenditure and is a middle power on the global stage.
Exploring Flight Times: Chicago to Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Russia is the largest country
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil. Russia is the largest country in the world, with a total area of 17,098,242 square kilometres (6,601,665 square miles) and a land area of 16,376,870 square kilometres (6,323,142 square miles). This is equivalent to 11% of the world's total landmass. Most of Russia's population is concentrated in the west, with around 75% living in the European part of the country. In contrast, around 75% of Russia's territory is in Asia, with the Ural Mountains considered the continental border.
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It has a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles), accounting for just 5% of the world's land area. Although Australia is the smallest continental land mass, it is the largest island in the world.
Russia's size is notable, and it is much larger than Australia, which is already one of the most extensive countries. Russia's land area is more than double that of Australia, and its total area, including inland waters, is even greater. This makes Russia the largest country in the world in terms of area, with a size that spans a significant portion of the Earth's landmass.
The vastness of Russia has implications for its population distribution. While most people live in the western regions, particularly in the European part of the country, the eastern territories are less densely populated. This uneven distribution of population across such a large land area presents unique challenges and opportunities for Russia's development and governance.
In contrast, Australia's population is highly urbanised and concentrated on the eastern seaboard. Despite being a large country, Australia's population is mostly urban and clustered in specific regions, which can impact infrastructure, resource distribution, and the overall character of the nation.
Sprinkler System Requirements for Australian Buildings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Big Country [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1un+XuI7+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Australia is the smallest continent
Australia is sometimes referred to as Oceania, which includes not only Australia but also New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and other islands in the Central and South Pacific. However, despite being a continent, Australia is often considered the largest island due to its geography. It is the largest single country to exist entirely within the Southern Hemisphere.
The continent of Australia is sometimes known by the names Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to differentiate it from the country of Australia. The name "Sahul" is derived from the Sahul Shelf, which is a part of the continental shelf of the Australian continent. During the Pleistocene ice age, including the Last Glacial Maximum around 18,000 BC, they were connected by dry land into a combined landmass known as Sahul.
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area and is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent.
Australian Fairy Bread: A Sweet and Simple Treat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Russia, Canada, China, the US, and Brazil are larger
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles). It accounts for just 5% of the world's land area and is the smallest continental land mass. However, Australia is the largest country in Oceania and the world's largest island.
Five countries are larger than Australia. Russia is the largest country in the world, with a total area of 17,098,242 square kilometres (6,601,665 square miles). This is equivalent to 11% of the world's landmass. Canada is the second-largest country, followed by China, the US, and Brazil.
While China's total area is uncertain due to unknown coastal and territorial water figures, it is larger than the US when excluding these factors. The United Nations Statistics Division, the CIA World Factbook, and the Encyclopædia Britannica all rank the US ahead of China in total area. However, these rankings include coastal and territorial waters for the US but exclude them for China.
Russia's land area is equivalent to 16,376,870 square kilometres (6,323,142 square miles). Canada, China, the US, and Brazil have diverse landscapes and climates, with a combined land area exceeding that of Australia.
Aniseed in Australia: A Natural Wonder Down Under
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Big Country [Region 2]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ONxu2SmeL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Australia is the largest island
Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is considered the smallest continental land mass, and the largest island. With a total area of 7,688,287 sq km (2,968,464 sq mi), it is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania.
The distinction between an island and a continent is not always clear. Geographers consider islands and continents to be separate things, with an island being a mass of land that is "entirely surrounded by water" and "smaller than a continent". Australia is considered a continent because it sits on its own tectonic plate and has unique flora and fauna. However, the term ""island continent" is sometimes used to describe Australia, and the idea of Australia as an island predates the modern definition of a continent.
Australia is far bigger than Greenland, which is considered the world's largest island. Australia is nearly four times the size of Greenland and has a much larger population. If the two landmasses were closer in size, there might be a stronger case for classifying Australia as an island and Greenland as a continent.
Australia has a highly urbanized population of almost 28 million, with the majority of people living on the eastern seaboard. The country has a diverse culture and one of the world's highest foreign-born populations. It also has a highly developed economy and is ranked highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
Haunting Discoveries in an Abandoned Australian Zoo
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Russia is the largest country in the world, with a total area of 17,098,242 square kilometres.
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres.
Australia accounts for just 5% of the world's land area.
Australia is the smallest continent.
Sydney and Melbourne are the most populous cities in Australia, both with a population of more than five million.
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
