Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is a country and continent that is surrounded by the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the smallest continent in the world and the sixth-largest country by total area. Australia has a coastline of 25,760 kilometres (16,010 mi) according to The World Factbook, and 66,530 kilometres (41,340 mi) according to the World Resources Institute. However, Australia's capital city, Canberra, is not a coastal city. It is located inland in the Australian Capital Territory, approximately 285 kilometres (177 miles) from the nearest coast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Canberra |
| Continent | Australia |
| Position | Southern Hemisphere |
| Size | Sixth-largest country in the world |
| Coastline | 25,760 kilometres (16,010 mi) or 66,530 kilometres (41,340 mi) |
| Landmass | Lowest, flattest, and oldest |
| Geography | Arid, semi-arid, and globally isolated |
| Population | 23 million by 2014 |
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What You'll Learn
Canberra is the only non-coastal Australian city
Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and its eighth-largest city by population. It is the only non-coastal city in the country. It is situated at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range. The city is home to around 473,855 people, as of June 2024.
Canberra was founded following the federation of the Australian colonies as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities, vying to be the national capital. It was formally named in 1913 and its construction began the same year. The city is located in southeastern mainland Australia, surrounded by the state of New South Wales.
Canberra is the seat of the Government of Australia and is home to important federal government institutions, national monuments, and museums. These include Parliament House, Government House, the High Court, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery, and the National Library. The city also hosts all foreign embassies in Australia and the headquarters of many international organisations.
Canberra has a thriving economy with a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, professional services, education, retail, accommodation, food, and construction. The city boasts a lower unemployment rate, higher average income, and a younger population compared to national averages. Its design is influenced by the garden city movement, incorporating significant areas of natural vegetation.
Canberra's mountainous location offers a unique feature, with snow-capped mountains visible during much of the winter, although snowfall in the city itself is uncommon. The city experiences a relatively dry, continental climate with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters.
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Australia has a long maritime tradition
Australia has a rich maritime history that dates back thousands of years. The country has a strong maritime strategic thinking that has been influenced by the powerful naval forces of Britain and the United States. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN), created in 1911, adopted the traditions of the Royal Navy and fought alongside them in distant waters, showcasing their long tradition of fighting alongside principal maritime powers.
The Aboriginal Australians, the indigenous people of Australia, have a longstanding maritime tradition connected to the sea country and the conservation of marine life. The Australian coastline, the sixth longest in the world, has been a vital link to the rest of the world for trade, defence, and economic activities. Australia's geographical location between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as its extensive coastline, has shaped its maritime strategy and national defence priorities.
The country's maritime capabilities are evident in its participation in naval construction programs, including the development of submarines, frigates, and coastal mine hunters. Australia's relationship with the sea extends beyond defence, with fishing, tourism, and oil and gas production also playing crucial roles in its economy. The country's international trade relations and economic well-being are closely tied to its maritime strength.
Australia's unique ecosystems and biodiversity have contributed to its maritime significance. As one of 17 megadiverse countries, Australia boasts a wide range of ecosystems and an abundance of endemic species. The country's geographical isolation has resulted in a high percentage of unique amphibians, reptiles, flowering plants, mammals, and birds. Australia's maritime environment is crucial for the conservation and protection of its diverse marine life.
In conclusion, Australia's long maritime tradition has been influenced by its historical alliances, geographical location, economic interests, and biodiversity. The country's strategic thinking, naval capabilities, and relationship with the sea are integral aspects of its national defence and economic prosperity. Australia's maritime tradition continues to evolve and adapt to technological advancements, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in the modern world.
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Australia is the smallest continent
The Australian mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 ft) compared with 870 metres (2,850 ft) for all continents. It is also the driest inhabited continent. Australia is highly urbanised, and has the world's 14th-largest economy with the second-highest human development index globally. The country has a well-developed international trade and ranks highly for quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights.
The name "Australia" is derived from the Latin Terra Australis Incognita ("unknown southern land"), a name used for a hypothetical continent in the Southern Hemisphere since ancient times. Australia is sometimes referred to as Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and other tiny islands of the Central Pacific and South Pacific.
Australia is also the largest country without land borders and the largest single country to exist entirely within the Southern Hemisphere. It is highly megadiverse, with about 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds being endemic.
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Australia is the largest country in Oceania
The country has a diverse range of landscapes and climates, including tropical rainforests along the coast, mountain ranges in the southeast, southwest, and east, and deserts in the interior. The desert or semi-arid land commonly known as the Outback makes up the largest portion of the land. Australia has an extensive coastline of 35,877 kilometres (22,293 miles) and claims an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 square miles).
Australia is one of the world's largest countries and the smallest continent, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a megadiverse country, with about 94% of its amphibians, 93% of its reptiles and flowering plants, 69% of its mammals, and 46% of its birds being endemic. Australia has a wide range of ecosystems, with 89 regions and 419 sub-regions recognised in the Australian bioregion framework.
Australia has a highly developed and globally competitive economy, ranking highly in quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties, and political rights. It maintains a close relationship with neighbouring New Zealand, with free mobility of citizens and free trade under the Closer Economic Relations agreement.
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Australia has the sixth-longest coastline in the world
Australia has a very long coastline—it is, in fact, the sixth-longest in the world. The total length of Australia's coastline is about 25,760 kilometres (16,000 miles) or 35,877 kilometres (22,293 miles) if you include offshore islands.
The length of a coastline is not a fixed number. Measurements of a coastline behave like a fractal, meaning that they are different at different scale intervals (the distance between points on the coastline at which measurements are taken). The smaller the scale interval, the more detailed the measurement, and the longer the coastline will be. This effect is more pronounced for convoluted coastlines than for relatively smooth ones.
Australia's coastline is made up of the coastlines of its different states and territories. It includes the coastlines of the mainland, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
The coast of Australia is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Ningaloo Coast and the Great Barrier Reef. These places are protected because they are of special importance to the world. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority helps to keep the coasts safe by protecting the marine environment and ensuring safe navigation.
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Frequently asked questions
Canberra is the only major Australian city that is not coastal. It is located inland in the Australian Capital Territory, approximately 285 kilometres (177 miles) from the nearest coast.
Yes, the Australian Capital Territory, where Canberra is located, is landlocked. However, it has a coastal enclave at Jervis Bay Territory.
Canberra was intentionally built inland to serve as the national capital. It was situated between Sydney and Melbourne for strategic and security reasons.
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