Damon Mcknight
Australia is a country that is surrounded by water on all sides. It is the only island-country-continent in the world. Geographically, Australia is recognised as both a country and a continent, with the Indian Ocean to its west and the Pacific Ocean to its east. Every state in Australia is surrounded by ocean waters, except for the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Continent | Australia |
| Bodies of Water Surrounding Australia | Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea, Coral Sea, Timor Sea, Arafura Sea |
| Territorial Sea Limit | 12 nautical miles |
| Territorial Sea Limit for Smaller Islands | 3 miles |
| Contiguous Zone Limit | 24 miles |
| Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Limit | 200 miles |
| Total Marine Area of EEZ | 10 million square kilometres |
| Status | Island-country-continent |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a country and a continent
The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia to distinguish it from the country of Australia. The term Oceania, which includes Australia and other Pacific islands, is often considered a continent in non-English-speaking countries, while English-speaking countries typically recognize Australia as one of the seven continents.
Australia, the country, is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by area and the largest in Oceania.
Australia is unique in that it is both a country and a continent. While it is mostly on a single landmass, it comprises most of the continent and is sometimes referred to as an island continent, surrounded by oceans. Australia is also an "island nation," as it does not share land borders with other countries.
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The Indian Ocean is to the west and south
Australia is recognised as both a country and a continent, and it is the only island-country-continent in the world. It is surrounded by ocean waters on all sides, with the Indian Ocean to the west and south, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are the only states that are not surrounded by ocean waters.
The Indian Ocean surrounds the western and southern coasts of Australia, while the Pacific Ocean borders the eastern coast. The Southern Ocean lies to the south but does not directly border the Australian coast. The Indian Ocean is the second-largest ocean in the world and covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface. It extends from the southern tip of Africa to the southern reaches of Australia, with the Southern Indian Ocean bordering the coast of Antarctica.
The warm, salty surface waters of the subtropics in the Indian Ocean create a unique marine environment. These warmer waters influence the Leeuwin Current, which flows southward along the Western Australian coast and mixes with the colder waters of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. This current is the world's longest ocean current, stretching 21,000 kilometres and carrying an enormous volume of water from west to east.
The Southern Ocean, which lies to the south of Australia, is known for its high salinity due to high evaporation rates and low rainfall. This ocean plays a crucial role in maintaining Antarctica's frozen state, and its health is closely linked to the Earth's climate. The Southern Ocean is also an important region for marine research and the production of energy from currents.
The Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Pacific Ocean converge around Australia, contributing to the country's diverse marine environment and unique geographical position as an island continent surrounded by water.
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The Pacific Ocean borders the east
Australia is an island continent surrounded by ocean waters on all sides. The Pacific Ocean borders the east of Australia, stretching from the 60° S parallel in the south to the Arctic in the north. It is situated between Asia and Australia in the west and North and South America in the east. The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the three major oceans that surround Australia, covering approximately one-third of the Earth's surface.
The Commonwealth of Australia is made up of mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania, the Australian Antarctic Territory, and several small islands. The country is bordered by the Arafura Sea to the north, the Coral Sea to the northeast, the Tasman Sea to the southeast, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Indian Ocean to the west, and the Timor Sea to the northwest.
The Northern Territory and Western Australia border the Indian Ocean, while Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria border the Southern Ocean. The Indian Ocean surrounds most of Australia's western and southern coasts, while the Pacific Ocean borders the eastern coast. The Southern Ocean lies to the south but does not directly border the Australian coast.
The East Australian Current is a notable feature of the Pacific Ocean, influencing the climate and circulation of the Tasman Sea. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the world's longest ocean current, also connects the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
Australia's Territorial Seas extend 12 nautical miles from the coastline, with sovereignty over this area extending from the seabed to the airspace above. The country also has Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) that stretch 200 miles from its coastline, providing Australia with sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources within this zone.
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The Southern Ocean lies to the south
Australia is recognised as both a country and a continent, and it is the only island-country-continent in the world. It is surrounded by ocean waters on all sides, with the exception of the Northern Territory and the ACT. To the south lies the Southern Ocean, which does not directly border the Australian coast. The Indian Ocean is situated to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east.
The Southern Ocean is a crucial feature of the global marine environment. It is the body of water that surrounds Antarctica and stretches northward to the 60° S parallel. The Southern Ocean plays a significant role in global weather patterns, marine life, and human activities along coastlines. Its interaction with other oceans, such as the Indian and Pacific Oceans, through currents like the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, further highlights its importance in the Earth's climate system.
The Southern Ocean's proximity to the south of Australia has implications for the country's climate and marine ecosystems. The ocean currents influence the temperature and circulation patterns of the surrounding waters, impacting the climate in regions like Queensland and New South Wales. The Southern Ocean's relatively lower salinity levels, due to lower evaporation rates and the input of freshwater from melting sea ice, also set it apart from other oceans surrounding Australia.
Victoria, a state in southeastern Australia, is bordered by the Southern Ocean to the south and the Tasman Sea to the southeast. The Southern Ocean's influence on Victoria's climate and marine life is notable, with the state experiencing the cold, fresher waters characteristic of this ocean.
The Southern Ocean's position to the south of Australia has shaped the country's geography, climate, and marine ecosystems. It is a significant feature of the global marine environment, connecting with other oceans and influencing weather patterns worldwide. The Southern Ocean's proximity to Australia, particularly Victoria, showcases its vital role in shaping the natural environment of this island-country-continent.
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The Northern Territory and ACT are not surrounded by water
Australia is recognised as both a country and a continent surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Southern Ocean lies to the south but does not directly border the Australian coast. Australia is the only island-country-continent in the world.
Every state in Australia is surrounded by ocean waters, except for the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The Northern Territory is bordered by the Indian Ocean, while the ACT is a landlocked territory within New South Wales.
The Northern Territory is a large, sparsely populated area in northern Australia. It is known for its tropical climate and diverse landscapes, including deserts, rainforests, and wetlands. The territory has a long coastline along the Timor Sea and the Arafura Sea, which separate it from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
The ACT, on the other hand, is a small, inland territory that encompasses the city of Canberra, Australia's capital. It is located in the southeastern part of the country, surrounded by the state of New South Wales. The ACT is characterised by its relatively small size and its importance as the seat of Australia's federal government.
While the Northern Territory and the ACT are not completely surrounded by water, they still play significant roles in Australia's geography and administration. The Northern Territory, with its vast and varied landscapes, contributes to Australia's natural diversity, while the ACT, as the nation's capital territory, serves as the country's administrative centre.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is recognised as both a country and a continent, and every state is completely surrounded by water, except for the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Australia is bordered by three oceans: the Indian Ocean to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south.
Australia is also surrounded by several seas, including the Arafura Sea, the Coral Sea, the Tasman Sea, and the Timor Sea.
