Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is divided into six states and ten territories, with each state having its own government, legislature, and judicial system. The continent of Australia includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and some other nearby islands. Interestingly, Australia also claims about 42% of Antarctica as the Australian Antarctic Territory, but this claim is only recognised by four other countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of federated states | 6 |
| Federated states | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia |
| Number of federal territories | 10 |
| Internal territories | Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, and Northern Territory |
| External territories | Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island |
| Total number of states and territories | 8 |
| Population | More than 23 million |
| Military expenditure | 13th highest in the world |
| Claimed Antarctic continent | 42% |
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What You'll Learn
- Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent
- The continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea
- Australia is the smallest of the seven traditional continents
- Australia also claims about 42% of Antarctica as the Australian Antarctic Territory
- Australia is a member of international groups including the United Nations, G20, and the Commonwealth of Nations
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent
The continent of Australia includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea), the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other nearby islands. The continent is situated in the geographical region of Oceania, specifically in the subregion of Australasia.
The country of Australia has six federated states: New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia. Australia also has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories: the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory on the Australian mainland. The remaining seven are external territories, including the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Australia has a diverse ecosystem, with many unique animal species such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna, and koala. The country also has 516 national parks to protect its diverse flora and fauna. Australia has a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with a head of state in common with the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom.
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The continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, and the island of New Guinea
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. It is one of the largest countries on Earth and the smallest continent. The continent includes mainland Australia, Tasmania, the island of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea), the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, most of the Coral Sea Islands, and some other nearby islands.
Tasmania, also known as 'Tassie', is separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait. It is known for its dazzling beaches, rugged mountains, and winding rivers. The capital, Hobart, is a cosmopolitan city close to regional towns, exquisite food and wine trails, and family-friendly activities.
The island of New Guinea, on the other hand, is politically divided into two parts: Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth realm, with King Charles III as its sovereign and head of state. It is one of the few Commonwealth realms where the governor-general is elected by the legislature rather than chosen by the executive branch.
Australia, the continent, is located within the Southern and Eastern hemispheres, near Maritime Southeast Asia. It is part of the Australian Plate and is the lowest, flattest, and oldest landmass on Earth. The continent has a relatively stable geological history and features a continental shelf overlain by shallow seas, dividing it into several landmasses.
The country of Australia is a federation of six states and ten territories, with each state having its own independent executive government, legislature, and judicial system. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
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Australia is the smallest of the seven traditional continents
Australia is a single landmass that comprises most of the continent of the same name. The continent also includes Tasmania, the island of New Guinea, the Aru Islands, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and most of the Coral Sea Islands, among others. The continent of Australia is sometimes referred to as Sahul, Australinea, Meganesia, or Australia-New Guinea to distinguish it from the country of Australia.
In terms of population, Australia is the second smallest continent, with just over 40 million people in Oceania. If Antarctica is excluded, Australia becomes the smallest populated continent.
Australia is also the driest and most arid of the seven continents, and it boasts some of the most dangerous and exotic creatures outside of the Amazon rainforest in South America.
The country of Australia is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. It has six federated states: New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia. It also has ten federal territories, three of which are internal territories (Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, and Northern Territory) and seven of which are external territories.
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Australia also claims about 42% of Antarctica as the Australian Antarctic Territory
Australia consists of the mainland Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, numerous smaller offshore islands, and several remote offshore territories. One of these offshore territories is the Australian Antarctic Territory, which comprises about 42% of Antarctica. This territory is administered by the Australian Antarctic Division, an agency of the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica and is the largest sector of Antarctica claimed by any country. It includes all islands and territories south of 60°S, and between 45°E and 160°E, excluding the French sector of Terre Adelie. The territory has a land area of 5,896,500 km2, which would make it the seventh-largest country in the world if it were a sovereign country.
Australia's claim to the Australian Antarctic Territory dates back to the early 20th century when geologist Sir Douglas Mawson led several Antarctic expeditions involving Australians, New Zealanders, and British. During these expeditions, Mawson claimed the territory as British sovereign territory. In 1933, Britain transferred sovereignty over the territory to Australia, and Australia became a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959.
Despite Australia's claim to the Australian Antarctic Territory, only four other countries recognize its sovereignty: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Norway. All of these countries have territorial claims in Antarctica and mutually recognize each other's claims. Australia's claim to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from the Australian Antarctic Territory is contested, as the 1959 Antarctic Treaty prohibits new territorial claims or the extension of existing claims in the Antarctic.
The Australian government has shown interest in the economic potential of the Australian Antarctic Territory. There have been discussions about mining the continent's mineral deposits, which include coal seams, manganese, iron, and uranium. Additionally, the government has launched the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20-Year Action Plan to foster economic opportunities and develop a tourism sector in the Antarctic.
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Australia is a member of international groups including the United Nations, G20, and the Commonwealth of Nations
Australia is a member of several international groups, including the United Nations, the G20, and the Commonwealth of Nations. These memberships reflect Australia's commitment to global cooperation and engagement with the international community.
Let's take a closer look at each of these organisations and Australia's role in them:
The United Nations (UN)
The United Nations is an international organisation with 193 member states, including Australia. The UN aims to promote international cooperation and peace, strengthen international law, and address global challenges. Australia actively participates in the UN and its specialised agencies, such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Australia supported the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and played a constructive role in delivering the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The Group of 20 (G20)
The G20 is a forum for the world's major economies to discuss and address international economic issues. Australia is a member of the G20 and works constructively with other member countries to pursue strong, sustainable, and inclusive global economic growth. Through the G20, Australia promotes an open global economy and a rules-based multilateral trading system.
The Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations is a grouping of 56 developed and developing countries spread across every continent and ocean. Australia is a founding member of the modern Commonwealth and has actively participated in its organisations, programs, and meetings for over 60 years. Australia is among the top four contributors to the Commonwealth budget and played a leading role in developing the Commonwealth Charter, which promotes human rights, democratic values, good governance, and sustainable development.
In summary, Australia's membership in these international groups demonstrates its commitment to global engagement, peace, and prosperity. By participating in the United Nations, the G20, and the Commonwealth of Nations, Australia contributes to shaping global agendas, addressing international challenges, and fostering cooperation with other nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. However, Australia also administers the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island, McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, and the Australian Antarctic Territory as external territories.
The six federated states of Australia are New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia.
The ten federal territories of Australia are the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, the Northern Territory, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
The internal territories of Australia are the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, and the Northern Territory.
