Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is the largest country on the continent of Australia, which is also known as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia. It is the only country on the continent, covering a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles) and accounting for just five per cent of the world's land area. The continent of Australia is the smallest in the world, but the country of Australia is the sixth-largest in the world by area and the largest in Oceania.
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the only country in the continent of Australia
Australia is a diverse country with varied landscapes and climates, including deserts, tropical rainforests, tropical savannas, and mountain ranges. It has a long coastline of 34,218 kilometres (21,262 miles), excluding its offshore islands. The country also has an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 square miles). Australia is highly urbanised, with about 40% of its residents born overseas, contributing to its multicultural nature. Sydney, in particular, is known for its multiculturalism, with over 250 languages spoken in the city.
Australia has a unique flora and fauna due to its isolation from other continents. It is home to iconic species such as kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras, as well as the only egg-laying mammals, the platypus and echidna. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, is another natural wonder in Australia, boasting the world's greatest mass of coral. The country also features the Simpson Desert, the world's largest desert.
The continent of Australia, also known as Sahul, Australinea, or Meganesia, includes not only mainland Australia but also the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is the smallest continental land mass, sometimes referred to as the world's largest island. Australia, the country, also claims about 42% of Antarctica as the Australian Antarctic Territory, although this claim is recognised by only a few countries.
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Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world
Australia is the smallest continental land mass and the world's largest island. It has 35,877 kilometres (22,293 miles) of coastline, excluding all offshore islands, and claims an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 square miles). The mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 feet) compared to 870 metres (2,850 feet) for all continents. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands.
The country has a diverse range of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior, tropical rainforests along the coast, tropical savannas, and mountain ranges. Australia is the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils. It is a megadiverse country, home to unique flora and fauna, including hundreds of kinds of eucalyptus trees, the platypus and echidna, the only egg-laying mammals on Earth, and kangaroos, which are found only in Australia.
Australia has a population of about 25 million people, with its residents speaking more than 250 different languages. The official language is English. The country's two most populous cities are Sydney and Melbourne, each with a population of more than five million. Sydney is the largest city based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs), while Melbourne is larger based on ABS Significant Urban Areas (SUAs).
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Australia is highly urbanised
Australia is the largest country on the continent of Australia, also known as the Australia-New Guinea continent. It is the only First World country on this continent. The mainland is the world's smallest continent, but the country is the sixth-largest by total area.
Australia's urbanisation rate has consistently been above 80% since the 1960s, reaching 86.62% in 2023, the highest ever. This high rate of urbanisation is due to the significant increase in immigration since the 20th century, with immigrants generally settling in coastal, urban areas. Australia has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world, with about 7 million people settling in the country since 1945.
The country's large cities and urban centres are concentrated on the eastern seaboard. The Australian mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 metres (1,066 ft). It has a diverse landscape, with forest cover accounting for around 17% of the land area, and the remaining land being arid or semi-arid.
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Australia has a diverse landscape
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is the largest country on the continent of Australia. It comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, numerous smaller offshore islands, and several remote offshore territories. It is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres (2,968,464 square miles).
Australia has a diverse and varied landscape, ranging from snow-capped mountains to wildlife-rich coral reefs, tropical rainforests, and deserts. The country can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. These landform regions have been shaped by movements in the Earth's crust, river erosion, and changes in climate and sea level.
The Eastern Highlands include the Australian Alps, which span from the State of Victoria through New South Wales to the Australian Capital Territory. Mount Kosciuszko, located in the Australian Alps, is Australia's highest peak at 2,228 meters (7,310 feet). The Alps offer a range of outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, and biking, with 16 national parks to explore.
The Daintree Rainforest, located on the northeast coast of Queensland, is another iconic landscape in Australia. It is the oldest surviving rainforest in the world, with an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, plants, and fungi. The Daintree Rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its unique flora and fauna.
Australia is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, located off the northeast coast of Queensland. The reef extends for more than 2,300 kilometres (1,400 miles) and is one of the world's foremost tourist attractions.
In addition to its natural landmarks, Australia has a diverse and multicultural society. Sydney, the largest city in Australia, is the most multicultural city in Oceania, with more than 250 different languages spoken. Melbourne, the second-largest city, has the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Europe and a significant Asian population. Australia has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world, with 36% of its residents born overseas.
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Australia has a unique flora and fauna
Australia is the largest country on the continent of Australia, also known as the Australian continent. It is the smallest continent in the world and one of the largest countries by total area.
The flora of Australia includes hundreds of kinds of eucalyptus trees and various acacias, with Acacia pycnantha, or golden wattle, being the national flower. The unique fauna of Australia includes the only egg-laying mammals on Earth, the platypus and echidna, as well as kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, and kookaburras.
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the east coast of Queensland, is the greatest mass of coral in the world and is home to a diverse range of marine life. Australia's subterranean fauna is also unique, with many species occurring nowhere else in the world.
Unfortunately, Australia has experienced a significant loss of biodiversity due to human activities, such as the introduction of exotic species, land clearance, and overgrazing. Conservation efforts are in place to protect the country's unique flora and fauna, with organizations like the Australian Wildlife Conservancy dedicated to safeguarding endangered species.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the largest country on the continent of Australia. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by area and the largest country by area in Oceania.
Yes, Australia is a continent. It is the smallest continental land mass in the world and is sometimes referred to as the ''island continent'.
Australia has 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.
Canberra is the capital of Australia. The largest city in Australia is Sydney, with a population of over 5 million people.
