Lexi Webster
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a land area of approximately 2,969,907 square miles. Despite its enormous landmass, about 95% of Australia is uninhabited or sparsely inhabited. The country is home to around 25 million people, yet it is among the countries with the least population per area. So, why is the interior of Australia empty of people? The answer lies in a combination of geography, climate, past settlement patterns, and economic factors. Firstly, Australia's extreme geography, isolated towns and cities, and limited water sources make human settlement challenging. The Outback, occupying most of inland Australia, is a hot desert area with extreme temperatures, making it nearly impossible for substantial human populations to exist without man-made infrastructure. Secondly, the country's history of colonization and displacement of Indigenous peoples has also contributed to the sparse population. Finally, Australia's remote location and restrictive immigration policies have slowed migration, with most of the population concentrated in a few major cities along the coastline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 25-26 million |
| Population density | 9 people per square mile |
| Dangerous animals | Snakes, spiders, crocodiles, etc. |
| Uninhabitable land | 20% is an uninhabitable desert, 40% is considered uninhabitable by human standards |
| Inhospitable climate | Extreme heat and cold |
| Isolated towns and cities | 90% of the population lives in five major cities |
| Limited water sources | Water consumption is higher than rainfall |
| Slow migration process | Australia only accepts less than 200,000 immigrants annually |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's extreme geography
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, covering an enormous 7.7 million square kilometres. However, it has one of the lowest population densities globally, with only around 3 people per square kilometre. This is due to Australia's extreme geography, which presents extremely difficult living conditions.
The Australian interior is dominated by the Outback, with large areas of arid and semi-arid land that are not suitable for agriculture, habitation, or large-scale development. The Outback is characterised by red earth, empty skies, and arid beauty. It is estimated that approximately 40% of Australia's interior is desert, with large land masses that can reach temperatures of over 40 °C, with little to no rain and a lack of water sources. The absence of fertile ground and a stable water supply has made maintaining large human populations in these regions nearly impossible.
The geographical challenges of the Australian interior have been compounded by historical factors. The British patterns of colonisation entrenched a coastal orientation, with most Australians clustered on the edges of the continent. This demographic situation has resulted in a country with busy fringes and an unexplored core.
However, the interior of Australia is not without its uses. The large inland areas are home to significant mineral reserves, contributing to the prosperity of the Australian economy. Additionally, the uniqueness of ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in these regions offer opportunities for scientific research, tourism, and conservation.
While the extreme geography of Australia has presented challenges to human settlement, technological improvements, renewable energy projects, and improved infrastructure may enable more Australians to live inland in the future.
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Limited water sources
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, covering an enormous 7.7 million square kilometres. Despite its massive size, Australia is sparsely populated, with one of the lowest population densities in the world, accounting for an approximate 3.4 to 3.5 people per square kilometre. This is in stark contrast to other countries; for example, Monaco has a population density of over 26,000 people per square kilometre.
The low population density in Australia is largely due to the presence of many dangerous animals, arid land, and limited water sources. The interior of Australia, known as the Outback, is dominated by large areas of arid and semi-arid land, with extremely high temperatures of over 40 °C and little to no rainfall. The Outback makes up around 70-80% of the Australian continent and presents some of the most extreme environments globally.
The lack of water sources in the Outback is a significant challenge for human settlement. The region experiences either floods or droughts, mostly the latter. The land is dry, with no rivers and little to no groundwater, making it unsuitable for agriculture, habitation, or large-scale development.
The few towns in the Outback, such as Kalgoorlie and Coober Pedy, are centres of remote mining operations that contribute significantly to the global supply chain of resources. These towns face unique challenges due to their isolation and limited access to water, relying on technological improvements, renewable energy projects, and improved infrastructure to sustain their populations.
The harsh climate and limited water sources in the Outback have also shaped historical settlement patterns. During the British colonisation of Australia, coastal areas were favoured for settlement, entrenching a coastal orientation that persists today. As a result, most Australians are clustered on the continent's edges, with two-thirds living in five major cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. These cities, located in the east and southeast, offer more favourable conditions for human habitation, including better access to water sources.
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Dangerous animals
Australia is home to some of the world's most dangerous animals, but the idea that the country is overrun by deadly creatures is a misconception. While it's true that there are plenty of things that could kill you in Australia, it's also true that not very many people have actually died from encounters with these creatures. In fact, it’s unlikely you’ll even see a dangerous animal during your visit.
One of the most well-known dangerous animals in Australia is the snake. Australia has more deadly snakes than any other country worldwide, and the Eastern brown snake is responsible for the most snake-related deaths in the country. However, the overall rate of deaths from snakebites in Australia is roughly similar to central Europe, and antivenom is available to treat all dangerous snakes in the country. Other dangerous snakes in Australia include the common death adder, the king brown, the redback, and the world's most venomous snake, the inland taipan.
Spiders are another group of dangerous animals in Australia. The Sydney funnel-web is one of the world's most dangerous spiders, with venom that is particularly devastating to humans. However, there hasn’t been a death from a funnel-web spider bite since the development of an antivenom in 1981. The redback spider is also potentially very dangerous, but no one has died from a bite from one of these spiders in nearly 40 years, and antivenom is available.
Other dangerous animals in Australia include the saltwater crocodile, which is one of the only animals that sees humans as prey, and the box jellyfish, which is considered the most venomous creature in the world. The stonefish is the world's most venomous fish, and its sting can kill an adult within an hour, but no stonefish deaths have been recorded in Australia since European arrival. The Irukandji jellyfish is another dangerous species, with a sting that can cause severe pain, muscle cramping, hypertension, and potentially life-threatening cardiac complications.
While Australia is home to many dangerous animals, it's important to remember that most of these creatures are more scared of humans than humans are of them. Australia also takes precautions to ensure that both locals and tourists stay safe, with lifeguards, warning signs, and underwater netting at beaches to deter sharks and dangerous jellyfish.
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Historical factors
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, covering an enormous 7.7 million square kilometres. However, it has one of the lowest population densities globally, with only around 3.4 to 3.5 persons per square kilometre. This situation has deep roots in geography and British colonial settlement patterns.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first peoples of Australia, with a culture that is one of the oldest on the planet, estimated to have begun around 50,000 to 65,000 years ago. Before European settlement, there were around 750,000 Aboriginal people. The first European sighting of Australia is attributed to the Dutch, who mapped the northern part and named it New Holland. James Cook later mapped the eastern coast and claimed it for Great Britain, naming it New South Wales. The British established a penal colony in New South Wales in 1783, which expanded and developed an economy based on agriculture, fishing, whaling, trade, and construction.
Border conflicts between settlers and Aboriginal people led to policies to protect the Aboriginal people, although they were ultimately criminalized. The indigenous population decreased due to diseases and conflicts with settlers. During the Gold Rush in 1850, migrants from China, North America, and Europe started arriving in Australia, increasing the population. However, the displacement and mistreatment of the Aboriginal peoples remain historical factors contributing to the sparse population in Australia today.
Additionally, the British patterns of colonisation entrenched a coastal orientation, making the country's fringes busy and its core unexplored. This demographic situation has resulted in a concentration of population in coastal areas, leaving the interior sparsely populated.
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Intense urbanisation
Australia's unique geography and history have led to a distinctive pattern of urbanization, with the majority of its population concentrated in coastal cities and towns. This has left the vast interior of the country sparsely populated, a phenomenon often referred to as "the empty interior".
There are several reasons why Australia's interior is sparsely populated. Firstly, the very process of urbanization itself has played a key role. As cities and towns developed along the coast, they became centers of economic activity, offering employment, education, and other opportunities that drew people away from rural and remote areas. This trend, common to many countries, is particularly pronounced in Australia due to the combination of a relatively small population and a large land mass. As people moved to urban centers, the interior became less densely populated over time.
The physical geography of Australia also plays a significant part. The interior of the country is largely made up of arid and semi-arid landscapes, including deserts and remote, rugged terrain. These areas present significant challenges for human habitation, including limited access to water, extreme temperatures, and reduced fertility of the land. In contrast, the more temperate and fertile coastal regions are naturally more conducive to human settlement and the development of agriculture and industry.
Additionally, Australia's history and cultural factors have influenced this pattern of settlement. The country has a long history of pastoralism and agriculture, with early settlers establishing themselves in regions with suitable land for farming and grazing. This trend continued with later generations, reinforcing the concentration of population in these areas. Cultural preferences for coastal living, often driven by lifestyle choices and the appeal of beachside locations, have also contributed to this phenomenon.
The process of intense urbanization in Australia has had, and continues to have, significant social, economic, and environmental implications. It has led to a concentration of resources and investment in urban centers, potentially disadvantaging rural and remote communities. However, it has also fostered the development of vibrant, diverse cities, offering a range of opportunities and amenities that continue to attract people from across Australia and beyond.
Managing the impacts of urbanization and promoting sustainable development across the country is an ongoing challenge for Australia's policymakers and planners. Strategies to address these issues may include investment in regional infrastructure, encouraging business and industry to establish outside major cities, and promoting the unique advantages and appeal of life in Australia's interior. Such approaches aim to create a more balanced distribution of population and opportunity across this vast continent.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is a large country with a small population. Its geography, climate, settlement patterns, economic factors, and dangerous wildlife have made it difficult for people to settle in the interior.
Australia's population is estimated to be around 25 to 26 million people.
Two-thirds of Australians live in five major cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. 80% of the population lives along the eastern side of the country, where rainfall is more common.
Australia's extreme geography and isolated cities make it one of the least populated countries in the world. The Outback, which occupies most of inland Australia, experiences extreme temperatures, making it challenging for human settlements.
No, before European settlement, there were around 750,000 Aboriginal people in Australia. The British settlement led to conflicts and diseases that decreased the indigenous population. Australia's slow migration process and restrictive immigration policies have also contributed to its sparse population.
