| Australia is located southeast of Asia, and is the only country in the world to occupy a single continent.
The Australian continent and the nearby island of Tasmania, form the 6th largest country on earth, with a
total area of 7,682,300 sq km (2,966,200 sq mi). This large area is populated by only 19 million people,
making Australia the most sparsely populated continent after the Antarctica.
Australia consists of six states and two territories. The states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia,
Western Australia, and Tasmania; the territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital
Territory which is the location for the capital city Canberra.
Australia is world's flattest and driest land mass after the Antarctica. The vast interior of Australia is
called the Outback, which consists mainly of desert plains. The fertile eastern coastal plains are
separated from the Outback by the Great Dividing Range. Many ski fields are located in the Great
Dividing Range around the Victoria and New South Wales border.
Australia is surrounded by ocean, so there is plenty of coastline. Much of this coastline consists of
white sandy beaches and cliffs. The Great Barrier Reef on Queensland's east coast is the largest reef
and coral formation on earth, extending just over 2000 km (1250 miles) in length. The reef is the worlds
richest area of marine life, and forms a natural barrier from the Pacific Ocean. This makes the
Queensland coast ideal for diving, but also unsuitable for surfing. However the rest of the Australian
coastline contains countless beaches, that have superb surf breaks and the abundance of beaches
suitable for surfing has enabled this sport to become the national pastime and is the reason why
Australians consistently win surfing competitions the world over.
The Australian continent contains many different climatic zones, ranging from tropical in the north,
leading to subtropical and savanna, to arid deserts in the centre, and temperate in the south. Regular
snow falls occur in winter in the Australian Alps, and on the mountains in the island state of Tasmania.
The seasons in Australia are reverse to the northern hemisphere. January and February are the warmest
months, and June and July are the coldest.
Australia is geographically isolated from the rest of the world, and contains distinctive plants and
animals found nowhere else on earth. Eucalyptus forests dominate much of coastal Australia, but
Eucalyptus trees can be found in every region of Australia. Scrub dominates the inland regions, and
pockets of tropical and subtropical rainforests can be found on Australia's eastern and northern coasts.
Temperate rainforest can be found in New South Wales, Victoria, and the island state of Tasmania. The
oldest rainforests on earth are situated in the Daintree National Park and also the Cape Tribulation
National Park. The 2nd tallest trees on earth make up the Karri forests on Australia's south west coast.
Some of these trees can reach heights of 90 m (300 ft).
Australia is also home to many unique animal species such as the platypus, which is an aquatic, furred
mammal with a bill like that of a duck. The Platypus belongs to an animal group known as
monotreme's. Another animal belonging to this group is the spiny anteater, or echidna. Most native mammals are
marsupials. These include koalas, kangaroos, possums, flying foxes and the ferocious Tasmanian Devil.
Australia also contains many varieties of crocodile, they are found in the tropical zone of Australia and
they inhabit swamps, rivers and can also be found in the ocean near a river mouth. Lizards are very
common, there are over 500 different species including Goannas, Geckos and Dragons. The Australian
continent is also home to the most venomous snakes and spiders in the world, as well the deadly Box
Jelly Fish.
Australia is populated by many colourful bird species such as parrots, budgerigars,
Rosella's, galahs, finches and cockatoos. The Emu is Australia's largest bird and is related to the Ostrich. In
Australia, there is so much to see and do .... |
