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AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY
Australia is the world’s smallest continent and sixth largest country, at 7.6 million square kilometres (or almost 3 million square miles). It is also the flattest continent with the least fertile soil, despite boasting some incredibly beautiful, lush areas. It has a population of just fewer than 20 million people, which is low in proportion to the amount of space available. These people live mainly on the coastal areas, with a very low population density in the Australian inland, which is known as the Outback.
The Devils Marbles in central Australia Its capital city is Canberra, which is in the Australian Capital Territory, just south-west of Sydney. Popular tourist destinations and other major cities include Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide.
The Outback refers to the entire region that is in the inland of the continent. This area is dry and barren, and far too hot to sustain most people and vegetation. It does, however, boast a beauty all its own. Red sand and ochre rocks meet the azure skies as specially-adapted animals like kangaroos, dingoes, donkeys and camels traverse the plains. Many of the indigenous Aborigine tribes have been left to inhabit this land undisturbed as it remains unproductive for most industries. However, only about 10% to 20% of the entire population of Australia can be found living in these conditions.
Australia also boasts stunning beaches and fertile grasslands. These grassy areas are mostly in eastern Australia and are used to sustain the cattle- and sheep-farming industry, which supports much of the economy. In the south-east are the stunning Blue Mountains, so named for the blue haze created by the eucalyptus oil on the trees of the same name. They are situated in New South Wales, and have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for their proliferation of eucalyptus plantations, as well as their adaptability to the Australian climate.
The coastline stretches for almost 40 000km and boasts over 11 000 beaches. The Great Barrier Reef is a famous attraction as well as being one of the World’s Seven Wonders. It is home to an incredible array of marine life, both animal and plant, and is the largest coral reef in the world.
With a landscape that varies between rainforest and arid desert, coastal abundance and mangrove swamps, Australia certainly enjoys a geographic profile all its own.
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