Australian Geography
Australia is a both a country and a continent of the South Pacific Ocean. In all, the country covers 2,966,153 square miles or 7,682,300 square kilometers. This includes numerous islands…
Australia is a both a country and a continent of the South Pacific Ocean. In all, the country covers 2,966,153 square miles or 7,682,300 square kilometers. This includes numerous islands such as Tasmania and Melville Island. Its largest city is Sydney (approx. pop. 4.792 million), followed by Melbourne (4.771 million), Brisbane (2.338 million), Perth (1.991 million), and Adelaide (1.32 million). Canberra, the capital, is home to about 423,000 people. Its total population is an estimated 23,232,413.
Like any continent, the climate and landscape of Australia varies greatly by region. Its northern climate is warm and tropical, seeing annual rainy seasons from November to April. The interior, often referred to as the Outback, mostly consists of flat, arid deserts and scrubland. Along the southern coast, where the bulk of its population is concentrated, the climate is more temperate. The most widespread tree species of Australia belong to the Eucalyptus family, covering about 75 percent of its forested lands. Acacia trees are also common. Its wildlife is similarly unique, home to many species of animals not found elsewhere. Perhaps most famous of these is the kangaroo and its smaller cousin, the wallaby. Other notable wildlife include the koala, platypus, dingo, wombat, dugong, emu, crocodile, and birds such as the kookaburra. Invasive populations of animals like rabbits, horses, camels, cats, and fire ants have all proven disruptive to local ecosystems.
References
Bourke, Colin, Eleanor Bourke, and Bill Edwards, eds. Aboriginal Australia: An Introductory Reader in Aboriginal Studies. University of Queensland Press. 1994.
Broome, Richard. Aboriginal Australians: A History Since 1788. Allen & Unwin. 2010.
Clancy, Laurie. Culture and Customs of Australia. Greenwood Press. 2004.
Clarke, Francis Gordon. The History of Australia. Greenwood Press. 2002.
“Eucalypt Forest.” Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Commonwealth of Australia, 6 Feb. 2017, www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/forestsaustralia/profiles/eucalypt-forest.
Macintyre, Stuart. A Concise History of Australia. Cambridge University Press. 2009.
“The World Factbook: Australia.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 6 June 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html.
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