TravellerHints! Australia as a continent is divided into mainland part (Australia) and island part comprising Tasmania, New Guinea, Seram and Timor.
Australian continent is actually the smallest continent out of all seven traditional ones, though Australia as a country belongs to one of the largest ones in the world.
The full official name of the country is the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the mainland part of the continent, island state of Tasmania and multiple small islands.
The territory which was initially inhabited by indigenous Aboriginals was first discovered by Dutch explorers in 1606.
Later on, in 1770 it was claimed by Great Britain as the penal colony of NSW was established. Ever since, the population has been growing steadily and nowadays reaches more than 23 million people.
Australia:
has grown into highly developed liberal and democratic country with one of the largest economies and high income per capital. Country’s capital city is Canberra located in the Australian Capital Territory where most of the governmental buildings of this constitutional monarchy are located.
This Oceania country is divided into six states (New South Wales, Queensland, SA, WA and Tasmania) and two territories (Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory), while both of them function as states. The difference is, that the Commonwealth Parliament can override their own legislation.
Australia is spreading across the Indo-Australian Plate surrounded by different water masses (Indian and Pacific oceans, Timor Sea, Arafura Sea, Coral Sea and Tasman Sea).
Due to its vast area and influence by ocean currents, Australian climate varies from tropical in the north, through Mediterranean around south-west part to temperate climate in Tasmania and south-east.
Not only thanks to its more than 34 thousands kilometers of coastline and isolated location, Australia is home to some of the world’s most famous natural highlights.
Those include for example the Great Barrier Reef, the Ayers Rock in the desert inland part of the country called the outback.
Australian cities (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth) have been repeatedly announced to be among the most liveable ones in the world.
This country sometimes also called “Down Under” is also home to some of the unique and rare animals such as kangaroos, koalas, platypus or wombat).
