How Big Is Australia

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Australia

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you talk about Australia- Cricket and Kangaroos for sure. But this is not it, there is more to learn about this largest country and smallest continent in the world. So let’s explore Australia.

How big is Australia?

Australia is called "Down Under" as it is located in the southern hemisphere between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. It is surrounded by several oceans and seas, lik eteh Indian Ocean in the West, pacific Ocean in the east, the Southern Ocean is its southern coastline. Timor and Arafura seas make a part of North Australia and north east is the Coral sea, with Tasman Sea between southeast Australia and New Zealand.

It is estimated to be 7,692,024 square Kilometres with a coastline of 25,760 km, and the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. However, its population is comparatively smaller than the land it occupys. It is the only country to rule an entire continent and distant islands. The mainland is the flattest, smallest continent on Earth even though it is the largest on the continent. It lies between 10° and 39° South latitude.  The highest point on the mainland, Mount Kosciuszko, located in the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park is only 2,228 metres above sea level.

It consists of 6 States and 2 Territories make up the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government. Canberra is the capital, the largest inland city and eight largest city in Australia. The largest territory - Western Australia is about the same size as Western Europe.

What is the land and climate like?

It is one of the driest continents on earth. The interiors have the lowest rainfall and 3/4th of its land is dry or semi dry. Although the farming areas are well watered. It does have some beautiful forests, lakes and underground water reserves. It includes 64 wetlands, registered under Ramsar Convention, and 16 Heritage Sites.

Storms and tornados are a common site throughout the year. The temperatures are moderate in the south- east and south – west parts of the country, including a large amount of fertile soil. The Northern territory has a humid climate, hence is full of tropical rainforests and grasslands. During winters there is heavy snowfall on higher mountains, but rarely sub-zero temperatures; majorly over Tasmania and the Australian Alps.

How did Australia acquire its name?

In 1606 a Portuguese sailor Pedro Fernández de Quirós searched for this land in 1606 while he was serving the Spanish navy. He called this land Austrialia del Espíritu Santo or 'Great South Land of the Holy Spirit'. The word Austrialia now known as Australia is a blend of two words i.e. Austria, which was the country of origin of the Habsburg dynasty and Austral which means Southern. The names Austrilia was given as an intention to pay homage to ruling monarchs. It was officially first called as Australia in English in 1625 written by Master Hakluyt.

Who were the first inhabitants of Australia?

Almost 40,000 years ago almost half a million Aborigines migrated to Australia from Southeast Asia. This was during the European settlement. As of today, 350,000 Aborigines live here. Australia was first sighted by the Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships in the 17th Century. But it was actually discovered by James Cook’s voyage in 1770; hence the British claimed the land and called it New South Wales. A British penal colony was set up at Port Jackson, now known as Sydney in 1788, and around 161,000 English convicts were transported there, till the system got suspended in 1839. Soon settlers and former prisoners formed six colonies" New South Wales in 1786, Tasmania in 1825, South Australia in 1834, Victoria in 1851, and Queensland in 1859. These settlements became states in 1901. After World War II there were many migrants from Greece, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, and Turkey. This was mainly due to Australia’s policy of attracting immigrants for a larger population and stronger work force.

5) What is the overall culture like?

It can be said that it’s a multi cultural society. It is said that The Australian culture is based on the stories of brave solders, bushrangers and battlers. It is also defined by the Aboriginal heritage, great outdoors, innovative ideas, arts and sports.

The Aboriginal Culture is the oldest and most traditional of all. They believe in mateship which is an expression for equality, loyalty and friendship. They even strongly respect the ‘battler’ who struggled against the harsh and unfamiliar authority during those times. The people here are down to earth and value authenticity, sincerity, and detest posing. They like people who are modest humble, self- critical and have good sense of humour.

As Australian population is majority foreigners, according to the Australian laws, everyone have the right to express their cultural beliefs. Everyone is expected to value the Australian principles and support their way of life.

And not forgetting to mention the sports culture. It’s not a thing to miss that Australians are sports crazy. It has more than 120 national and thousands of local and regional sports organizations. One cannot fail to note that almost six-and-a-half million people in Australia are registered as sports participants.

They provide free education, maternity allowances, and sickness and old-age pensions. They also offer protected trade unionism with industrial reconciliation and negotiation.

What is the lifestyle like?

80% of the population live within 50km of the coast hence have a much laid back life style. The beaches are usually packed, especially on the weekends, with various water and beach sports activity. Australians have a flair with arts and literature. Their greetings are so very casual, informal and relaxed, that they use the first names even at initial meetings. They follow a gifting etiquette. Gifts are usually exchanged within family members, friends, but they give gifts or a small amount of cash or a six pack of beer or a wine bottle to people like sanitation workers.

There are no laws for clothing, but they have certain rules for workplace and work situations.

Most of the families here have regular barbeque. Here guests are expected to bring their own meat, and are expected to be not more than 15 minutes late for dinner or a large party. One has to inform the host well in advance if they wish to bring some food for the party. The guests are expected to help clean up after the meals are over.

What is the main source of income?

Sheep farming and grains are of utmost importance. They are mainly into high export of raw material like wool and agriculture produce such as wheat. Australia has many mining states which makes export of iron-ore and gold and energy forms like natural gas and coal an essential part of its income. Agriculture accounts only for a small per cent of the export performance compared to raw material. Its largest export markets are the USA, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, China. It is also the 4th largest exporter of wine and contributes about $5.5 billion every year to the nation’s economy.

Why is so special about the wildlife in Australia?

Australia has some of the most endangered species of animals which are rare and exotic, like the koalas and platypuses. It has 379 species of mammal including 80% of the marsupials like the rhinoceros- sized diprotodon and kangaroos, 750 species of birds, almost 800 species of reptiles and a large amount of fish and arthropods. They even have the worlds 10 deadliest snakes, world’s most poisonous spiders, mammals which lay eggs and the only bird with armour. After the European settlement 29 mammal species have become extinct, excluding 12 species of birds.

There is a list of animals that face a threat of extinction that include 10 species of fish, 12 species of frogs, 13 species of reptiles, 32 species of birds and 34 species of mammals.

So besides animal what can one expect to see in Australia?

The beautiful ULURU sunset. It is said that the sun rises and set in the Australian desert which causes change in the atmosphere colours making it a scenic beauty. The change in colour is caused as a result of the earth’s atmosphere; it dust particles and water vapour present in the air act as a filter for the incoming rays of sun. This beauty is enhanced by the vivid colours which are a result of reflections from the rock and clouds.

One can also not forget to mention the Green Island and Great Barrier Reef . Green Island is an island surrounded by rainforests, white sandy beach and magnificent coral reefs and marine life.

Greta barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system consisting of over 2,900 reefs. Approximately a stretch of 2,600 km has 900 islands and the reef is located off the Queensland state in the Coral sea. The most important aspect of this reef is that it is visible from outer space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by billions of single tiny living organism known as coral polyps.