Australia is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal. Its capital, Canberra, is inland. The country is known for its Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, a vast interior desert wilderness called the Outback, and unique animal species like kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses.
Fun Facts
- As of 2012, Australia has an estimated population of over 22 million people.
- Australia is the world's 6th largest country by area.
- Due to its large size and isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is sometimes known as the 'island continent'.
- A desert area known as the ‘outback’ covers much of the land.
- The name ‘Australia’ comes from the Latin word ‘australis’, meaning southern.
- It is estimated the humans have lived in Australia for around 45000 years.
- The highest mountain on mainland Australia is Mt Kosciuszko, standing 2228m (7310ft) above sea level.
- Australia is home to a variety of unique animals, including the koala, kangaroo, emu, kookaburra and platypus.
- Australia has over 750 different reptile species, more than any other country in the world.
- Australia is a wealthy country with a high life expectancy.