Australia

Australia is both a country and a continent, occupying most of the Australian continent between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It covers about 7.7 million square kilometres, making it the sixth-largest country in the world by area. Its capital is Canberra, while Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are among its largest cities. At the end of 2025, Australia had about 27.8 million residents. The country consists of six states and two mainland territories, along with several external territories.

Most people live near the coast, particularly in the southeast and east, where the climate is generally more temperate than in the interior. Northern Australia is largely tropical, while the centre contains extensive arid and semi-arid regions. Outside the major cities, population density is relatively low. Australia's seasons are opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere: summer generally lasts from December to February, while winter occurs from June to August.

Its landscapes range from tropical forests and wetlands to temperate forests, grasslands and vast deserts. The Great Dividing Range extends along much of the eastern side of the country and influences rainfall and river systems. The Murray–Darling Basin is Australia's most important river system and a major agricultural region. Off the northeast coast lies the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, stretching for more than 2,300 kilometres and supporting a remarkable variety of marine life.

Australia's long geographic isolation has also allowed many unique species to evolve, including kangaroos, koalas and platypuses. Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived across these lands and waters for tens of thousands of years, with diverse cultures, languages and traditions.