Australia

General facts about Australia

Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It does however have a very small population considering it's size, and amount of free land.

Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on this Earth.

The highest point on the mainland is Mount Kosciuszko, which is only 2228 meters. Apart from Atartica, Australia is the driest continent.

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about three-quarters of the land is semi-dry. Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, these are used very effectively to help feed the world. Sheep and cattle graze in dry country, but care must be taken with the soil.

The Australia federation consists of six States and two Territories. Most inland borders follow lines of longitude and latitude. The largest state, Western Australia, is about the same size as Western Europe.