Australia is a large sovereign country in the Southern Hemisphere. Part of the larger Australian continent and the Oceania geographical region, Australia is geographically and ethnically diverse. Here are some interesting facts about Australia. Let’s read.
15 amazing facts about Australia
1. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world by area. It has an area of approximately 7.7 million sq km (2.96 million square miles).
2. There are 6 States, 3 internal territories, and 7 external territories in Australia.
| State | Capital | Area rank | Population rank |
| Queensland | Brisbane | 2 | 3 |
| New South Wales | Sydney | 4 | 1 |
| South Australia | Adelaide | 3 | 5 |
| Tasmania | Hobart | 6 | 6 |
| Victoria | Melbourne | 5 | 2 |
| Western Australia | Perth | 1 | 4 |
3. Greater Sydney is the most populous metropolitan area in Australia, It has a population of 5.23 million (2021 census). Greater Melbourne is the second most populous metropolitan area in Australia with a population of 4.92 million (2021 census).
4. The capital city of Australia is Canberra. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). With a population of around 150,000 (2021 census), Canberra is Australia’s largest inland city.
5. Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
6. Australia became the second country after New Zealand in 1902 to provide voting rights to females. However, Indigenous Australian women were granted the right to vote in 1962.
7. Australia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. The population density of Australia is just about 3 people per square kilometer (2021).
8. The highest peak in mainland Australia is Mount Kosciuszko which is 2,228 m (7,310 ft) high. Mount Kosciuszko is located in New South Wales state.
9. Nearly 20 percent of Australia is desert. The various deserts of Australia are collectively known as the Great Australian desert. The largest desert in Australia is the Great Victoria Desert.
10. More than 80 percent of the total population in Australia lives near the coast. Most big cities in Australia are coastal cities.
Wildlife
11. A large percentage of animal species found in Australia are found nowhere else in the world. Some endemic species in Australia are Red kangaroo, Koala, Wombat, Tasmanian devil, etc.
12. The inland Taipan snake found in Australia is the most venomous snake in the world. It has the lowest median lethal dose among all venomous snakes.
13. The red Kangaroo is the largest indigenous terrestrial mammal in Australia.
14. Emu is the second tallest bird in the world after the ostrich. It is also endemic to Australia.
15. Australia is home to two crocodile species – the saltwater crocodiles and the Australian freshwater crocodile.
Extra
- The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S latitude) passes through Australia.
- There are over 8,000 smaller islands in Australia.
- Australia has no official language. English is the most spoken language in Australia.
Basic facts about Australia
| Capital | Canberra |
| Largest metro city | Sydney |
| Area | 7.7 million square km (2.96 million square miles) |
| Area rank | 6th |
| Population | 25.4 million (2021 census) |
| Most spoken language | English |
| Number of states | 6 |