Fraser Island off the Queensland coast is Australia’s fifth largest island but the World’s largest sand island. Australian Geographic acknowledges the First Nations people of Australia as traditional custodians, and pay our respects to Elders past and present, and their stories and … Our most famous rock of course is Uluru in the Northern Territory. Find out just how much you know with this geography quiz. They were: In 1901, Australia became a nation but remained a member of the British Commonwealth. The calculations confirmed that Australia’s longest single river is the River Murray at 2,375 kilometres. The largest Australian desert is the Great Victoria desert at 348,750 square kilometres, spanning Western and South Australia. It is four times the size of Indonesia and Mexico. Geography, Climate, and Biodiversity Australia is located in Oceania between the Indian and South Pacific Oceans. Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere, south of Asia, near Indonesia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Although it is a large country, its topography is not too varied, and most of it consists of low desert plateau. In 1911, Australia's Northern Territory became a part of the Commonwealth (prior control was by South Australia.). Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. In addition, endangered coral reefs are common on Australia's coast—the most famous of these is the Great Barrier Reef. In 1986, The Australia Act furthered the cause. Australia is in fact the lowest continent in the world in terms of its elevation. Australia is considered a developed nation, and it has the world's 12th-largest economy and sixth-highest per-capita income. The first of these is Australia. It is located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the Southern hemisphere. The Murray-Darling catchment also contains Australia’s longest continuous river system. Australia is comparable in size to the continental United States. What can be seen above the surface of the surrounding plains today is merely the eroded remains of what was a much larger mass of sandstone that was thrust upward and tipped over by geological upheaval 300 -400 million years ago. You can use these to host your very own virtual pub quiz on Zoom or Houseparty with your friends, or simply play along at home right now as you scroll down the page. Coming up are 50 world geography quiz questions and answers. The highest points on the other continents are all more than twice the height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. It is an island nation that comprises the Australian continent as well as the island of Tasmania and some other small islands. As a result, the population centers continue to be in the coastal areas. On February 7, he issued a proclamation that established the colony of New South Wales. Other island countries nearby Australia include East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, and … In 1911, Australia's Capital Territory (where Canberra is located today) was formally established, and in 1927, the seat of government was transferred from Melbourne to Canberra. Apart from Antarctica, Australia is the driest continent in the world. Their assistance is gratefully acknowledged. Australia is a member state of the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and Pacific Islands Forum.The UN is an international organization that was founded in 1945 after WWII by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. 35 Geography questions and answers for your home pub quiz We may earn commission from links on this page. It is also the lowest, the flattest and (apart from Antarctica) the driest. 117,410. The Australia Geography Printables include the following worksheets: an Australian mapping sheet {map rivers, countries, mountains, and other geographical information} an Australian country factsheet to write down information about Australia including when it became a country, current population, climate, type of government, and more. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. In reality, it is a place so large and unique that the outsider view does not begin to describe its physical diversity. These worksheets on Australia are focused on the Geography of Australia and they are free to download, print off and use today. Although most of Australia is arid desert, it supports a wide range of habitats, thus making it incredibly biodiverse. No Ayers Rock or … It has an executive branch with Queen Elizabeth II as the Chief of State as well as a separate prime minister as head of government. The iconic image of Uluru that is so familiar in travel brochures and magazines belies the surprising shape of the rock when viewed from space. Australia also has a number of large islands in the Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans and the Coral and Timor Seas as part of its External Territories as well as several closer to the mainland which are larger than 1000 square kilometres.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'australias_guide-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',143,'0','0'])); Despite the popular references to Australia at the bottom of the world in the Southern Hemisphere. In its waters, around 89% of Australia's fish species both inland and offshore are restricted only to the country. You can opt-out at any time. At that time, it is believed that people from Indonesia developed boats that were able to carry them across the Timor Sea, which was lower in sea level at the time. In 1868 the movement of prisoners to Australia ended, but shortly before that, in 1851, gold had been discovered there, which significantly increased its population and helped grow its economy. Most of Australia and Oceania is under the Pacific, a vast body of water that is larger than all the Earth’s continental landmasses and islands combined. It also has the greatest number of reptile species in the world as well as some of the most venomous snakes and other dangerous creatures like the crocodile. Australia’s capital is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne. The legislative branch is a bicameral Federal Parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Many international travelers visiting Australia underestimate the distances between cities and travel times. The main industries in Australia are mining (such as coal and natural gas), industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, and steel manufacturing. You can use these Australia worksheets in schools or at home and they are colourful and well designed. Formerly named Ayers Rock, it covers an area of more than 3 square kilometers and nearly 10km’s around the base. There’s a fun picture round too, to divide the geography … Despite its name, Mount Augustus is not a mountain, but one very large rock. Statistical Geography allows users to understand, compare and analyse statistical data for informed decision making about all sorts of places from Cities and Suburbs to Regional Areas or Local Government Areas. Following the establishment of New South Wales in 1788, five more colonies were founded by the mid-1800s. Europeans did not discover Australia until 1770 when Captain James Cook mapped the island's east coast and claimed the land for Great Britain. It is separated because of its location in the middle of the Indo-Australian Plate and the fact that, due to its location, there was no mountain building during its development. The southeast, however, does have fertile plains. Australia Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. On October 9, 1942, Australia and Great Britain ratified the Statute of Westminster, which began to formally establish the country's independence. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system and it stretches over an area of 133,000 square miles (344,400 square kilometers.). ancient and it has some of the oldest geological features in the world. It is also known as the Eastern Highlands. The name “Oceania” justly establishes the Pacific Ocean as the defining characteristic of the region. Australia is most famous for its marsupial species, which include the kangaroo, koala, and wombat. Located in the Australian Outback, the rock stands more than 2,300 feet tall and can be seen from nearly 100 miles. The total desert area equates to 18 per cent of the total mainland area of Australia. Australia: Physical Features - Map Quiz Game: To outsiders, Australia consists of a few cities, something called the Outback, and not much else. Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. The ABS has recently undertaken a review of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). The outcomes of this review are available in this Information Paper. Alpine forests, tropical rainforests, and a wide variety of plants and animals thrive there because of its geographic isolation from the rest of the world. Australia is ancient and it has some of the oldest geological features in the world. The Largest Rock on the Planet is in Australia. Copyright © 2020Australias Guide Pty Ltd. The southeast, however, does have fertile plains. The Great Dividing Range is a significant geographical feature of Australia. The runner up is the Great Sandy desert in Western Australia at 267,250 square kilometres. Which other pieces of geography trivia about Australia do you know? An Overview of the History and Geography of New Zealand, Geography and History of the Island Nation of Samoa, History and Geography of the Florida Keys, Geography of the Territories of the United States, M.A., Geography, California State University - East Bay, B.A., English and Geography, California State University - Sacramento. The lengths of the 10 longest rivers in Australia were re-calculated in September 2008 by Geoscience Australia using data from the National Topographic Database. It shares no land borders with any other country. Australia, an island continent, is the smallest of the continents, with a land mass of about 8.5 million square kilometers. The highest point on the Australian mainland is Mount Kosciuszko, New South Wales, at 2228 metres above sea level. It is slightly smaller than the US mainland. It includes a number of hills, mountains and plateaux. It is one of the largest countries on Earth. The country's judicial system is based on English common law and is composed of the High Court as well as lower-level federal, state, and territorial courts. The Geography of Australia Borders: Australia is an island and a continent. Australia is a continent and an island located in Oceania between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. with an average elevation of only 330 metres. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. The runner up for Australia’s longest river is the Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales at 1,485 kilometres. The highest peak on the Australian mainland is Mount Kosciuszko which is 2228 metres above sea level. It includes Australia, the smallest continent in terms of total land area. Another surpassing Mount Koscuiszko is Mawson’s Peak on Heard Island, which is 2745 metres high and forms the summit of an active volcano called Big Ben. It shares its name with the country that claims control over it. About 35 per cent of the continent receives so little rain, it can be classified as desert. Due to its isolation from the rest of the world, Australia was an uninhabited island until about 60,000 years ago. Geoscience Australia is the government's technical adviser on all aspects of geoscience, and custodian of the geographical and geological data and knowledge of the … Topping the list is Mt McClintock in the eastern sector of the Territory at 3490 metres with Mt Menzies in the western sector a close second at 3355 metres, both considerably higher than Mount Koscuiszko. The River Murray and its tributary, the Darling River, are the main rivers in the Murray-Darling River Basin. Australia covers an area of 7,741,220 sq km. As such, 92% of its vascular plants, 87% of its mammals, 93% of its reptiles, 94% of its frogs, and 45% of its birds are endemic to Australia. Australia, now officially called the Commonwealth of Australia, is a federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm. The coastal areas and islands receive more rain and are much better suited to settlement. The first sight of Sydney, whether from the sea or the air, is always spectacular. Average, 10 Qns, EnglishJedi, Feb 28 17. The Australian mainland is in fact the world’s largest island and is often referred to as an island continent. Geographical and climatic features Australia is the smallest of the world's continents. Australia is located in Oceania between the Indian and South Pacific Oceans. Most of Australia and Oceania is under the Pacific, a vast body of water that is larger than all the Earth’s continental landmasses and islands combined. Although it is a large country, its topography is not too varied, and most of it consists of low desert plateau. Agriculture also plays a role in the country's economy, and its main products include wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits, cattle, sheep, and poultry. Create account to play. Australia is a country in the Southern hemisphere and belongs to Oceania. Australia is also surrounded by thousands of smaller islands ranging is size from rocky outcrops to some more than twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory. ... From the most desolate roads in Australia to the busy, bustling streets of New York City. Properly called the Commonwealth of Australia, its territory consists of the entire continent and smaller outlying islands. You may already know that the Australian continent includes the Australian mainland and nearby islands, but how well-versed are you in some of the finer details of its geography? Geography Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. It is made up of more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral bays and supports more than 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of hard coral, "one-third of the world’s soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals," including endangered species, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Most of the first settlers in Australia were convicts who had been transported there from England. Australia also has two major mainland territories— the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (which contains Australia’s capital city of Canberra). The northern half of Australia is situated in the tropical zone and the southern half is situated in the … Test your knowledge of the "land down under" with this Australian geography quiz. On January 26, 1788, colonization of Australia began when Captain Arthur Phillip landed in Port Jackson, which later became Sydney. It is the world’s sixth-largest country by total area. Australia/Oceania is the smallest continent of the seven continents and many consider it as the largest island in the world, however, Greenland is the biggest island country. Australia is the smallest continent (and the largest island) in the world, and terrain ranges from baking red desert to lush green rainforest, and from world-renowned surfing beaches to snow-clad mountains. The larges of these is Melville Island in the Northern Territory with an area of 5,786 square kms. From north to south the country is 3,200 kilometers long, with a tropical climate in the north and a temperate climate in the south. A Tour of Hidden Australia 10 questions. This document includes some material prepared by Australian government department Geoscience Australia, associated organisations and/or other authorities. The diversity of Australia’s features are significant and for those not familiar with the scale of the country, it is easy to think of it as a relatively small island. It is the largest country entirely in the southern hemisphere and the largest country without any land borders. It is known for a high life expectancy, its education, quality of life, biodiversity, and tourism. Why Australia is banning climbers from this iconic natural landmark This drainage basin comprises the major part of the interior lowlands of Australia, covering more than one million square kilometres, or about 14 per cent of Australia. National Geographic’s latest travel stories about Australia. Australia has a strong economy due to its extensive natural resources, well-developed industry, and tourism. Australia's climate is mostly arid to semiarid, but the south and east are temperate and the north is tropical. Australia, the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Most of the interior of the continent is arid to semi-desert because of low rainfall. Many international travelers visiting Australia underestimate the distances between cities and travel times. It is a little-known fact that the highest point on Australian territory is in the Australian Antarctic Territory. Covering an area of 7,617,930 sq.km (2,969,907 sq mi), Australia is the largest island and the smallest continent, the world’s 6 th largest country and the largest country in Oceania. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west. GeoGuessr is a geography game which takes you on a journey around the world and challenges your ability to recognize your surroundings. 50,188,934. Kosciuszko is located in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales. The name “Oceania” justly establishes the Pacific Ocean as the defining characteristic of the continent. It includes Australia, the smallest continent in terms of total land area. Our editorial is always independent ( learn more ) Australia's Geographic Features The diversity of Australia’s features are significant and for those not familiar with the scale of the country, it is easy to think of it as a relatively small island. Australia: geography and landscape. Instead, Australia's current physical landscape features were formed mainly by erosion. It rises 345 metres in height and is estimated to have been laid down around 500 million years ago in an inland sea. Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth, and the only … Play. 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