Australia Geography

Study Notes

Located in the Southern Hemisphere
Island continent and country
Separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor seas
Neighboring countries: Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and East Timor
World's sixth-largest country by total area: approximately 7.7 million km² (2.97 million mi²)

Varied terrain:
- Mountains: Great Dividing Range, including the Australian Alps
- Deserts: Outback, including the Great Victoria Desert and the Great Sandy Desert
- Coastlines: 25,760 km (15,980 mi) long, with many beaches and coral reefs
Climate:
- Tropical in the north
- Desert in the center
- Temperate in the south and southwest
- Mediterranean in the southwest and southeast

Islands:
- Tasmania, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait
- Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia
Rivers:
- Murray River, longest river, flows through the southeast
- Darling River, flows through the interior
Lakes:
- Lake Eyre, largest saltwater lake, in South Australia
- Lake Argyle, largest freshwater lake, in Western Australia
Mountains:
- Mount Kosciuszko, highest peak, in the Australian Alps
- Uluru (Ayers Rock), famous monolith in the heart of Australia

Eastern Australia:
- Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory
Southern Australia:
- South Australia and Tasmania
Western Australia:
- Largest state by area, covers one-third of the country
Northern Australia:
- Northern Territory and northern parts of Western Australia and Queensland

Australia is situated in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is an island continent and a country.
Arafura and Timor seas separate Australia from Asia.
Neighboring countries include Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and East Timor.
Australia is the sixth-largest country by total area, covering approximately 7.7 million km² (2.97 million mi²).

The terrain in Australia is varied, featuring mountains, deserts, and coastlines.
The Great Dividing Range, including the Australian Alps, is a prominent mountain range.
The Outback is a vast desert region, featuring the Great Victoria Desert and the Great Sandy Desert.
Australia's coastline stretches for 25,760 km (15,980 mi) and features many beaches and coral reefs.
The climate varies across regions, with tropical, desert, temperate, and Mediterranean climates present.

Tasmania is a separate island, located off the mainland and separated by the Bass Strait.
Kangaroo Island is a notable island off the coast of South Australia.
The Murray River is Australia's longest river, flowing through the southeast.
The Darling River flows through the interior of Australia.
Lake Eyre is the largest saltwater lake, located in South Australia.
Lake Argyle is the largest freshwater lake, located in Western Australia.
Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak, located in the Australian Alps.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) is a famous monolith in the heart of Australia.

Eastern Australia comprises Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Southern Australia includes South Australia and Tasmania.
Western Australia is the largest state by area, covering one-third of the country.
Northern Australia encompasses the Northern Territory and northern parts of Western Australia and Queensland.