Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who was the first to sight Australia?
Who was the first to sight Australia?
Which country established its control over the western part of Australia by 1829?
Which country established its control over the western part of Australia by 1829?
What event led to a significant migration of Europeans to Australia in the early 1850s?
What event led to a significant migration of Europeans to Australia in the early 1850s?
When did the Commonwealth of Australia become a dominion of Britain?
When did the Commonwealth of Australia become a dominion of Britain?
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What does the name 'Australia' derive from?
What does the name 'Australia' derive from?
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Where is Australia located geographically?
Where is Australia located geographically?
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What ocean washes the shores of Australia in the north and east?
What ocean washes the shores of Australia in the north and east?
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Which sea separates Australia from East Timor?
Which sea separates Australia from East Timor?
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Which city in Australia is often referred to as the 'Harbour City'?
Which city in Australia is often referred to as the 'Harbour City'?
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What is the capital of Australia?
What is the capital of Australia?
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Which body of water lies between Australia and New Zealand?
Which body of water lies between Australia and New Zealand?
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Study Notes
Australia: The Island Continent
- Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world.
- It is also the only continent occupied by a single country.
- Australia is often referred to as Oceania or Australasia, along with New Zealand and its neighboring islands.
History of Australia
- Australia was first sighted by the Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon in 1606.
- British seaman James Cook reached the eastern coast of Australia in 1770.
- The first colonial settlement was established in New South Wales in 1788.
- Gold was discovered in Australia in the early 1850s, leading to European migration.
- The Commonwealth of Australia was established as a dominion of Britain on 1 January 1901.
- All constitutional ties between Australia and Britain ended with the passing of the Australia Act in 1986.
Geography of Australia
- Australia is located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
- It lies between the Indian Ocean in the west and the South Pacific Ocean in the east.
- The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) passes almost through the middle of the continent.
- Australia stretches from 10°S to 44°S latitude and from 112°E to 154°E longitude.
- The Indian Ocean washes its shores in the north and east, and the Southern Ocean borders Australia in the south.
Political Divisions and Boundaries
- Australia is divided into six self-governing states and two central administered territories.
- The country is bordered by the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea, and Torres Strait in the north.
- Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia lie to its north-east and east, in the South Pacific Ocean.
- The Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand in the south-east.
Major Cities
- Sydney is the most populous city of Australia, often referred to as the Harbour City.
- Melbourne is an important centre of industry, commerce, and cultural activity, often called the 'sporting and cultural capital' of Australia.
- Canberra is the capital of Australia, housing the Parliament, the High Court, and many government departments and agencies.
- The National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia are significant cultural institutions in Canberra.
- Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are popular tourist attractions.
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Description
Test your knowledge about Australia, the island continent known for being the smallest continent and the sixth largest country. Learn about its exploration history, colonization, and geographical features.
