List of basic Australia topics

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For an alphabetical index of this subject, see the List of Australia-related articles.
Location of Australia
Location of Australia

Australia refers to both the continent of Australia and the country of Australia which is located there. Australia, the world's smallest continent, is in the southern hemisphere and lies within both the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The country, the official name of which is the Commonwealth of Australia, comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, plus the major island of Tasmania, and a number of other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.N4 The neighbouring countries are Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia to the north-east, and New Zealand to the south-east.

The Australian mainland has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians.[1] After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and then European discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606,[2] the eastern half of Australia was later claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation as part of the colony of New South Wales, commencing on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas were explored, another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established during the 19th century.

The following list of topics is provided as an overview of and introduction to Australia:

Map of Australia
Map of Australia

Contents

[hide]


  • International rankings of Australia

[edit] Geography of Australia

Climatic zones in Australia, based on Köppen classification.
Climatic zones in Australia, based on Köppen classification.
Main articles: Australia (continent), Australia, and Geography of Australia

[edit] Environment of Australia

[edit] Geographic features of Australia

Main article: Landforms of Australia

[edit] Regions of Australia

Main article: Regions of Australia

[edit] Multi-state regions

[edit] Administrative divisions of Australia

Australian external territories
Australian external territories
Main article: States and territories of Australia

[edit] States of Australia

[edit] Territories of Australia

[edit] Mainland territories of Australia

[edit] External territories of Australia

[edit] Local government areas (municipalities) of Australia

[edit] Demography of Australia

Main article: Demographics of Australia
State/territory Land area (km²) Rank Population (2006) Rank Population density (/km²) Rank  % of population in capital Rank
 Australian Capital Territory 2,358 8th 336,400 7th 137.53 1st 99.6% 1st
 New South Wales 800,642 5th 6,817,100 1st 8.44 3rd 63% 5th
 Victoria 227,416 6th 5,188,100 2nd 22 2nd 71% 4th
 Queensland 1,730,648 2nd 4,264,590 3rd 2.26 5th 46% 7th
 South Australia 983,482 4th 1,581,400 5th 1.56 6th 73.5% 2nd
 Western Australia 2,529,875 1st 2,105,800 4th 0.79 7th 73.4% 3rd
 Tasmania 68,401 7th 492,700 6th 7.08 4th 41% 8th
 Northern Territory 1,349,129 3rd 215,000 8th 0.15 8th 54% 6th

[edit] Government and politics of Australia

Main articles: Australian governments, Government of Australia, and Politics of Australia


[edit] Federal government of Australia

[edit] Branches of the government of Australia

[edit] Executive branch of the government of Australia

[edit] Legislative branch of the government of Australia

[edit] Judicial branch of the government of Australia

[edit] Military of Australia

[edit] Foreign relations of Australia

[edit] International organization membership

Australia is a member of:

[edit] Law and order in Australia

Main article: Law of Australia

[edit] State and territory governments of Australia

[edit] Local government in Australia

See also: Local government

[edit] History of Australia

Map showing the creation of the colonies/states and mainland territories.
Map showing the creation of the colonies/states and mainland territories.
Main articles: History of Australia, Timeline of Australian history

[edit] History of the states of Australia

[edit] Culture of Australia

Main article: Culture of Australia

[edit] The Arts in Australia

[edit] Sport in Australia

Main article: Sport in Australia

[edit] Economy of Australia

Main article: Economy of Australia


[edit] Economy of the states of Australia

[edit] Education in Australia

Main articles: Education in Australia and Lists of schools in Australia

[edit] Education in the states of Australia

[edit] Infrastructure of Australia

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Both Australian Aborigines and Europeans Rooted in Africa - 50,000 years ago
  2. ^ MacKnight, CC (1976).The Voyage to Marege: Macassan Trepangers in Northern Australia. Melbourne University Press

[edit] External links

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