Australia

One of the world’s flattest landmasses. The average elevation is about 300 m. The highest peak in the Australian Alps is Mount Kosciusko (2228 m.) in New South Wales. Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands.

Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. Coral reefs are made up of living organisms. They exist in the ocean. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over an area of almost 133,000 square miles. It is so vast that it can be seen from outer space. As the world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef has been labeled as one of the seven wonders of the world. It lies in the Coral Sea, off the northeast coast of Australia.

Great Victoria Desert The Great Victoria Desert is in southern Australia. It is a vast, barren region with many small lakes and grasslands.

Ayers Rock Ayers Rock is a giant sandstone rock formation. It lies in central Australia. Ayers Rock has many waterholes, caves, and springs. The Aborigines believe Ayers Rock is sacred.

The Outback Much of Australia is covered by the Australian Outback. It is a dry region that covers most of Australia’s interior. Temperatures in the Outback can be very hot. There is very little rain. Most of the soil is not good for farming. Harsh conditions and the lack of fertile farmland mean that very few people live in the Outback.

Population Most Australians live in cities along Australia’s southeast coast. This is largely because of the mild, temperate climate the region offers. Due to rich mineral deposits, portions of northwest Australia are home to mining communities. Miners rely on these natural resources for income. The interior of the continent is dominated by the Outback.

Trade and Resources Australia’s geography impacts trade. Because of its dry terrain and vast wilderness areas. Australia has historically had to import many of the agricultural products that it needs. International trade has long been a critical part of Australia’s survival. Since Australia is an island nation, it has to import most manufactured goods. Australia produces 95% of the world’s precious opals and 99% of its black opals.

Trade and Resources Continued Over the centuries, most Australians settled along the continents coast. These settlements served as important harbors and some of them grew into bustling cities. Towns also grew up further inland along Australia’s rivers. They provide the continent with what fertile land it has. Australia's rivers allow travel and permit inland farmers and businesses to ship products to the coast. Few Australian’s live in the Outback or other regions that offer very little water or access to trade.

Trade and Resources continued Kalgoorlie in Western Australia is Australia’s largest producer of gold. Australia’s 85.7 million sheep produce most of the world’s wool. With 25.4 million of cattle it is also the world’s largest exporter of beef.

Flora & Fauna Australia developed a unique Fauna when it broke away from the super-continent Gondwana more than 50 million years ago. Today, it is home to a wealth of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. Around 800 species of birds, half of which are unique to the country. More than 4,000 fish varieties and 10,000 species of invertebrates. 80% of its marine species are unique to the country.

25,000 species of plants, compared to 17,500 in Europe. Living fossils like the Wollemi pine and the grass tree and brilliant wildflowers. There are over 12,000 species in Western Australia alone.