Australia’s Geographical Dimensions

Introduction   In this chapter we look at Australia’s geographical dimensions. We compare its relative size and shape with other continents and countries, and locate and recognise Australia on a world map using latitude and longitude. We also explain the origins of the continent from an Aboriginal and geographical perspective.

AUSTRALIA’S GEOGRAPHICAL DIMENSIONS  This chapter refers to the size of Australia and the other continents and mainly how big each one is compared to the others.  Geofacts   Australia is the smallest of the seven continents of the world.   Australia is the sixth-largest country.   Australia is the largest island in the world.   The population of Australia grew to over   20 million people in 2003.

LOCATING AUSTRALIA  This chapter focuses on where Australia is but also on longitude and latitude; what they are and how to use them.   Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, which it shares with the continents of Africa, South America and Antarctica, as well as many islands in the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans. We also refer to Australia as being located in the eastern hemisphere, which it shares with East Asia and South Asia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and part of Antarctica.

ORIGINS OF THE CONTINENT: ABORIGINAL PERSPECTIVE  1.3 is about how the continent came to be the way it is; from the aboriginal perspective. It talks about dreamtime  Geofacts   From archaeological sites, we know that Indigenous people have lived in Australia for at least years. This is a very long time compared to the time that Europeans have lived in Australia. Think of a clock — if Indigenous people have lived here for one hour, Europeans have been here for only 15 seconds.

ORIGINS OF THE CONTINENT: GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE  This chapter also talks about how Australia came to be the way it is but this chapter focuses on the geographical version. It is saying that the continents were all once joined to make one big continent, Pangea, and over time they separated to make all the different continents.

TECTONIC PROCESSES AND VOLCANIC ACTIVITY  This chapter talks about tectonic plates and what they do, how they affect the planet. It also talks about how volcanoes and mountains are formed. It talks about those things focusing on Australia and past geological activity.

IMPACTS OF CHANGING CLIMATES AND SEA LEVELS  Geo facts Australia is the continent with the lowest average elevation. The average altitude of the Australian landmass is only 300 meters. North America has an average elevation of 790 meters. Only 0.5 per cent of the Australian continent is above 1000 meters. This chapter talks about how time and climate has affected the sea levels

Broadsheet: Australia Overview  This is just a bunch of questions related to the different parts throughout chapter 1. It is also trying to summarize the chapter at the same time.