1. A Physical Map: Australia

2. Australia is the only country that is also called a continent
Australia is the only country that is also called a continent. It is sometimes referred to as the “island continent.”

3. Australia is the 6th largest country in the world and the smallest continent in terms of size.

4. Australia is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

5. Most of Australia is low and flat
Most of Australia is low and flat. However, the Great Dividing Range includes some of the highest elevations in Australia. The Australian Alps at the end of the range include the highest peak of Mount Kosciuszko.

6. The country has four major deserts – the Gibson, Great Sandy, Great Victoria, and the Simpson Desert.

7. The Great Artesian Basin is an underground water area that has allowed a major part of arid Australia to be settled and turned into grazing land.

8. The Great Barrier Reef is a chain of more than 2,500 reefs
The Great Barrier Reef is a chain of more than 2,500 reefs. It is 1,250 miles long.

9. The Great Australian Bight is a wide bay which indents South Australia
The Great Australian Bight is a wide bay which indents South Australia. They bay is 720 miles long.

10. Vocabulary Words

11. Artesian basin – land formed by underground water

12. bight – a bay formed by the curve of a coastline

13. cartographer – mapmaker

14. coral – a substance made up a skeletons of tiny sea creatures

15. Coral reef – a ridge made of coral and other materials that have solidified into rock

16. elevation – height of the land above sea level

17. gulf – a large area of ocean that is partly surrounded by land

18. Mountain range – a group or chain of mountains

19. Physical map – a map that shows natural landforms and waterways on Earth’s surface

20. strait – a narrow channel connecting two bodies of water

21. tableland – a high, broad, level plateau

22. Answers

23. 1. Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans; Coral, Tasman, and Timor Seas
MONDAY
1. Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans; Coral, Tasman, and Timor Seas
2. Gibson, Great Sandy, Great Victoria, and Simpson Deserts

24. TUESDAY
1. Australian Alps
2. Melville Island and Tasmania

25. 1. Murray River; southeast Australia
WEDNESDAY
1. Murray River; southeast Australia
2. Lake Eyre, Lake Mackay, Darling River, Murray River, and Victoria River

26. THURSDAY
1. Bass Strait
2. The Great Barrier Reef; off the northeast coast of Australia

27. 1. Gulf of Carpentaria and the Great Australian Bight
FRIDAY
1. Gulf of Carpentaria and the Great Australian Bight
2. Barkly Tableland