Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a fascinating country and the smallest continent on Earth. Situated in the Southern Hemisphere between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Australia boasts a unique blend of natural wonders and modern urban centers. But What Is The Australia Capital? The answer is Canberra, a city deliberately planned and strategically located in the southeastern part of the country.
Canberra’s strategic placement between the bustling metropolises of Sydney and Melbourne was a calculated decision to resolve the long-standing rivalry between these two cities, each vying to be the nation’s capital. Canberra emerged as a compromise, becoming the seat of government while Sydney and Melbourne continued to thrive as economic and cultural hubs.
A Land of Vast Dimensions
The Australian mainland stretches nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from west to east. From Cape York Peninsula in the northeast to Wilsons Promontory in the southeast, it extends almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km). Further south, Australia’s jurisdiction includes Tasmania, and to the north, it reaches the southern shores of Papua New Guinea. Its surrounding waters include the Timor and Arafura Seas (separating it from Indonesia), the Coral Sea and Torres Strait (northeast, separating it from Papua New Guinea), the Tasman Sea (southeast, separating it from New Zealand), and the Indian Ocean (far south, towards Antarctica).
Australia
Location of Australia in the world
“The Oldest Continent,” “The Last of Lands,” “The Last Frontier”
These evocative descriptions highlight the world’s fascination with Australia. While much of the continent’s bedrock dates back to the Precambrian and Paleozoic eras, its distinction as “the last of lands” stems from being the last continent (excluding Antarctica) explored by Europeans.
Long before European arrival, Aboriginal explorers from Asia populated the continent. By 20,000 years ago, they had spread throughout the mainland and Tasmania. When Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Botany Bay in 1788, the Aboriginal population was estimated to be between 250,000 and 500,000. These early inhabitants significantly transformed the landscape, primarily through the use of fire, establishing semi-permanent settlements.
Dove Lake in Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Isolation and the Outback
Australia’s global isolation, low relief, and aridity define its vastness. The Outback, the sparsely populated inland beyond the Great Dividing Range, evokes a sense of nostalgia and represents Australia’s strength and independence. The poem “Waltzing Matilda” by A.B. (“Banjo”) Paterson, is often considered the unofficial national anthem, embodying the spirit of the Outback.
Unique Flora and Fauna
Australia’s isolation fostered the evolution of unique plant and animal life. This includes diverse eucalyptus species and the egg-laying mammals, platypus and echidna. Kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras are also iconic Australian animals. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, is the world’s largest coral reef system and a major tourist destination.
The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
A Multicultural Society
While isolation remains a characteristic of the social landscape beyond major cities, modern Australian society embraces a broad spectrum of cultures through immigration. This has reshaped the strong Anglo-Celtic orientation of Australian culture.
Governance and Territories
Australia operates as a federal parliamentary state with a national government and individual state governments. These states include New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, each with its constitution and a degree of sovereignty. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) are internal territories with self-governing status.
Australia also governs external territories such as Norfolk Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, and Heard Island and McDonald Islands. It also claims the Australian Antarctic Territory.
Australia in the 21st Century
As a member of the Commonwealth, Australia is a prosperous independent country. Once remote from its traditional allies, it has increasingly focused on the Asian markets. Australia entered the 21st century as a culturally diverse land brimming with confidence, symbolized by Sydney hosting the 2000 Olympic Games. The Australia capital, Canberra, stands as a testament to strategic planning and national unity, while the country as a whole continues to evolve and thrive on the global stage.
