Overview of Australia

Location

Located in Oceania, it is the continent between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Area

• Total Area: 7,686,850 sq km
• Land Area: 7,617,930 sq km
• Size Comparison: Slightly smaller than China

Coastline

25,760 km

Climate

Overall, it ranges from arid to semi-arid. The southern and eastern regions are temperate and humid, while the northern region is tropical. Most of the land consists of low plains, with extensive desert areas, and the most fertile plains are along the eastern coastal region.

Administrative divisions

There are 6 states and 2 territories: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.

Capital

Canberra

Major Cities

• Sydney: The largest city, located in New South Wales, the economic centre of Australia.
• Melbourne: The second-largest city, located in Victoria, the financial centre of Australia.
• Brisbane: The third-largest city, located in Queensland, the IT and technology hub.
• Gold Coast: A world-famous tourist resort city, located in Queensland.
• Adelaide: The capital of South Australia.
• Perth: The capital of Western Australia, known for its energy sector.

Judicial system

Based on British common law, it follows the Anglo-American legal system and accepts case law, but with certain reservations.

Multiculturalism

Australia’s multiculturalism is the foundational principle of government policy, recognising, accepting, respecting, and celebrating the nation’s cultural diversity. Australian multiculturalism includes Indigenous cultures, early European settler cultures, cultures originating in Australia, and cultures brought by successive waves of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

China–Australia relations

Australia and China established formal diplomatic relations in 1972. Since then, the relationship has developed steadily. Australia recognizes that the 21st century is an Asian century, leading to a domestic trend of “shifting focus from Europe to Asia.” Trade between China and Australia, focused on wool, minerals, and agricultural products, is flourishing. Australia has a significant Chinese population, mainly immigrants and their descendants from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and other regions.

Natural resources

Rich in coal, iron ore, and copper.

Flora and fauna

Australia is home to many unique plants and animals not found in other regions, with kangaroos and koalas being among the most famous.