Australia is the smallest continent that lies between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. It is six times smaller than then Asia three times smaller than North America. Physical Map of Australia covers an area of 7,741,220 sq km with many mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and plains in the country. The Tropic of Capricorn runs right through the middle of this country. Australia hosts many unique species of plants and animals, including marsupials and a host of poisonous snakes and insects.
In the center of the continent are the Macdonnell Ranges and the Musgrave Ranges along with the Lake Eyre Basin and the Lake Torrens Basin. Mountains on the northwestern coast are the Capricorn Range, the Hamersley Range, and the King Leopold Ranges. The Australian Alps and the Great Dividing Range are on the southeast coast. The Clarke Range and Calliope Range are on the northeast coast. The island of Tasmania has the Great Western Tiers.
Quick Facts of Australia
| Continent | Australia |
|---|---|
| Region | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 27°00′00″S 144°00′00″E / 27.000°S 144.000°E |
| Area | Ranked 6th |
| • Total | 7,686,850 km2 (2,967,910 sq mi) |
| • Land | 99% |
| • Water | 1% |
| Coastline | 25,765 km (16,010 mi) |
| Borders | none |
| Highest point | Mount Kosciuszko 2,228 m (7,310 ft) |
| Lowest point | Lake Eyre, −15 m (−49 ft) |
| Longest river | Murray River, 2,375 km (1,476 mi) |
| Largest lake | Lake Eyre 9,500 km2 (3,668 sq mi) |
| Climate | Mostly desert or semi-arid, south-east and south-west corners: temperate, north: tropical climate, varied between tropical rainforests, grasslands, part desert. |
| Terrain | mostly low plateau with deserts, rangelands, and a fertile plain in the southeast |
| Natural Resources | minerals, coal, and timber |
| Natural Hazards | Cyclones along the northern coasts, severe thunderstorms, droughts, occasional floods, heatwaves, and frequent bushfires |
Physical Features of Australia
Australia is a vast and diverse continent with a wide variety of physical features. These features have had a significant impact on the country’s history, culture, and economy.
The Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range is the most prominent physical feature in Australia. It is a long mountain range that runs along the east coast of the country. The range is home to some of Australia’s highest mountains, including Mount Kosciuszko, the highest point in the country. The Great Dividing Range has acted as a barrier between the east and west coasts of Australia, and it has influenced the distribution of flora and fauna in the country.
The Nullarbor Plain
The Nullarbor Plain is a vast, flat, arid region in the center of Australia. It covers over 700,000 square kilometers, and it is home to a number of salt lakes, including Lake Eyre, the largest lake in Australia. The Nullarbor Plain has made it difficult to develop the country’s interior, but it is also a unique and beautiful landscape.
The Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling Basin is a fertile region in southern Australia. It is home to Australia’s most productive agricultural land, and it is also home to a number of important rivers, including the Murray River, the longest river in Australia. The Murray-Darling Basin has been a major source of agricultural wealth for Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. It is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, and it is home to over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. The reef supports a wide variety of marine life, and it is a major tourist destination.
The Deserts
Australia is also home to a number of deserts, including the Simpson Desert, the Great Sandy Desert, and the Gibson Desert. These deserts are some of the driest and most remote places on Earth. They are home to a variety of hardy plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions.
Australia’s Physical Features and Society
Australia’s physical features have had a significant impact on the country’s society. For example, the Great Dividing Range has helped to shape the distribution of population and infrastructure in Australia. The Nullarbor Plain has made it difficult to develop the country’s interior, but it has also helped to protect the Australian Outback from development. The Murray-Darling Basin has been a major source of agricultural wealth, and it has also helped to support the development of cities and towns along the river system. The Great Barrier Reef is a major tourist attraction, and it has helped to boost the economy of Queensland.
Australia’s physical features are a source of national pride, and they are also a reminder of the country’s unique and diverse natural environment.