Summary of the Characteristics of the Australian Continent (Brief)

When compared to other continents in the world, Australia is the smallest in terms of size. However, it still has the unique characteristics of the Australian continent and is certainly different from other continents.

Based on history, the continent of Australia was first discovered by a British sailor named James Cook. At that time, the area was already inhabited by the original tribes that still exist today, namely the Aborigines. Want to know more complete information about the green continent?

Characteristics of the Australian Continent

Several characteristics of the Australian continent set it apart from others, ranging from size to endemic animals there. This is the explanation.

1. Smallest Continent

Australia is in the order of the most distended continent when viewed in terms of area. That is only 1/5 part of the Asian continent which is the largest area. Australia only has a land area of ​​9,008,500 sq km or about 5.9 percent of the total earth area.

2. There's Only One Country

On this continent there is also only one country, namely Australia, consisting of several parts that are united in a common government. Unlike the continent in general, where there are many countries in it.

3. Located in the South

The location of this area is all in the Southern part of the Earth, focusing on one unified area plus small islands surrounding it.

4. Owning a Coral Island

There is one of the largest coral islands in the world, the name is The Great Reef. Its length reaches 2,300 km and has the most coral reefs. Where there are about 1,600 species of fish, 30 species of whales, 411 species of rock shells, and 150 species of soft coral.

In fact there are six species of turtles, out of a total of seven that exist in all corners of the earth.

5. Have Granite Batu

The granite in this area is also a special attraction, especially Ayers Rock or also called Uluru. It is located in the west Simpson Desert, with a height of 348 meters from the ground and there are still 2.5 km below the ground.

It is not wrong, if this one granite stone has been named the largest on earth. Often visited by tourists because of its stunning appearance.

6. Typical Tribes and Special Weapons

The typical tribe in Australia is Aboriginal, which is a characteristic of the Australian continent, based on data in 2016 the number reached 759,705 people. With the largest number in Northern Australia.

Meanwhile, it is estimated that the number is decreasing, in fact there are only 144 thousand left in the entire continent.

7. World Recognized Unique Animals

Kangaroos and Koalas are endemic animals that only exist in Australia. Both become icons and their own charm, with their respective shapes and uniqueness.

Kangaroos are known as marsupials, where the front of their body has a pouch that serves as a place to hold their young. Meanwhile, koalas are famous for their habit of carrying their children on their shoulders.

Read: Topographic maps

Australian Climate

Broadly speaking, as part of the characteristics of the Australian continent, this continent has a tropical climate but there is also a dry climate to the poles. Here is the division.

1. Tropical

It is a climate with two seasons, namely the rainy season which lasts six months and the dry season for the following six months. Rainfall in areas with this climate is high, with high humidity.

Areas of Australia with this climate are found in the Northern Territory, Kakadu, Arnhem, Darwin and Cairns.

2. Subtropical

Air pressure in the subtropics is quite high with cool winters and dry summers. Coastal Queensland is Australia's premier subtropical climate.

3. Desert

Day temperatures in desert areas can reach a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius, while at night a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius. The Central Region of Australia, is an area with this desert climate.

4. Pole

This area is very dry, with air that is not able to produce maximum humidity. The island of Tasmania, New South Wales, the Southeast Coast of Victoria has a polar climate.

5. Currently

It is a climate with four seasons, there are winter, summer, spring, and autumn. Areas that have this climate are Melbourne, Outback New South Wales, Adelaide, Victoria and Ballarat.

This climate is almost the same as most areas on other continents which also have four seasons each year, with relatively the same changeover time.

Read: Geography Concept

Australian Continent Boundary

When viewed from an astronomical perspective which is also included in the characteristics of the Australian continent, the Australian continent is located at 10^o41' South Latitude – 43^o39' South Latitude and 113^o East Longitude to 153^o39' East Longitude. With firm boundaries in various directions.

1. Eastern Boundary

Pacific Ocean, Coral Sea, Tasman Sea

2. Northern Limit

Arafuru Sea, Timor Sea, Torres. Strait

3. Western Boundary

Indian Ocean

4. Southern Boundary

Indian Ocean

Read: Geography Research

Australian State

There are eight states in Australia with varying sizes, capitals, population densities and population numbers. Here is the complete table.

The developments in each of these areas are very varied, but there are some that are directly related to Indonesia both in terms of economy and other cooperation.

Like New South Wales, which made a Memorandum of Understanding with DKI Jakarta as sister province state and become an area that provides supplies of various goods to Indonesia.

Then there is Queensland, which has a trading office in Jakarta, as part of the import-export cooperation that takes place between the two regions. There are also sister province state agreed by the Queensland government with the Province of Central Java, then sister city Between Semarang City and Brisbane City.

Another one is South Australia which cooperates with Indonesia, specifically West Java Province as the sister province state since 1977. Cooperation is carried out in various fields, such as health, agriculture, education, investment, to tourism.

Information about the characteristics of the Australian continent will certainly help you add insight into the small continent. Who knows, one day the opportunity to go there and be able to see firsthand the various uniqueness that is there.