Australia

Australia is both a country and a continent, known for its unique geography, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by total area, located in the Southern Hemisphere, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Australia is characterized by diverse landscapes that include deserts, tropical forests, mountain ranges, and coastlines. The country is made up of six states—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania—as well as two territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The capital city is Canberra, while major cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Australia is known for its rich Indigenous history, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples being the original inhabitants, whose cultures and traditions date back thousands of years. The nation is also famed for its unique wildlife, comprising many species found nowhere else on Earth, such as kangaroos, koalas, and various reptiles and birds. In modern times, Australia is recognized for its economic development, political stability, and high standard of living, and it plays a significant role in international affairs within the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.