The Australia is among the six largest countries in the world with 7,686,850 square kilometers. It is located between the Pacific and Indian oceans , and has no land borders. The country’s capital is Canberra (not Sydney or Melbourne).
Without considering Antarctica , Australia is the most flat and arid territory in the world. The relief is formed by a plateau and several plains. It is a land of contrasts, landscapes and climates. On the southeast coast and on the fertile, but narrow east coast plain lives most of the population. The climate in these regions is temperate.There are three time zones in the country. The winter in the country occurs between the months of June and August, while the summer between December and February.Australia is divided into six states and five territories, of which only two are part of the continent, as the other three are Islands. The states are as follows:
New South Wales – The state capital is Sydney, which is the oldest and largest city in all of Australia. In the southeastern region, this is the most populous state and home to the country’s largest industries. The climate in the state is temperate, and the temperature varies between 7 ° (in winter) and 26 ° (in summer). Another important city in the state is Newcastle.
South Australia – The state capital is Adelaide, known as the country’s cultural capital. In this state, deserts and fertile lands are found (Vale de Barossa). The climate in the region is Mediterranean, with temperatures between 8 ° (in winter) and 28 ° (summer). In South Australia there are the Flinders and Murray rivers, and three large lakes, Gardiner, Torrens and Eyre.
Western Australia – The state capital is Perth. Although it is the largest state, it is the least populated. The region is mining. Due to the great extent of this state, it is found in different climatic zones . Temperatures vary between 8 ° (winter) and 40 ° (summer).
Queensland – The state capital is Brisbane, the country’s third largest city. It is located in the northeast of the country. Queensland is the state with the most popular beaches, especially in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions, bathed by the Pacific Ocean. Towards the Queensland coast, although off it, is the largest coral reef in the world, which stretches for approximately two thousand kilometers. The climate in the region is subtropical, with temperatures ranging between 10 ° (winter) and 38 ° (summer).
Victoria – The state capital is Melbourne, the country’s second largest city. The state is located in the south of the state of New South Wales. Victoria has forests and great lakes. The climate in Victoria is temperate, with temperatures ranging from 6 ° (winter) to 40 ° (summer).
Tasmania – The state capital is Hobart. Tasmania is an island south of the continent, surrounded by numerous smaller islands. The region is mountainous. The climate is temperate (maritime), with temperatures between 4 ° (winter) and 25 ° (summer).
The territories that are part of the continent are: Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.
Australian Capital Territory – The capital of the state (and country) is Canberra, the state being like the Federal District. It is located “within” the state of New South Wales. Like Brasília, Canberra was planned, and it is very sophisticated. The city was built around a large artificial lake. The climate in the region is Mediterranean, with temperatures between 3 ° (winter) and 27 ° (summer).
Northern Territory – The state capital is Darwin. To the north, the state consists of large dunes, lagoons and winding rivers, cliffs and massive valleys. In the center of the state is the largest monolith in the world, called Uluri (or Ayers Rock). The vegetation in the state is savanna or eucalyptus (temperate). The climate is tropical on the coast, and warm inland, with temperatures ranging between 19 ° (winter) and 35 ° in summer.
Due to its isolation, the fauna of Australia has species only found there, such as the Koala , the Kangaroo , the Platypus and the Tasmanian Devil, among others.
