Australia

Introduction & Quick Facts
Geologic history
- General considerations
  - Tectonic framework
  - Chronological summary
- Stratigraphy and structure
  - The Precambrian
  - The Paleozoic Era
    - Principal regimes
    - Terranes of the Tasman Fold Belt
  - The Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras
    - The Quaternary Period
    - Economic resources
  - The modern geologic framework
  - Pangaean supercycle
Land
- Relief and drainage
  - Overall characteristics
  - The Western Plateau
  - The Interior Lowlands
  - The Eastern Uplands
  - The human impact
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
  - Overall characteristics
  - Conservation
  - Plant life
  - Vegetation
  - Animal life
People
- Ethnic groups
  - The Chinese
  - The Italians
  - Aboriginal peoples
- Languages
- Religion
- Demographic trends
  - White Australia policy
  - “Populate or perish”
  - First and second waves of postwar immigration
  - The advent of multicultural society
- Settlement patterns
  - Rural settlement
  - Urban settlement
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
  - Agriculture
  - Forestry and fishing
- Power and resources
  - Energy
  - Minerals and mining
    - Iron ore
    - Ferroalloys and nonferrous base metals
    - Precious metals
    - Nonmetallic deposits
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Services
- Labour and taxation
- Trade
- Transportation and telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
  - Local government
  - Justice
  - Political process
    - Elections
    - Political parties
    - Constitutional issues
  - Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
  - Literature
  - Performing arts
    - Dance
    - Music
    - Theatre
  - Visual arts
  - Film
  - The influence of Bollywood and anime
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
  - Cricket
  - Surfing
  - Australian rules football and rugby
  - Tennis and golf
  - Olympics
- Media and publishing
History
- Australia to 1900
  - Early exploration and colonization
    - Early contacts and approaches
      The Portuguese
      The Spanish
    - Oceanic exploration
      The Dutch
      The British
      Later explorations
    - European settlement
    - An authoritarian society
  - A major shift: 1830–60
    - Settlement
    - Politics
    - The economy
    - Culture
    - Aboriginal people
  - Several small democracies: 1860–1900
    - Politics
    - The economy
    - The colonies
      Victoria
      New South Wales
      Queensland
      South Australia
      Tasmania
      Western Australia
    - Social movements
      Labour
      Movement toward federation
    - The culture
    - Aboriginal people
- Australia since 1900
  - Nationhood and war: 1901–45
    - Growth of the Commonwealth
    - World War I
    - The postwar years
    - World War II
    - The culture
    - Aboriginal peoples
  - Australia from 1945 to c. 1983
    - Postwar expansion
    - The ascendance of Australian popular culture
    - Domestic politics to 1975
    - International affairs
    - Immigration
    - Strains of modern radicalism
    - Cultural achievements
  - Australia since 1983
    - Domestic issues
      The premierships of Bob Hawke (1983–91), Paul Keating (1991–96), and John Howard (1996–2007)
      The premierships of Kevin Rudd (2007–10 and 2013) and Julia Gillard (2010–13)
      The premierships of Tony Abbott (2013–15) and Malcolm Turnbull (2015–18)
      The premiership of Scott Morrison (2018–22)
      The premiership of Anthony Albanese (2022– )
    - Foreign policy and immigration
National and state emblems of Australia

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images, Videos & Interactives

Map showing the country of Australia divided into its states and territories with major cities and surrounding bodies of water, including the Indian Ocean, Coral Sea, Tasman Sea, and Pacific Ocean.

Uluru/Ayers Rock, Northern Territory, Australia

Dove Lake, Tasmania, Australia

Great Barrier Reef

MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia

Hamersley Range, Western Australia

At a Glance

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Australia summary

Australia

Also known as: Commonwealth of Australia

Written by

Michael RoeAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

June 8, 2026 •History

Australia, the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia’s capital is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne. The Australian mainland extends from west to east for nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) and from Cape York Peninsula in the northeast to Wilsons Promontory in the southeast for nearly...

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