Australia belongs to Oceania, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia. Its land area is 7,686,850 square kilometers, surrounded by the sea, making it the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. As Australia is a very popular immigration destination, today we will provide information about Australia's administrative divisions and geographical knowledge.
Australia has six states and two territories. The six states were formerly independent British colonies before 1901, while areas not governed by those colonies became territories directly administered by the federal government after 1901. Australia has only two territories: the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
New South Wales
New South Wales is located in the southern part of Australia and was the first British colony established in Australia. It is now the most populous state in Australia and the most developed region in terms of industry and commerce, with agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, and abundant energy resources forming the economic foundation of the state.
Queensland
Queensland is located in the northern part of Australia. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, borders Northern Territory and South Australia to the west, and is adjacent to New South Wales to the south. It has a total area of 1,727,200 square kilometers and a population of 4.18 million, making it the second largest state by area and the third most populous state in Australia. Due to low rainfall and abundant sunshine, it is known as the "Sunshine State."
South Australia
South Australia occupies one-eighth of the Australian continent and is the third largest state in Australia, with an area of 980,000 square kilometers and a population of 1.6 million. It has a coastline of 3,700 kilometers. Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, located on a plain between popular beaches and the Adelaide Hills. The southern region of South Australia (including Adelaide) has a mild winter climate, with an average high temperature of 15°C; summers are dry and hot, with average high temperatures around 29°C. Adelaide is a well-planned city, proportionally having the most restaurants in Australia, with wide streets and parks, where ancient and modern buildings blend harmoniously.
Victoria
Victoria is located in the southern part of New South Wales, in the southeastern part of the Australian continent. It is relatively small, accounting for about three percent of Australia, and it takes no more than a day's drive from anywhere in the state to Melbourne.
Western Australia
Western Australia occupies the entire western region of the Australian continent, with a population of just over 2 million. The southwestern part of Western Australia is a forested area filled with towering trees, where the land is fertile, and most of the population resides.
Tasmania
Tasmania is the smallest state in Australia, being an island that retains many landscapes and buildings from the early colonial era. Hobart, as the capital of Tasmania, is also the second oldest city in Australia, established in 1804.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory (capital: Darwin, total population: just over 200,000) is famous for its renowned "Red Centre" and the world's largest monolith, Uluru (Ayers Rock). The main industry in the Northern Territory is mining, with cattle ranching also playing an important role.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT, total population: just over 320,000) has an area of 2,333 square kilometers, with the most important city being the capital, Canberra. Canberra is located between Sydney and Melbourne, not far from the Australian Alps. The city government office building is located in the city center, surrounded by greenery and gardens. Numerous parks and gardens are vibrant, and in autumn, the entire city appears as a golden world.