Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country and continent located in the southern hemisphere. It comprises the mainland, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the east, with the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea and Bass Strait among its maritime boundaries. The capital is Canberra, and the largest city is Sydney. English is the de facto national language; there is no official language at the federal level.

Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy and a representative democracy. The country consists of six states and two territories. The Constitution of 1901 created the Commonwealth of Australia, uniting these colonies.

Indigenous peoples have occupied the continent for tens of thousands of years, with a rich diversity of cultures and languages. British colonization began in 1788, leading to a complex history of settlement, dispossession, and immigration. Since the mid-20th century, Australia has developed a multicultural society.

Geographically, Australia spans deserts and rainforests, with arid interiors known as the Outback, temperate regions along the coasts, and tropical areas in the north. The Great Barrier Reef lies off the northeast coast. The country is rich in natural resources and has a high-income economy driven by services, mining, agriculture, and tourism.

Australia’s population is about 26 million. Major urban centers include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The country maintains a diverse culture, a strong education system, and active participation in regional and global affairs.