Australia is a sovereign country in Australia and New Zealand, in the wider region of Oceania. Treaties and official documents call it Commonwealth of Australia. Government sits in Canberra.
It covers 7,692,024 km², which ranks it 7th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Brazil and just ahead of India. That makes it a fraction smaller than Brazil.
The population is about 27.2 million, placing it 54th of 250 by population — between Venezuela above it and Niger below. Measured only against its own subregion, it is 1st of 5 in size and 1st in population.
Geography and neighbours of Australia
Its reference point sits at 27.0° south and 133.0° east, which puts it in the southern hemisphere, roughly 3,006 km from the equator, in what geographers would call subtropical latitudes.
The Tropic of Capricorn passes across it. Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include South Africa, Eswatini and the Pitcairn Islands.
There is no land frontier at all — every boundary it has is a coastline. That puts it among the 85 entries of 250 here with no land neighbours, so everything and everyone arrives by sea or by air.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Who lives in Australia
Population divided by land area gives roughly 3.5 people per square kilometre, which makes it very thinly populated. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.
The demonym is Australian, so residents are Australians.
The one official language is English. Another 90 entries list English too — among them American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas.
Against Oceania as a whole it is the 1st most populous of 27 entries, and it accounts for 84% of everyone living in Australia and New Zealand.
The practical details for Australia
It uses the Australian dollar ($, AUD). It is issued for Australia alone.
The top-level domain is .au. The international dialling code is +61. In ISO terms it is au in two letters and AUS in three.
Canberra is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
Australia is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Fun facts about Australia
- Within Australia and New Zealand it is the 1st largest of 5.
- Its full official name is Commonwealth of Australia.
- Websites based there use the .au domain.
- People from Australia are known as Australians.
- South Africa and Eswatini sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
- In land area it is a fraction smaller than Brazil.
- It is 54th of 250 by population, with about 27.2 million residents.
- Ranked by land area, Australia is 7th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
Australia — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Australia?
- The capital of Australia is Canberra.
- How big is Australia?
- Australia covers 7,692,024 km², ranking 7th of 250 by land area. That makes it a fraction smaller than Brazil.
- Does Australia border any other country?
- No. Australia has no land border with any other country, so every route in or out is by sea or air. 85 of the 250 entries on this site are in the same position.
- What language is spoken in Australia?
- The official language of Australia is English. It is also official in 90 other entries on this list.
- What currency does Australia use?
- Australia uses the Australian dollar, written $ (currency code AUD). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
- Where is Australia located?
- Australia is in Australia and New Zealand, part of Oceania. Its reference coordinates are 27.0° south and 133.0° east, roughly 3,006 km from the equator in subtropical latitudes.
- What is the population of Australia?
- Australia has a population of about 27.2 million, which makes it the 54th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Venezuela sits just above it and Niger just below.
- Is Australia a country?
- Yes. Australia is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
