Australia

Geographical location: Southern hemisphere, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans

Size: Sixth-largest country in the world

Bordering countries: None

Landscape: Diverse landscapes, including deserts, forests, beaches, and mountains

Climate: Ranges from tropical in the north to temperate in the south

Population: Exceeds 25 million, concentrated in cities along the eastern and southeastern coasts

Capital city: Canberra

Other important cities: Sydney (largest city), Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide

Language: English

Currency: Australian dollar

Cuisine: Influences from British, Asian, and Mediterranean cultures

Famous tourist attractions: Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Sydney Opera House

Interesting historical facts: Indigenous peoples settled over 60,000 years ago. Captain James Cook claimed the land for the British Empire in 1770. A penal colony was established in Sydney in 1788. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 from six separate British colonies.