Facts

Facts About Australia
By Penny S. Harmon

Did you know that Australia is the 6th largest nation in the world? Did you know that Australia is the 2nd driest nation in the world? Here are some more facts about Australia.



Australia has two Territories and six States. The States are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The two Territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

The capital of Australia is Canberra.

The population of Australia is approximately 20 million people.

The largest city is Sydney. There are almost 4 million people living in Sydney, Australia.

The only country that uses money made from a plastic material is Australia. They do not have $1.00 and $2.00 notes (bills), they have $1.00 and $2.00 coins.

The $1.00 coin has five kangaroos on it.

The highest point in Australia is Mount Kosciuszko at over 7,310 feet tall.

The Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean border Australia.

Australia Day is January 26th.

No claims were made on Australian land until 1770 by Great Britain.

Australia is nicknamed The Land Down Under.

Australia is the only country that is an island and a continent by itself.

The Great Barrier Reef is located off Australia. It is the largest coral reef in the world.

The longest river in Australia is the Murray-Darling River, which is over 2,911 miles long.

Australia has tropical rain forests, as well as desert. The desert is called the Outback.

The Australian Mammal is the Red Kangaroo. The Australian Bird is the Emu.

The Australian Flower is the Golden Wattle and the Australian Gem is the Opal.

Australia has its own special slang, such as: Ace means excellent, Blue means fight, bloody means very, and mug is a friendly insult.