2. Australia is the world’s smallest continent. It is an island continent surrounded by ocean. – It is slightly smaller than the continental United States. – Australia covers about 3 million square miles. – It is located in the southern hemisphere.

3. Australia is home to more than 20 million people. The largest city in Australia is Sydney. It has about 4.2 million people. Most of the population lives along the temperate southeastern coastline.

4. Australia is the only continent that is also a country. It is divided into six states and two major mainland territories. – The states are: New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia – The territories are: The Northern Territory The Australian Capital Territory

5. By far, the largest part of Australia is desert. This desert is called The Outback. Australia is the flattest continent and driest inhabited continent. Only the southeast and southwest corners of the continent have a temperate climate. The landscapes of the northern part of the country has a tropical climate. It consist of rainforest, woodlands, grasslands, mangrove swamps, and desert. By far, the largest part of Australia is desert. This desert is called The Outback. Australia is the flattest continent and driest inhabited continent. Only the southeast and southwest corners of the continent have a temperate climate. The landscapes of the northern part of the country has a tropical climate. It consist of rainforest, woodlands, grasslands, mangrove swamps, and desert.

6. Mount Augustus is the world's largest monolith. It is located in Western Australia. (A monolith is a large column formed from a single stone). At 7,310 ft, Mount Kosciusko on the Great Dividing Range, is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland, although Mawson Peak on the remote Australian territory of Heard Island is taller at 9,006 ft. Mount Augustus is the world's largest monolith. It is located in Western Australia. (A monolith is a large column formed from a single stone). At 7,310 ft, Mount Kosciusko on the Great Dividing Range, is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland, although Mawson Peak on the remote Australian territory of Heard Island is taller at 9,006 ft.

7. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef. It stretches for 1,616 miles. The reef is made up of about 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is located in the Coral Sea, a short distance off the northeast coast of Queensland.

8. crocodile The Thorny Devil Tasmanian Devil Bilby Dingo wombat kangaroo Koala bear Red eyed tree frog alpaca echidna taipan