The most interesting facts about Australia: A highly developed country and one of the wealthiest, Australia is an independent Western democracy with a population of more than 20 million. It is one of the world’s most urbanized countries, with about 70 per cent of the population living in the 10 largest cities. Most of the population is concentrated along the eastern seaboard and the south-eastern corner of the continent. Australia’s lifestyle reflects its mainly Western origins.
There are many Interesting Facts About Australia. The country is most commonly known for Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, kangaroos, koalas, cricket, swimming, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Aborigines, Minerals, wine and Vegemite to Aussies and foreigners. But Australia is much more than these. Here are some of the more amazing, unusual and interesting facts about Australia to share with family, friends and visitors.
Take a look at 10 interesting facts about Australia that will amaze you.
10. Biggest Island & Smallest Continent
One of the interesting facts about Australia is that Australia is the biggest island and the smallest continent in the world. Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent and its outlying islands. The mainland is the largest island and the smallest, flattest continent on Earth.
See also; Top 10 Fascinating Wonders of Australia.
9. Driest Inhabited Continent
Lying between 10° and 39° South latitude, Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world. Its interior has one of the lowest rainfalls in the world and about three-quarters of the land is arid or semi-arid. Its fertile areas are well-watered, however, and these are used very effectively to help feed the world.
8. Sixth Largest Nation in The World
Another interesting facts about Australia, In land area, Australia is the world’s sixth-largest country by total area after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population.
World’s Longest Fence
The longest fence in the world is known as The Dingo Fence, Dog Fence, Wild Dog Fence or Border Fence depending on which state you are in. The fence is approximately 5,614 kilometres long starting at Jimbour in Queensland and continuing on to the Great Australian Bight in South Australia.
6. World’s Longest Straight Section of Railway Track
The Trans-Australian Railway crosses the Nullarbor Plain of Australia from Port Augusta in South Australia to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. It includes the world’s longest stretch of dead-straight railway track, a 478 kilometre (297 mi) length between the 797 km post west of Ooldea and the 1275 km post west of Loongana.
See also; 10 Most Fascinating Big Things of Australia.
5. World’s Longest Straight Section of Road
The Western Australian section of the Eyre Highway lies entirely on the Nullarbor Plain is regarded as the longest straight stretch of road in the world, between Balladonia and Caiguna; the road stretches for 146.6 kilometres (91.1 mi) without turning.
See also; Planning a Trip to Australia: 10 Things you should know.
4. Language & Dialects in Australia
Over 200 different languages and dialects are spoken in Australia including 45 Indigenous languages. The most common non-English spoken languages are Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin.
3. Largest Cattle Station in The World
The largest cattle station in the world is Anna Creek Station in South Australia. Its area is roughly 6,000,000 acres (24,000 km2) which is slightly larger than Israel. It is 1,977,000 acres (8,000 km2) larger than its nearest rival, Alexandria Station in the country’s Northern Territory and eight times the size of the United States biggest ranch, King Ranch in Texas, which is 825,000 acres (3,340 km2).
2. Australian Economy
Economy is also one of the most amazing facts about Australia. Australia has had one of the most outstanding, the largest capitalist economies of the world in recent years with a GDP of US$1.57 trillion. It’s total wealth is 6.4 trillion dollars about 1.7% of the world economy. As a high-growth, low-inflation, low interest rate economy, it is more vibrant than ever before. There is an efficient government sector, a flexible labour market and a very competitive business sector.
1. Aboriginal Australians
The first inhabitants of Australia were the Aboriginal Australians, also referred to as Aboriginal people, are people whose ancestors were indigenous to the Australian continent—that is, to mainland Australia or to the island of Tasmania—before British colonization of the continent began in 1788. Aboriginals did not obtain the vote till 1967.