Australia is the smallest of the Earth's six continents, and is sometimes known as the largest Island.  The unique thing about the Australian continent is that it is entirely a single country, and we have no international borders within the land mass.  Despite its large size, Australia only has five  States and two territories on the mainland.  The sixth State (Tasmania) is a totally separate island off the Southern coast of South Eastern Australia.  For more information about each State and Territory see the section on Australian States.

Australia is the lowest, flattest and driest of all the continents, (apart from Antarctica) and the land formations is generally measured in millions of years.  There are a number of mountain ranges, the greatest of which is The Great Dividing Range, which runs basically North/South from the top of Australia's Eastern coast in Queensland, to the bottom of Victoria.   There is a small lower level area between the ranges and the Pacific Ocean, but in some places, the mountains reach totally up to the sea.  The Great Dividing Range also contains Australia's only snowfields, which are known as the Australian Alps, and they are becoming more popular and world known all the time.  Australia's highest mountain is also located within this area, although Mount Kosciuszko is really only relatively small on a world scale, reaching a height of only 2,228 metres, (7,310 feet).  There are a number of other mountain ranges, some of which are The Flinders Ranges (South Australia), The Darling Ranges (Western Australia), The Stirling Ranges (Western Australia), Hammersley Ranges (Western Australia), MacDonnell Ranges (Central Australia).  Despite the existence of these ranges, most of Australia is flat, although there are some mountains. Probably the best known feature of land in Australia would be Uluru, (formerly Ayers Rock), which is the world's largest Monolith.  Uluru is also very sacred to the original inhabitants.  Amongst these ranges are areas known as The Western Plateau, and in some areas, they have been given individual names such as Arnhem Land, Kimberleys etc.  Much of central Australia is desert and the Nullabor Plain is actually an old sea bed. (For more on the Nullabor Plain see Australian towns section)

The land area of Australia is 7,706,168 square kilometres, (2,975,355 square miles).  The distance from the most Northerly point (Cape York) and the most Southerly point on the mainland (South Point)  is about 3,180 kilometres, (1,976 miles), while the distance from Cape York to the most Southerly point of Tasmania (South East Cape) is about 3,680 kilometres, (2,287 miles).  The distance from the Western Most point (Steep Point) to the Eastern most point (Cape Byron) is about 4,000 kilometres, (2,486 miles).

The area of Australia is almost as great as the United States Of America, (Excluding Hawaii and Alaska) and about twice that of Europe.  Despite this Australia still only has a population of approximately twenty million people.

The climate of Australia varies, from a very tropical climate in the North, to a colder climate in the South.  The Southern part of Australia has four distinct seasons, while in the Northern tropical areas, it is generally referred to as the "Wet Season" or the "Dry Season".  The "Wet Season" falls during the summer months of December, January and February.  During these months, it is not uncommon for cyclones (similar to typhoons or hurricanes in other parts of the world) to hit the Northern parts of Australia and sometimes create much damage.  Probably the most damage recorded by a cyclone of recent times was "Cyclone Tracey" which crossed the coast and hit the Northern Territory capital city of Darwin on Christmas Day 1974, totally destroying the city.  Cyclone "Larry", which crossed the coast near Innisfail, Far North Queensland in early 2006 also caused a great amount of damage. Australia has suffered many natural disasters over the years, but the resilience of the Australian people to overcome adversity has always stood out.

Australia is a democratic nation, and the various Federal and State Governments face elections on a regular basis.  With all the Federal, State and Local Government officials that are elected, Australia on a ratio of politicians per head of population would most likely be the most overly governed nation on Earth.

Australians are unique, and they are proud.  Those of us who call Australia home do so with a great deal of pride for everything that Australia stands for.  Australians have always stood on the side of what is right, and it is hoped that attitude will never change.

Because of Australia's small population, we will never be one of the greats on the world stage, but as we move into the twenty first century, Australians will be more and more recognised for the part they play in keeping this world free.  As a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, it is probably in that arena that Australia can best make its mark on world affairs.  Australians are also fortunate in calling the United States of America close allies and friends.