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Is Australia a Country or a Continent?

Answer – Australia is both a continent and a country.

Explanation: 

Geographically, a country is defined as a distinct territorial entity with its own government and recognized boundaries, while a continent is a large continuous mass of land separated by geographical features like oceans. Australia qualifies as both a country and a continent due to its unique geographical and political characteristics.

Australia, the world’s smallest continent and the sixth-largest country by total area (2,968,402 Mi2), comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It boasts diverse landscapes and climates, including deserts, tropical rainforests, savannas, and mountain ranges. 

Australia is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and south, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea, and Coral Sea to the north. The majority of the country’s population resides on the mainland, where major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth are located. As an independent nation with its own government and recognized borders, Australia is officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia.

A map of Australia
Australia, the smallest continent and sixth-largest country, is known for its vast landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Image credit:Thomas Steiner / Wikimedia Commons (licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5)

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