Australia is a country and continent surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide – are coastal, but its capital, Canberra, is inland. The country's landscape ranges from vast deserts, like the Great Victoria Desert, to lush tropical rainforests, and it's home to a diverse range of wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.
The history of Australia begins with the arrival of humans around 50,000 years ago. Indigenous Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders developed rich cultural traditions over millennia. European exploration began in the 17th century when Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon landed on the western side of Cape York Peninsula in 1606. However, it was James Cook's mapping of the east coast in 1770 that led to British settlement.
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by total area. It is characterized by its arid interior, known as the Outback, and a more temperate and fertile coastal region. Notable geographical features include:
Australian culture has a strong foundation in British traditions but has evolved to include diverse influences from its Indigenous peoples, as well as from waves of immigration. Key cultural elements include:
Australia has a mixed market economy with a significant service sector, followed by the mining industry, which includes iron ore, coal, and gold. It ranks highly in terms of GDP per capita, human development, and quality of life. Key economic aspects include: