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Flag of AustraliaAustralia and New Zealand

Australia

Australia is a country or territory in Australia and New Zealand. Its capital is Canberra.

Population
27.2M3.5 /km²
Surface area
7,741,220 km²
GDP
$1.76T$65K per capita
Capital
Canberra

Australia is located in Australia and New Zealand, and its capital is Canberra. It has a population of approximately 27,196,812 and covers an area of about 7,741,220 km². Its official currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).

What stands out

People & place

3.5 /km² across 7,741,220 km²

Australia has a recorded population of 27,196,812 and a reported surface area of 7,741,220 km².

Economic snapshot

$1.76 trillion nominal GDP

Nominal GDP is recorded at $1.76 trillion and GDP per capita at $64,604 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.

Practical reference

Australian dollar (AUD)

Australia uses Australian dollar (AUD), calling code +61, internet domain .au.

About Australia

Australia, the world's largest island and smallest continent, dazzles visitors with its iconic wildlife, sun‑lit coastlines, and a blend of ancient Aboriginal heritage and modern urban vibrancy.

Dominated by the arid Outback, Australia also boasts the Great Barrier Reef— the planet's most extensive coral system—along, dramatic mountain ranges like the Great Dividing Range, and the fertile plains of the Murray–Darling basin.

From the timeless storytelling of Aboriginal Dreamtime to the laid‑back café culture of Melbourne, Australia merges diverse traditions; its cuisine celebrates fresh seafood, native bush foods such as kangaroo and wattleseed, and multicultural influences reflected in bustling food festivals across the nation.

A pivotal moment came in 1901 when the six British colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia, marking the birth of a nation that would later play a defining role in both World Wars and the global push for environmental conservation.

Key facts

  • Home to the world's oldest continuous living culture, with Aboriginal societies dating back at least 65,000 years.
  • Population of approximately 26 million people spread over 7.69 million square kilometers, making it the sixth‑largest country by land area.
  • Australia has the highest per‑capita consumption of sunscreen, reflecting its sunny climate and beach‑centric lifestyle.

This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.

Country data & reference

Capital

Canberra

Population

27,196,812 (3.5 /km²)

Surface Area

7,741,220 km²

GDP

$1.76 trillion (2024)

GDP per Capita

$64,604 (2024)

Native Name

Australia

Nationality

Australian

Phone Code

+61

Top-Level Domain

.au

ISO Codes

AU / AUS

Coordinates

-27, 133

Time zones

  • Antarctica/Macquarie (UTC+11:00)
  • Australia/Adelaide (UTC+10:30)
  • Australia/Brisbane (UTC+10:00)
More time zones (10)
  • Australia/Broken_Hill (UTC+10:30)
  • Australia/Currie (UTC+11:00)
  • Australia/Darwin (UTC+09:30)
  • Australia/Eucla (UTC+08:45)
  • Australia/Hobart (UTC+11:00)
  • Australia/Lindeman (UTC+10:00)
  • Australia/Lord_Howe (UTC+11:00)
  • Australia/Melbourne (UTC+11:00)
  • Australia/Perth (UTC+08:00)
  • Australia/Sydney (UTC+11:00)

Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.

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Australia: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Australia?

The capital of Australia is Canberra.

What is the population of Australia?

Australia has a recorded population of approximately 27,196,812 people.

How big is Australia?

Australia covers an area of about 7,741,220 km².

What is the population density of Australia?

Australia has a population density of roughly 3.5 /km² (people per square kilometre).

What is the GDP of Australia?

Australia has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.76 trillion as of 2024.

What is the GDP per capita of Australia?

Australia has a GDP per capita of approximately $64,604.

What currency is used in Australia?

Australia uses the Australian dollar (AUD), with the symbol $.

Where is Australia located?

Australia is located in Australia and New Zealand, Oceania.

What are people from Australia called?

People from Australia are referred to as Australian.

What is the phone calling code for Australia?

The international dialing code for Australia is +61.

What is the internet domain for Australia?

The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Australia is .au.

What time zone is Australia in?

Australia spans 13 time zones including Antarctica/Macquarie, Australia/Adelaide, Australia/Brisbane and 10 more.

What is Australia known for?

Australia, the world's largest island and smallest continent, dazzles visitors with its iconic wildlife, sun‑lit coastlines, and a blend of ancient Aboriginal heritage and modern urban vibrancy.