Australia is a country and continent located in the southern hemisphere, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area, and the only country to occupy an entire continent. Australia has a population of around 25 million people, with the majority living in cities along the eastern and southeastern coasts.
The country has a diverse landscape, ranging from tropical rainforests and vast deserts to snow-capped mountains and sandy beaches. Australia is known for its unique wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and the iconic Tasmanian devil.
The official language of Australia is English, and the country's currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). The economy is diverse, with sectors including mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
Australia has a rich Indigenous history, with Indigenous Australians having lived on the continent for over 60,000 years. The British arrived in 1770 and claimed the land as a British colony in 1788. Since then, Australia has become a multicultural country, with a significant population of people of British, Irish, Chinese, and Italian descent, among others.
The country is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own capital city. The largest city and capital is Sydney, located in the state of New South Wales. Other major cities include Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
The local time in Australia varies by state and territory, with several different time zones in use. The largest airport in Australia is Sydney Airport, which is located in the suburb of Mascot, about 8 km south of the city center. The flight time from the UK to Australia is around 22-24 hours, depending on the airline and route taken.