Australia
Isolated by oceans yet rich in ancient stories, Australia is a continent where marsupials hop through eucalyptus forests and coral cities bloom beneath the sea. It is home to the world’s oldest continuous cultures and some of its most extreme climates, from sunbaked deserts to temperate rainforests. Here, natural history meets human resilience. Whether decoding Dreamtime stories, tracking invasive species, or studying the Great Barrier Reef’s fragile ecosystems, Australia offers a rare lens into how nature and culture adapt, survive, and thrive in isolation.
Geographic Scope – ~7.7 million km², the smallest continent but the sixth-largest country, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Biomes & Climate Zones – Tropical rainforests in the north, arid deserts in the interior, temperate coasts in the south. (APES: biome distribution driven by latitude & rainfall patterns.)
Population & Density – ~26 million people, with over 85% living within 50 km of the coast. (AP Human Geo: coastal settlement patterns.)
Cultural Snapshot – A blend of Indigenous heritage (over 65,000 years of continuous culture) and immigrant influences from Europe and Asia.
Fun “Identity” Fact – Australia is the only continent that’s also a country—and home to more kangaroos than humans.
Student
Spotlights
Meet the next generation of global explorers. In this section, students share their journeys through videos and written stories, bringing real-world experiences to life with curiosity, insight, and creativity.
Explore
Field
Notes
Regions
Eastern Australia
"Queensland,etc."
Western Australia
Northern Australia
"The Top End"
Southern Australia
Central Australia
"The Outback"
Tasmania
