Australia's Geography: States, Territories, and Diverse Landscapes

A Continent and a Country

Australia is the only nation that governs an entire continent. It includes the mainland, Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.

States and Internal Territories

• New South Wales (NSW) – Capital: Sydney
• Queensland (QLD) – Capital: Brisbane
• South Australia (SA) – Capital: Adelaide
• Tasmania (TAS) – Capital: Hobart
• Victoria (VIC) – Capital: Melbourne
• Western Australia (WA) – Capital: Perth
• Northern Territory (NT) – Capital: Darwin
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Capital: Canberra (national capital)

External Territories

• Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Indian Ocean)
• Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Subantarctic)
• Norfolk Island (Pacific Ocean)

Geographic Diversity

Australia spans coastal cities, vast arid outback (deserts), and tropical rainforests in the northeast.