Was Australia the only country convicts were sent to?

No, Australia was not the only country convicts were sent to. Many countries have had convict transportation systems throughout history, including the British Empire, the French Empire, the Spanish Empire, and the Portuguese Empire.

In the British Empire, convicts were transported to various colonies, including Australia, Canada, the United States, the West Indies, and South Africa. The French Empire sent convicts to French Guiana, New Caledonia, and Réunion. The Spanish Empire sent convicts to the Philippines and Cuba. The Portuguese Empire sent convicts to Brazil and Angola.

The practice of convict transportation varied among different countries and time periods. In some cases, convicts were transported as a form of punishment, while in others they were sent to provide labour for colony development. The conditions of convict transportation could be harsh, and many convicts died during transportation or while serving their sentences.

The convict transportation system gradually declined in the 19th century, and it was eventually abolished in most countries. However, the legacy of convict transportation can still be seen in some countries, such as Australia, where many descendants of convicts still live today.