Australia is the largest island and the smallest continent on Earth. It stretches some 3700 km from its northern-most to its southern-most point, and about 4000 km from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Indian Ocean in the west. There are vast sandy deserts and tablelands in the west and the centre, sweeping plateaus and plains flanking narrow coastal slopes to the east. The coastal regions feature broad sandy beaches and lush vegetation. Overall, Australia is the second driest continent on Earth (after Antarctica) yet, surrounding the arid centre, there are large tracts of rainforest, temperate grasslands and bush.

Australia is a parliamentary democracy, with a popularly elected Federal (or Commonwealth) Government. Under this system, law-making powers are distributed between the federal government and the six States (the Territories - the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory are self-governing).

Each state, while sharing Australia's ethnic and scenic diversity, have their own lifestyles and unique attractions.

About each State in Australia
Click on a state for further information about that region:

Northern Territory (including Darwin)	New South Wales (including Sydney)
Queensland (including Brisbane)	Tasmania (including Hobart)
Victoria (including Melbourne)	Western Australia (including Perth)
South Australia (including Adelaide)	Aust. Capital Territory (including Canberra)

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Northern Territory (NT):
1.4 million sq.km of wild beauty that still carries the marks of an asteroid that cannoned into the land 300,000 years ago. Near the state capital Darwin is the 3.2 million acre World Heritage Kakadu National Park, famed for its unique bird life, rugged beauty and Aboriginal art.

Population 220,000
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: 19 to 33°C

Western Australia (WA):
A land of contrasts. From grasslands to countryside English settings, to coastlines with the scenic tranquillity of Pacific islands. It’s rich mineral resources drive the state’s economic growth, so evident in the prosperity and lifestyle of the capital city of Perth.

Population 2 million
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: 8 to 32°C

South Australia (SA):
Wide open spaces of beautiful scenery. The capital Adelaide is often called the “20-minute” city the maximum time to drive from home to work. 4000 km of coastline with plenty of sunshine, and the famed vineyards of Barossa Valley create a Mediterranean charm.

Population 1.6 million
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: is 20 to 28°C

Victoria (VIC):
Victoria has its share of splendid cities set amidst natural beauty. It is a melting pot of cultural diversity, with as many as 175 languages spoken. The garden city of Melbourne boasts the headquarters of some of Australia’s largest companies.

Population 5 million
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: 5 to 27°C

Tasmania (TAS):
A living museum of ancient Aboriginal art and early European settlements. Famed for the sprawling Wilderness World Heritage Area where the location of a cave of rare rock art is still a secret! Hobart is the least-populated capital, of a mere 200,000 people.

Population 500,000
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: is 4 to 22°C

Australian Capital Territory (ACT):
Designed by the American architect Walter Burley Griffin, the Australian capital of Canberra is a city of circles and rectangles, wide streets and boulevards. Set amidst snowy mountains and native bush, it is a veritable showcase of architectural styles, from the 1800s to the present.

Population 322,000
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: is O to 27°C.

New South Wales (NSW):
A state of breathtaking beaches and coastline, with Sydney playing host to the spectacular 2000 Olympic Games. Famous landmarks include the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Bondi beach. Half the population of the state lives in Sydney.

Population 6.8 million
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: 7 to 26°C

Queensland (QLD):
The Sunshine State of surf and fun. Boasts one of the most famous natural wonders of the world – the Great Barrier Reef. For the adventurous, there is no better place for fishing, diving and snorkelling. The capital Brisbane is a bubbling cauldron of cultures.

Population 4 million
Climate Average temperatures winter to summer: 10 to 29°C