AUSTRALIA

Political Geography
• Australia is both a continent and a
country,
• It is situated in the Southern
Hemisphere
• is the world’s sixth-largest country
by total area.
• Politically, Australia is a federation
of states and territories, governed
as a constitutional monarchy.
Federal Structure:
• Australia has a federal system of
government
powers are shared between the
Commonwealth (federal)
government and six states.
Federal Structure:
• The six states are:
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Victoria (VIC)
• Queensland (QLD)
• South Australia (SA)
• Western Australia (WA)
• Tasmania (TAS)
• Additionally, there are two self-
governing territories:
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• Northern Territory (NT)
States:
• New South Wales (NSW) - Capital:
Sydney
• Most populous state and economic
hub.
• Known for the iconic Sydney Opera
House and Harbour Bridge.
• Victoria (VIC) - Capital: Melbourne
• Second most populous state.
• Cultural and sports capital of
Australia.
States:
• Queensland (QLD) - Capital: Brisbane
• Known for the Great Barrier Reef and tropical
climate.
• South Australia (SA) - Capital: Adelaide
• Known for its wine regions and arid interior.
• Western Australia (WA) - Capital: Perth
• Largest state by area.
• Rich in natural resources, especially mining.
• Tasmania (TAS) - Capital: Hobart
• Island state known for wilderness and
national parks.
Territories:
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) -
Capital: Canberra
• Political center, hosting the
Parliament House.
• Northern Territory (NT) - Capital:
Darwin
• Sparsely populated, known for natural
wonders like Uluru.
Capital Cities:
• Canberra is the national capital,
located in the ACT.
• It serves as the political heart,
housing the Federal Parliament,
High Court, and key government
offices.
• Other major capital cities include
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and
Darwin.
 POPULATION:
• Australia has a population of
around 26 million (as of 2025).
• It is one of the most urbanized
countries globally,
about 86% of people living in urban
areas.
• The population density is
approximately 3.3 people per
square kilometer,
one of the least densely populated
countries.
 Highly Concentrated
Population:
• Most Australians live along the
southeast and eastern coasts.
• The largest cities are:
• Sydney (NSW) - Approx. 5.3 million
• Melbourne (VIC) - Approx. 5 million
• Brisbane (QLD) - Approx. 2.6 million
• Perth (WA) - Approx. 2.1 million
• Adelaide (SA) - Approx. 1.4 million
• These cities are major economic
and cultural hubs.
 Physical Divisions

• Eastern Highland
• The Western Plateau
• Desert
• The Central Lowland
• The Great Barrier Reef
 Eastern Highland

• This is a chain of hills and

mountains which interrupts the
leveled landform of Australia.
• These are also known as the Great
Dividing Range.
 Desert

• Gibson Desert –
a central Australian desert
• Great Sandy Desert –
a northwestern Australian desert
 Desert

• Great Victoria Desert –

the sixth-largest desert in the world
by area, located in south-central
Australia.
• Simpson Desert –
a central Australian desert
 Desert

• Little Sandy Desert –

a western Australian desert
• Strzelecki Desert –
a south-central Australian desert
• Tanami Desert –
a northern Australian desert
 Desert

• Western Desert –
a desert located in western Australia,
comprising the Gibson, Great Sandy,
and Little Sandy deserts.
• Rangipo Desert –
a barren light altitude desert on the
North Island Volcanic Plateau in New
Zealand.
The Great Barrier Reef

• This is the largest coral reef in the

world.
• It lies along the east coast of
Queensland, Australia, in the Pacific
Ocean.
 The Great Barrier Reef

• It is about 2,000 kilometers long, in

some places, it is as close as 16
kilometers to the coast while in
other places it is 200 kilometers
away.
• It is one of the natural wonders of
the world.
• It is formed by the tiny coral polyps.
The Islands of Australia
& Oceania
• The islands situated surrounding
the younger most continent in size
are collectively known as Oceania.
• Broadly it has been divided into
three major island groups
Melanesia,
Micronesia,
Polynesia.
Melanesia

• Melanesia is otherwise known as

Black Islands and congregated around
north and east of Australia.
Some of the major islands are
East Timor,
Fiji,
New Caledonia,
Papua New Guinea,
Solomon Islands,
and Vanuatu.
Micronesia

• Micronesia which is also called as

Little Islands
is the agglomeration of islands such
as
Guam,
Kiribati,
Marshall Islands,
Federated States of Micronesia,
Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands,
Palau, and Wake Island.
 Polynesia
• Polynesia is otherwise known as Many Lands
expand from islands of Midway in the north to
New Zealand in the south
include the series of islands such as
the American Samoa Cook Islands, French
Polynesia,
Niue,
Pitcairn,
Tokelau,
Tonga,
Tuvalu,
Wallis and Futuna Islands.
 The Islands of Australia
& Oceania
• The islands of Oceania have been formed
due to the differential activities of
volcanoes.
• The low islands of Micronesia have been
formed by building up coral reefs on the
rim of the volcanic islands,
hence giving it a shape of a Ring which is
known as Atolls.
The atolls further encircle the lagoons
which are characterized by shallow pools of
clear water at a very low altitude of just a
few feet above sea level.
 Drainage System

• Australia has low average rainfall.

• Being a hot dry country the rate of
evaporation is high.
• So there is very little water left to
flow like a river to the sea.
Drainage System

• As a result of this, the total

Australian continent is mainly
drained by two of the largest
drainage basins
• Murray and Darling
• and an inland lake is also found
which is known as Lake Eyre Basin.
• accounts for an area for over 1
million square kilometers.
River Murray

• River Murray starts from

the Snowy Mountains of the Great
Dividing Range.
• Its tributaries are the
Darling,
Murrumbidgee,
Lachlan.
Drainage System

• Many dams have been built across

these to provide for irrigation and
power generation.
• River Swan near Perth is also
utilized in the same way.
Seasonal change in the
Temperate Zones
• Summer: December to February
• Autumn: March to May
• Winter: June to August
• Spring: September to November
Natural Vegetation
 Downs

• (Temperate Grassland of
Australia):
• Located in the Murray-Darling
basins of the South-Eastern part.
• Primarily used for pastoral
activities.
• Suitable for profitable cultivation.
Downs

• Mitchell grasses are the main

vegetation, growing on:
• Cracking clay soils
• Basaltic soils
• Skeletal soils
• Similar grassland: Canterbury
Grassland in New Zealand.
2. Tropical Rainforest
Regions:
• Characterized by dense forests.
• Vegetation includes coconut palms
and mangroves (near shorelines).
• Climate:
High temperatures throughout the
year with very little rainfall.
 3. Deciduous Forest
Region:
• Rich in plant life, including:
• Tall and short trees
• Shrubs, small plants, and mosses
• Four distinct seasons:
• Warm summers
• Cold, wet winters
• Leaves shed in autumn
4. Savanna:

• Climate:
Very high temperatures throughout
the year.
• Rainfall:
Only during the summer season.
5. Dry Desert and
Desert Scrub Region:
• Dominant vegetation: Eucalyptus
and drought-resistant plants (like
cacti).
• Climate:
• Warm to high temperatures with very
little rainfall.
• Hot summers and cold winters.
• Above-average rainfall during
winters.
 6. Climatic Variations in
Australia:
• Climate varies due to the large size of
the continent.
• Temperature range:
• Below zero in Snowy Mountains
(Southern Australia).
• Extreme heat in Kimberley region
(North-West).
• Climatic Zones:
• Temperate Zone: Four seasons - Summer,
Autumn, Winter, Spring.
• Desert and Grassland Zones: Similar four
seasons.
• Tropical North: Wet and dry seasons
(Equatorial, Tropical, Sub-tropical zones).
Location:

• Located in the Southwest Pacific.

• Comprises two main islands:
• North Island
• South Island
• Additional islands: Stewart Island
and many smaller offshore islands.
North Island:

• Characterized by a 'spine' of
mountain ranges running through
the center.
• Flanked by gentle rolling farmland
on both sides.
• The Central North Island features
the Volcanic Plateau, an area of:
• Active volcanism
• Thermal activity
South Island:

• Dominated by the Southern Alps,

forming the island's backbone.
• East of the Alps:
• Rolling farmlands of Otago and
Southland
• Canterbury Plains - vast and flat
agricultural areas.
 Tectonic Setting:

• Located at the junction of two

tectonic plates:
• Pacific Plate
• Australian Plate
• North Island and parts of South Island
sit on the Australian Plate.
• Remaining South Island lies on the
Pacific Plate.
• Plate movements cause significant
geological activity (earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions).
 Southern Alps

• The mountains of the South Island,

includes the country’s highest peak,
Mount Cook (3,764 m).
 Mount Egmont

• An extinct volcano in south-west of

North Island.
• Situated to the north of central
volcanic plateau of North Island.
 Wellington

• Situated on the southern tip of the

North Island.
• Country’s capital and also the
southernmost capital city of the
world.
• An important sea port on the Cook
Strait.
• Cattle rearing and dairy is the main
economic activity around this city.
 Auckland

• Biggest city of the country and also

the largst port on the coast of North
Island.
 Christchurch

• Major industrial centre of the South

Island.
 Taranaki Plain of New
Zealand
• Volcanic plain
• Volcanic peak – Mt. Taranaki
• More than 50% of the region has rich
pastureland
• sheep and cattle rearing for Dairying,
meat imp activities
 Canterbury Plain of New
Zealand
• The most extensive plains, an
example of Piedmont Alluvial plain
crossed by rivers cover 12,500 km of
the South Island’s east coast.
• The chief farming region in New
Zealand.
• Pastoral farming
• Predominantly sheep farming for lamb-
wool
• then cattle rearing for meat then
dairying
Question:
• 1. Which of the following statements about the Downs grassland
region in Australia is correct?
• A) It is located in the central desert region of Australia.
B) It is primarily used for horticulture.
C) It is found in the Murray-Darling basins of the southeastern part.
D) It is characterized by tropical rainforest vegetation.
• Answer: C) It is found in the Murray-Darling basins of the
southeastern part.
Question:
• Which of the following correctly describes the climate of the tropical
rainforest regions in Australia?
• A) Low temperatures throughout the year with heavy snowfall.
B) High temperatures throughout the year with very little rainfall.
C) Mild temperatures with consistent moderate rainfall.
D) Cold winters and hot summers with periodic droughts.
• Answer: B) High temperatures throughout the year with very little
rainfall.
Question:
• Which of the following correctly describes the climate of the tropical
rainforest regions in Australia?
• A) Low temperatures throughout the year with heavy snowfall.
B) High temperatures throughout the year with very little rainfall.
C) Mild temperatures with consistent moderate rainfall.
D) Cold winters and hot summers with periodic droughts.
• Answer: B) High temperatures throughout the year with very little
rainfall.
Question:
• . Which of the following pairs of geographical features and locations
is correctly matched?
• A) Canterbury Grassland - Australia
B) Southern Alps - South Island, New Zealand
C) Mitchell Grasslands - North Island, New Zealand
D) Great Dividing Range - Western Australia
• Answer: B) Southern Alps - South Island, New Zealand
Question:
• Which of the following is NOT a feature of Australia’s desert and
desert scrub region?
• A) Presence of eucalyptus and drought-resistant plants
B) Warm to high temperatures with little rainfall
C) Dense coconut palm vegetation
D) Hot summers and cold winters with occasional rainfall
• Answer: C) Dense coconut palm vegetation
Question:
• Which of the following statements is correct regarding the tectonic
setting of New Zealand?
• A) Entire New Zealand lies on the Pacific Plate.
B) The North Island sits entirely on the Pacific Plate.
C) The North Island and parts of the South Island lie on the Australian
Plate.
D) Both islands are exclusively on the Australian Plate.
• Answer: C) The North Island and parts of the South Island lie on the
Australian Plate.
Question:
• The temperate grasslands of Australia, known as the Downs, are
primarily used for which of the following activities?
• A) Mining activities
B) Pastoral farming
C) Horticultural plantations
D) Urban settlements
• Answer: B) Pastoral farming
Question:
• The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, is
located off the coast of which Australian state?
• A) Victoria
B) Queensland
C) Western Australia
D) New South Wales
• Answer: B) Queensland
Question:
• Which climatic zones experience wet and dry seasons instead of
four distinct seasons in Australia?
• A) Temperate zones
B) Desert and grassland zones
C) Tropical north, including equatorial, tropical, and sub-tropical zones
D) Southern alpine regions
• Answer: C) Tropical north, including equatorial, tropical, and sub-
tropical zones
Question:
• Which of the following physical features forms the backbone of the
South Island of New Zealand?
• A) The Great Dividing Range
B) Southern Alps
C) Canterbury Plains
D) Volcanic Plateau
• Answer: B) Southern Alps
Question:
• The North Island of New Zealand is characterized by which
prominent geographical feature?
• A) Snow-capped mountains throughout the year
B) A central volcanic plateau with thermal activity
C) Extensive flat plains with desert vegetation
D) Dense rainforests covering the entire island
• Answer: B) A central volcanic plateau with thermal activity