Capital City: Canberra

Population: 22,507,617 (July 2014 est.)

Land Area: 7,682,300 sq km (includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island). World’s smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the only continent without glaciers; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating sea breeze known as the “Fremantle Doctor” affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world.

Dominant Religions: Protestant 28.8% (Anglican 17.1%, Uniting Church 5.0%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.8%, Baptist, 1.6%, Lutheran 1.2%, Pentecostal 1.1%), Catholic 25.3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.6%, other Christian 4.5%, Buddhist 2.5%, Muslim 2.2%, Hindu 1.3%, other 8.5%, unspecified 2.2%, none 22.3%

Land Boundaries: 0 km

Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Climate: Generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Terrain: Mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Exit Point: Darwin. Frances Bay Shipping Yards.

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