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Capital: Canberra
Official language: English
Area: 7,741,220 km˛, 2,988,888 sq mi
Population: 21,152,000

History: The Commonwealth of Australia is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and a number of other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The neighbouring countries are Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia to the north-east, and New Zealand to the south-east.
The Australian mainland has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and by Dutch explorers and merchants starting in the 17th century,the eastern half of Australia was claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation as part of the colony of New South Wales, commencing on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas were explored, another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established during the 19th century.
On 1 January 1901, the six colonies became a federation, and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and remains a Commonwealth realm. Australia is also a multicultural country. The capital city is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The population is 21 million, and is concentrated in the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

The pictures are beautiful! Let´s take a look!



Port Arthur, Tasmania was Australia's largest gaol for transported convicts.



Parliament House in Canberra was opened in 1988 replacing the provisional Parliament House building opened in 1927.



Hervey Bay is located 293 km (182 mi) from Brisbane.

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The Super Pit in Kalgoorlie, Australia's largest open cut gold mine.



Most Australians live in urban areas. Sydney is the most populous city in the country.



Fewer than 15% of Australians live in rural areas. This picture shows the Barossa Valley wine producing region of South Australia.



The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne was the first building in Australia to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.