Officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, Australia is one of the largest countries in the world as is often referred to as being “the Land Down Under.” It spans approximately 2.9 million square miles and has a rich history that dates back several thousands of years.
Here are five fascinating facts about Australia!
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- Australia is the only country that covers an entire continent. (source) It’s not only one of the largest countries across the entire globe, but it’s the only country in the world that encompasses a full continent. More than one-third of Australia is desert, but a large majority of it is considered to have a lot of fertile land, making it very rich in natural resources.
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- Australia is the most sexual country in the world. (source) In a recent study that considered factors like when people lost their virginity, the average number of sexual partners one has had, STD rates, and more, it was determined that Australia is the most promiscuous country in the world, just ahead of the other countries that make up the top five – Brazil, Greece, Chile, and New Zealand.
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- In Australia, 80% of the animals are unique to the country. (source) Australia is home to some of the most fascinating animals in the entire world, spanning from adorable marsupials to some of the most exotic birds one could ever see. From zoos and parks to just being out in the wild, there are some extremely unique animals in Australia like kangaroos, koalas, wombats, echidnas, and dingos.
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- Australia is divided into six states and two self-governing territories. (source) The two-self governing territories of Australia are known as the Australia Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, while the six states that the country is divided into are Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Southern Australia.
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- It’s estimated that there are more than 40 million Kangaroos throughout Australia. (source) While Kangaroos may seem universally loved and are undoubtedly synonymous with the country, they’re also considered to be a major pest in some areas of Australia and are sometimes culled. In Australia, it’s illegal to buy, sell, possess or kill a Kangaroo, although the country’s government does allow license holders to slaughter Kangaroos.
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the entire world, and has so much uniqueness about it! If you have any more fascinating and fun facts to share about Australia, be sure to share them with us in the comments below.
