AustraliaDid you know?
- •Australia has a naturally bubblegum-pink lake (Lake Hillier) — its color comes from tiny salt-loving microbes that produce pink pigments as a sunscreen.
- •Over 80% of Australia's plants, mammals, and reptiles are found nowhere else on Earth.
- •The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 km and is the largest coral reef system on Earth.
Key Information
MapGuesser Tip
Australia is the only country that occupies an entire continent — its distinctive shape is unmistakable in Oceania.
Official Languages
Flag Colors
Flag History
Australia's flag was chosen from a design competition in 1901, receiving over 32,000 entries. It features three elements on a blue background: the Union Jack in the canton representing historical ties to Britain, the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star (Federation Star) below representing the six states and territories, and the Southern Cross constellation of five white stars on the fly. The Southern Cross has been used by Australian explorers and navigators since the early colonial period as it is only visible from the Southern Hemisphere. The current design was formally adopted in 1954 under the Flags Act. Debates about changing the flag to remove British symbols continue to this day.
Learn more on WikipediaNeighboring countries
Australia is an island nation with no land borders.
