Exploring Countries: Australia

Australia's nickname is the "Land Down Under" because it lies below the equator in the southern half of the world. Australia is the only country that covers a whole continent. With an area of 2,988,902 square miles (7,741,220 square kilometers), it is the sixth-largest country in the world. Water surrounds Australia. The country sits between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Australia's nearest neighbors are New Zealand to the southeast, and Indonesia and Papua New Guines to the north. The nearby island of Tasmania is part of Australia. Canberra is Australia's capital city.