Australia

National Geographic welcomes you to Australia, the only country that's also a continent. Australia's landscape varies from endless sun-baked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary system of government.

Australia's population has quadrupled since WWI, with most Australians descended from immigrants, the majority from Great Britain and Ireland.

The indigenous population is also increasing, and perceived racial inequality is an ongoing political problem.

With a robust internationally competitive economy, long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.