Australia is the largest country in the world whose entire territory lies south of the Equator.
Australia covers about 7.69 million square kilometres, making it the world’s sixth-largest country. Its mainland and major islands are all in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Equator lies well north of the country in the maritime region of Southeast Asia.
Australia is also commonly described as both a country and a continent. Its interior is dominated by arid and semi-arid landscapes, while most people live in coastal cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Canberra is the national capital.
Other large countries south of the Equator include Argentina and South Africa, but both extend over less territory. Antarctica is larger, yet it is not a sovereign country. Australia’s combination of sovereign status, size, and wholly southern location gives it this geographic distinction.