Australia is the world's largest country located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
The country lies south of the Equator and covers about 7.7 million square kilometres. It includes the mainland, Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. Because it is both a country and a continental landmass, Australia is often called an island continent.
Brazil is larger in total area but crosses the Equator, so it is not wholly in the Southern Hemisphere. Antarctica is also entirely south of the Equator, but it is not a sovereign country. These distinctions explain why Australia is the largest country fitting this exact description.
Australia's interior contains vast arid and semi-arid areas, while most of its population lives near the southeastern, eastern, and southwestern coasts. Its isolation has also produced distinctive wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and monotremes.