How big is Australia's largest state? A comprehensive analysis of Western Australia

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutWhich continent is the largest in Australia?Now I will summarize the related issues, hoping to help those who want to know more.

Australia is the only country in the world that occupies an entire continent. Its administrative divisions consist of 6 states and 2 territories. Western Australia, with an area of 2.527 million square kilometers, occupies one-third of the country's territory, which is equivalent to the land area of 4 France or 7 Germany. This "giant" not only has stunning natural landscapes, but is also the core engine of Australia's resource economy.

1. The area code of Western Australia

Of Western Australia's 2.527 million square kilometres:
- 12,889 km of coastline (including islands)
- The straight-line distance from the easternmost point to the westernmost point is more than 2,400 kilometers
- Spanning 26 degrees of latitude from the Kimberley region in the north to Albany in the south
Its area is large enough to accommodate the three eastern states of Queensland (1.78 million km²), New South Wales (800,000 km²), and Victoria (230,000 km²) at the same time with still room to spare.

2. A treasure trove of resources in a vast land with a sparse population

Despite occupying 32.9% of Australia's land area, Western Australia is home to only 11% of Australia's population (about 2.8 million people), of which 78% is concentrated in the capital Perth. This special population distribution has created:
- The world's largest iron ore export base (Pilbara region)
- Gold production of Australia 90%
- Diamond reserves account for 45% of the world's total reserves
- Ranked second in the world in terms of liquefied natural gas exports

3. Breathtaking geographical wonders

Western Australia has seven UNESCO natural heritage sites:
1. Wave Rock: A 15-meter-high natural granite wave
2. Pinnacles Desert: Thousands of limestone columns
3. Ningaloo Reef: The world’s largest fringing reef ecosystem
4. Kimberley Canyon: A living textbook of 200 million years of geological evolution
The world's oldest living organism is also found here - the 4,300-year-old Bohemian pine tree.

4. Golden Choice for Immigration and Studying Abroad

The WA State Nominated Visa policy launched by the Western Australian government has significant advantages:
- The occupation list covers 192 in-demand positions such as mining engineers and medical care
- IELTS requirement can be reduced to a total score of 6 (no less than 5 in each subject)
- Graduates are given priority for approval
The capital Perth is home to renowned universities such as the University of Western Australia (globally ranked TOP100) and Curtin University. Its mining engineering graduates can earn a starting salary of AUD 85,000 per year.

Five questions about Western Australia answered

1. Is Western Australia’s climate habitable?

The southern part of Western Australia has a Mediterranean climate (dry summers and rainy winters). The average temperature in Perth is 24°C in January and 13°C in July. It has been listed in the top ten most livable cities in the world by The Economist for three consecutive years.

2. What is the local cost of living?

The cost of living in Perth is 18% lower than Sydney:
- Median apartment rent: $450 per week
- Public transport day pass: AUD 10
- Average price of milk in supermarkets: AUD 2.2/litre

3. Does mining affect the ecological environment?

Western Australia has implemented the world's most stringent mine reclamation system, requiring companies to pay a land restoration deposit equivalent to three times the development area before mining. It has successfully restored 68,000 hectares of mining areas.

4. What are the main local industries?

In addition to traditional mining, Western Australia is focusing on developing:
- Renewable energy (the Asian Renewable Energy Center under construction will become the world's largest green hydrogen project)
- Precision agriculture (using drones and satellite technology to manage farms)
- Marine biotechnology (medical research and development based on unique marine ecology)

5. What should I pay attention to when traveling?

Recommendations for self-driving tourists:
- Carry extra fuel (some sections have no gas stations every 400 km)
- Download the Emergency+ app
- Avoid the bushfire season from November to March

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandWestern Australia - Australia's largest stateThis western state full of wonders is not only the "largest" in geographical terms, but also a hotbed of development with unlimited opportunities. Whether you are planning to immigrate, study abroad, or do business or travel, Western Australia is worth putting on your Australian plan list. If you want to get more information about life in Australia, please continue to follow our updates! (The data in this article is as of December 2023)