Australia VS Antarctica: Little-known facts hidden behind the area comparison!

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralia and Antarctica area comparisonNow I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to those who want to know more.

When we talk about land area, many people misunderstand the size of Australia and Antarctica. In fact, Antarctica is the fifth largest continent in the world with an area of about 14.2 million square kilometers, while the Australian continent is only 7.69 million square kilometers, which is nearly twice as large. But behind this "land hegemony competition", there are still many geographical mysteries worth exploring.

1. Data decryption: How big is Antarctica?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Antarctica has a total area of 14,200,000 square kilometres, equivalent to:
- 1.8 China (9.6 million square kilometers)
- 2 Brazils (8.51 million square kilometers)
- 3.5 Indias (3.28 million square kilometers)

Its coastline is 17,968 km long, its ice sheet has an average thickness of 1.6 km, and stores 70% of the Earth's fresh water resources. In comparison, Australia's 7.69 million square kilometers, although the sixth largest country in the world, only accounts for 54% of Antarctica's area.

2. In-depth comparison of geographical characteristics

1. Comparison of climate extremes

The lowest temperature recorded in Antarctica is -89.2℃, and the average annual precipitation is only 166mm (inland areas). Australia has a variety of climate types, including tropical rainforests (Queensland) and temperate marine climates (Tasmania). The average annual temperature in Sydney, the most livable city, is 18℃.

2. Differences in biodiversity

Australia has:
- 378 mammal species (87% of which are unique species)
- 828 bird species (45% are endemic)
- Over 24,000 plant species

Antarctica has only:
- 67 species of mosses
- About 350 species of lichens
- Polar animals such as penguins and seals

3. Feasibility Analysis of Human Activities

Australia:
- Population density: 3 people/km²
- Habitable area ratio: about 65%
- Agricultural land share: 53%

Antarctica:
- Permanent population: about 5,000 in summer (scientific researchers)
- Zero permanent residents
- 82% area is covered by permanent ice sheet

4. Why is area not the only criterion?

From the perspective of human development, Australia's advantages are:
1. Economic value: GDP reaches 1.7 trillion US dollars in 2023
2. Educational resources: All eight prestigious universities are ranked in the top 120 in the world by QS
3. Immigration advantage: Absorbing about 200,000 new immigrants every year
4. Livability Index: 4 cities ranked among the top 10 most livable cities in the world

According to the Antarctic Treaty, Antarctica can only be used for peaceful scientific research purposes, and any military/resource development activities are prohibited.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does Antarctica belong to any country?

According to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, Antarctica does not fall within the sovereignty of any country, and there are currently 54 contracting parties involved in scientific research cooperation.

Q2: Does Australia have any territorial claims in Antarctica?

Australia claims 42% of territory in Antarctica (approximately 6 million square kilometers), but this claim is generally frozen by the international community.

Q3: Can ordinary people travel to Antarctica?

Every year, about 50,000 tourists visit the Antarctic Peninsula by cruise, but they must comply with strict environmental regulations and the cost of a single trip is about RMB 50,000 to 200,000.

In summary, although Antarctica has an absolute advantage in terms of area, Australia is more valuable as a livable continent. It is not only the third largest study abroad destination in the world, but has also been selected as one of the top ten happiest countries in the world for ten consecutive years. For friends who are considering immigration or studying abroad, there are endless opportunities in the 7.69 million square kilometers of land.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandGeographical differences between Australia and AntarcticaIf you have any questions about life in Australia, studying abroad or immigration, please feel free to leave a message at any time!