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The Commonwealth of Australia is a country located
in the Southern Hemisphere consisting of the mainland
of the world's smallest continent and a number of islands
in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. The neighboring countries
of Australia are Indonesia, East Timor, Solomon Islands
and New Zealand. The name "Australia" is derived
from the Latin Australis, meaning of the South. Legends
of an "unknown land of the south" (Terra Australis
Incognita) dating back to Roman times were commonplace
in medieval geography, but they were not based on any
actual knowledge of the continent.
Australia is one of the most urbanized countries on
earth, with up to 85 percent of the population living
in cities. Yet Australia is also one of the most thinly
populated countries in the world. Australia's total
population amounts to around 20 million people, who
inhabit a country with a land area bigger than Europe
or comparable to the USA. Most metropolitan centers
and towns in Australia were constructed in the 19th
and 20th century so they look like North American rather
than European settlements, although they are exclusive
and have their own influences. The tendency towards
urbanization is also stronger in Australia than many
other parts of the world. Sydney is the most densely
inhabited city in Australia and is built on what many
call the most beautiful harbor in the world. Sydney's
main landmarks, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor
Bridge exemplify not only the city, but also Australia.
Australia's second biggest city is Melbourne which is
the most European looking of all Australian cities.
Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all have a population in
excess of 1 million people.
Worldtravel4indians.com provides information on Tours
to Australia Cities and different tours around Australia.
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