801,640 sq km (309,417 sq miles).

6.7 million (official estimate 2003).

8 per sq km.

Sydney. Population: 4.3 million (estimate 2003).

The landscape ranges from the subtropical north to the Snowy Mountains in the south, which contain Australia’s highest point, Mount Kosciuszko. There are over 1300km (800 miles) of coastline with golden beaches and picturesque waterways and rivers, including the 1900km- (1200 mile-) Murray River.