Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe , but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometer

The kangaroo is unique to Australia and one of our most easily recognised mammals. There are more kangaroos in Australia now than when Australia was first settled. Estimates suggest around 40 million.

Australia 's 101 million sheep (mostly merinos), found on around 53,000 properties, produce more than 70 per cent of the world's wool.

With 27 million head of cattle, Australia is the world's largest exporter of beef.

Australia supports at least 25,000 species of plants, while Europe only supports 17,500.

For more than 50,000 thousand years, Australia 's Aboriginal people have lived and thrived in Australia 's unique and challenging natural environment. Australia 's rich vegetation and native wildlife helped them establish their presence on the land. Today it is believed the Aboriginals are the world's oldest civilization.

Australia is made up of six states and two territories. Each state and territory has its own parliament, flag and floral emblem. Australia became a federated nation after the union of the six colonies on 1 January 1901 . Bound by one parliament, one constitution and one flag, Australia celebrated its Centenary of Federation in 2001.

Dramatic canyons, sheer valleys, thundering waterfalls and gum forests all make up Australia 's most recent World Heritage area - the Blue Mountains National Park . Also part of this latest listing is nearby Wollemi National Park - the home of the prehistoric Wollemi Pine.