Population of Oceania – Australia as of 2024

Population of Oceania – Australia as of 2024. There is a country called Australia, and it is the largest country in the continent of Australia. To distinguish between the country and the continent, some have suggested calling the continent Meganesia (“great continent”) or “Australinea.” Out of the seven continents, Australia is the smallest. It includes the countries of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, as well as some portions of the Indonesian archipelago (known as West Papua).

Australia is a continent of extremes, culturally and geographically. The Great Barrier Reef contrasts with the famous Outback and the uncontacted people groups of West Papua and Papua New Guinea lie in contrast with the heavily-Westernized culture of the country of Australia.

The country of Australia was initially inhabited by indigenous people groups that are collectively referred to as “aborigines.” The United Kingdom colonized Australia, mainly as a penal colony, meaning that it served as a giant prison because the jails in London were full. Sadly, many of the original aborigine groups are now entirely extinct, and their languages and traditions are lost forever. Today, Australia has its own parliament and constitution, but the head of its government is the British monarch, who currently is King Charles III.

Modern Australia has some of the most diverse, multicultural cities in the world, such as Sydney and Melbourne, because of the strong European influence on an indigenous, oceanic population. As many as 250 languages are expressed in Sydney, and 60% of the population is not native English speakers. Against a backdrop of such diversity and Western influence, the aboriginal peoples of Australia must fight for their rights. They are banned from the sacred site of Ayers Rock, which, ironically, is routinely visited by tourists.