National Geographic Countries of the World: Australia

National Geographic welcomes you to Australia, the only country that's also a continent:

• Australia's landscape varies from endless sun-baked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches.
• The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary system of government.
• Australia's population has quadrupled since WWI, with most Australians descended from immigrants, the majority from Great Britain and Ireland.
• The indigenous population is also increasing, and perceived racial inequality is an ongoing political problem.
• With a robust internationally competitive economy, long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.