This document provides information about Australia's physical geography in 3 paragraphs. [1] It notes that Australia is the 6th largest country by area, very flat and dry due to long geological stability and weathering. [2] It explains that Australia's location in the center of its tectonic plate and lack of orographic rainfall contribute to its dry climate. [3] It discusses how the prevailing winds and ocean currents further reduce rainfall, and how this physical geography profoundly impacts Australia's environments, populations, agriculture, and more.

1. Year 10 Geography
Investigating Australia’s Physical
Environments

2. Population of 22.8
million
Australia
6th largest country
on Earth by area.
Approximately 7682 million
square kilometres.

3. Australia is the Flattest and Driest
inhabited Continent on Earth

4. Why so Flat?

5. Australia has remained geologically
unchanged for a very long time (around 3
billion years)
Long exposure to weathering and erosion.
Topography flattened

6. Tectonic/Volcanic Factors
Australia is located in the middle of the
Australian Plate
Tectonic movements or uplift has not
created significant mountains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzt_EBD3DDQ

8. Why so dry?

9. Australia’s size and shape contribute
considerably to its dryness.

10. Topography
No significant landforms/mountains results
in limited Orographic rainfall.

11. Continentality
Generally, rainfall decreases as you move
away from large bodies of water
(i.e Oceans)
Rain bearing winds from the coast can’t
make it to the interior.

12. Prevailing Winds and Ocean
Currents
Prevailing winds come from the South
West.
These pass over cold ocean currents, which
do not allow for evaporation.
Low precipitation

14. What does all this mean?
The physical geography has a monumental
effect on the natural and human
environment. Provide some examples?
- The environments that exist
- Flora and fauna
- Inhabitability, distribution of people, location of
cities
- Land use and agriculture

15. It is all interconnected!