India is a vast country. Lying entirely in the Northern hemisphere (Figure 1.1) the main land extends between latitudes 8°4’N and 37°6’N and longitudes 68°7’E and 97°25’E.

There are 14 independent countries and 12 dependent overseas territories. The largest sovereign state is Australia, occupying about 86% of the region’s total area.

The name Australia (pronounced /əˈstreɪliə/ in Australian English) is derived from the Latin australis, meaning “southern”, and specifically from the hypothetical Terra Australis postulated in pre-modern geography.

Oceania

By most standards, there is a maximum of seven continents – Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America. Many geographers and scientists now refer to six continents, in which Europe and Asia are combined (because they’re one solid landmass).

Of the seven continents, Australia is the smallest, at 2,969,976 square miles, or 7,692,202 square kilometers. However, if considered an island, it is the largest in the world.

Elizabeth II

The Queen, which we call ‘The Crown’, owns about one sixth of the planet’s surface, and is the largest legal land owner in the World. The Queen continues to legally own all the lands of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, 32 other members (around two-thirds) of the Commonwealth, and Antarctica.

Australia governs itself through its prime minister and its Governor General, but the Queen of Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth the 2nd, is still the monarch of Australia, though she doesn’t directly rule it. Yes, the Australian government is a constitutional monarchy, which is why the queen has power there.

Queen Elizabeth IISince 1952

Nope. Australia the nation will pay any duties due on exports to the UK, but this revenue belongs to the Government in Parliament and not the Queen.