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The Great Southern Land -

Australia, often called the "Great Southern Land," is surrounded entirely by oceans. Yet, its sheer size and designation as a continent blur the lines, making it more than just an island, but an expansive and independent landmass.

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Defining an island -

An island is usually defined as a landmass smaller than a continent, surrounded by water. While Australia is encircled by oceans, its massive scale challenges this straightforward definition and creates a debate about its true classification.

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The world’s largest island -

Greenland is often compared to Australia when people try to distinguish islands versus continents, but the key difference lies in classification. While Greenland is the largest island on Earth, it is still part of the North American continental shelf.

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A stark contrast in population -

One of the most striking differences between Australia and Greenland is their populations. Australia is home to over 22 million people, ranking 55th in the world, while Greenland has a mere 57,000 residents, placing it at 205th. But population alone isn’t a deciding factor in continental classification—otherwise, Antarctica wouldn’t qualify as a continent either.

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A matter of size -

Australia, the world's sixth-largest country, sprawls across three million square miles (7.75 million square kilometers). Greenland, on the other hand, covers a smaller 834,000 square miles (2.16 million square kilometers), making it the 12th-largest country in the world. Despite being the largest island on Earth after Australia, it does not enjoy continental status. But why is that?

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Flexible rules -

Surprisingly, there are no strict, universally agreed-upon conditions that determine whether a landmass qualifies as a continent. This explains why different models exist. However, several widely accepted factors contribute to a region’s classification.

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Shifting puzzle pieces -

The earth beneath our feet is broken up into puzzle pieces called tectonic plates, which slowly move atop the semi-fluid mantle beneath. These plates constantly shift, collide, and separate, ultimately influencing Earth's geological evolution.

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The continent debate -

Australia's designation as a continent stems from its distinct geological features, including the fact that it rests on its own tectonic plate—the Australian Plate. This status surpasses that of an island, as it contains vast deserts, mountain ranges, and unique ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth.

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North America -

Unlike Australia, Greenland does not sit on its own tectonic plate. It rests on the North American Plate, linking it geologically to Canada, the United States, and Mexico, rather than existing as a separate continental entity.

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Counting continents -

The number of continents also isn’t as straightforward as one might think. Different models classify the world into anywhere from four to seven continents. But most English-speaking countries adhere to the seven-continent model, which includes Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

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The island-continent overlap -

Some call Australia the world's largest island and smallest continent simultaneously. This dual identity arises from its water-bound nature and continental characteristics, bridging two definitions and fueling discussions about how we label Earth's diverse landforms.

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Millions of years in the making -

Australia's journey to becoming a continent began over 85 million years ago when its tectonic plate separated from Antarctica. As part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, Australia drifted northward, gradually evolving into the distinct landmass it is today.

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Early European perspectives -

When Europeans first encountered Australia in the 17th century, they often referred to it as Terra Australis, or “Land of the South.” Over time, as its size and independence from other landmasses became evident, scholars began referring to it as a continent rather than just a large island.

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The modern confirmation -

Today, Australia is firmly classified as the smallest of the seven continents. While some alternative models consider it part of Oceania, most geographers and educational systems around the world recognize it as a distinct continent due to its size, geological independence, and unique ecosystem.

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Geographic isolation -

Australia’s isolation by oceans like the Pacific and Indian reinforces its "island-like" nature. However, its vast area, as well as distinct flora and fauna, aligns more with continental attributes, making it an outlier in global geography and geological discussions.

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A land of unique wildlife -

Australia is a biological marvel, home to flora and fauna that exist nowhere else on Earth. Its marsupial residents (such as kangaroos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils) make it a distinct ecological region, and help solidify its status as a continent.

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Wildlife compared -

Greenland, while home to certain native plants, does not possess an entirely unique ecosystem. Its animals—including reindeer, polar bears, and arctic foxes—can also be found in Canada and other Arctic regions, making its biodiversity less distinctive than that of Australia.

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A cultural identity like no other -

Australia’s Aboriginal culture has deep historical roots and is one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Although modern Australia aligns more with Western ideologies, its cultural uniqueness within the South Pacific region further supports its continental status.

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A matter of perspective -

Perhaps the most telling distinction is how Greenlanders and Australians perceive their land. Australians recognize their home as a continent, while Greenlanders overwhelmingly consider their territory an island. This local perspective plays a role in why these land masses differentiate between island or continent status.

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Political unity -

Australia’s politics is another reason why people around the world believe it to be a continent in its own right. As the only continent governed by a single nation, Australia’s political unity sets it apart from islands. It wields global influence through its status as a unified country-continent, far exceeding the political dynamics of smaller islands.

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Continental centers -

Australia’s urban centers, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, rival those of larger continents in terms of GDP and tourism. These cities boast similar infrastructure and population density as other continents, far beyond what is typically seen on islands.

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Geological timeframes -

Geologically, continents like Australia have ancient origins, with stable, old rock formations. Islands are often younger, formed by volcanic or coral activity. Australia’s ancient geology confirms its place as a continent with a long-standing Earthly presence.

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Ancient geological foundation -

Australia’s oldest regions consist of three massive chunks of rock called cratons: the North, South, and West Australian cratons. Meanwhile, its younger eastern section emerged over 500 million years as new rock formed along the edges of these older landmasses.

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Earth’s oldest treasure -

Australia is also home to the oldest known material of terrestrial origin—zircon crystals from the Jack Hills region in Western Australia. Dating back 4.4 billion years, these ancient minerals provide a rare glimpse into Earth’s early history, predating even the formation of continents.

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Adjacent islands - Australia is surrounded by smaller islands like Tasmania, which depend on its landmass for context. These nearby islands support Australia’s continental role as a hub, rather than being overshadowed as part of a larger island group.

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Climatic diversity -

Another factor that contributes to Australia’s status as a continent is its climatic diversity. Unlike islands that experience uniform climates, Australia experiences multiple climate zones, from temperate to tropical.

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Economic boundaries -

Australia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is vast, which further supports its status as a continent. Indeed, it has the third-largest zone in the world, behind France and the United States. Its economic zone is even bigger than that of Russia’s, the largest country in the world.

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The blurry lines of geography -

Continental classification is not an exact science. Europe and Asia, for example, share the Eurasian Tectonic Plate but are considered separate continents due to cultural and historical differences. Similarly, India has its own tectonic plate but is part of Asia.

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The enduring question -

Ultimately, whether Australia is an island or continent remains a philosophical question. While its size, geology, and influence make it a continent, its isolation and water-bound nature invite the label of “island.” In the end, perception and language will always allow it to be both.

Sources: (Britannica) (Live Science) (UC Santa Barbara) (Geoscience Australia)

See also: The world's most isolated islands and locations

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