Australia, aws-tra'le-a (Fr. Australie, Östra'lee'; Ger. Australien, Öws-tra'le-en), (i.e., "southern" region), formerly New Holland, the largest island in the world, but often, on account of its vast extent, regarded as a continent, is situated within 10° 47' and 39°11' S. lat., and 113° and 153° 30' E. lon.; having the Pacific on the E. and S., the Indian Ocean on the W., and the Arafoora Sea on the N. It is 2500 miles in length from E. to W., and measures 1950 miles from N. to S...
Climate.—The absence of high interior mountains causes a marked deficiency in the rainfall of Australia, except along the eastern border. Consequently there are great areas of desert land, especially southwestward; and many well-settled regions are exposed to hot winds from the interior, which come laden with dust and discomfort, but are not prejudicial to health. In the N. the tropical heats are much modified by a strong monsoon. Australia is singularly free from endemic and zymotic diseases; but in some sections the introduction of irrigation-works is reported to have induced the prevalence of fevers. There is very little snow or ice in Australia, except in the higher southern mountains and during the winter months (which are June, July, and August). On the coast and in the plains frosts seldom occur, even in the extreme south...
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