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There are many factors that contribute to Australia being the unique land that it is. Since it can be described as a continent, country and island, we know that this is what contributes to its uniqueness. However, there are many other aspects of Australia that make it such an exceptional mass of land: the varying climate and weather patterns, distinctive landforms, rare and distinctive flora, fauna and soil, Indigenous communities, and multiculturalism.

Australia is situated in between three of the earth’s major oceans, the Pacific, the Indian and the southern ocean. This matchless location is what enables Australia to experience a great variation in climate and weather- ranging from large seas, cyclones and powerful storms generated from low pressure systems to long periods of calm weather even droughts. Climate conditions are so diverse and are evident when we compare, for example, central Australia: dry, desert regions with high daytime temperatures and low amounts of rain; On the other hand, in the south are the temperate regions with constant rainfall and temperatures ranging from hot to cold.
Australia is home to a variety of diverse and distinctive plants and animals. What makes Australian plants and animals stand out from the rest is their abilities to adapt to the Australian climate. Plant and animal life has learned to cope with the harsh conditions of the Australian outback by evolving into creatures that can cope with high temperatures and lack of water. For example, desert animals lose sweat glands to maintain moisture or have gotten used to eating insects to gain more. They have also learnt to stay out of the heat of day. Due to Australia’s isolation from neighbouring nations, animal species have been able to flourish without exotic creatures tampering with their habitats and life. Species have evolved from Australia’s unique combination of climate, topography and the fact that it is so isolated. Over 80% of the Australian...