The Great Outback is a land that is as vastly diverse in its terrain as it is in its weather and wildlife. What is interesting to state is that on a general map, Australia is never proportionate or represented of its actual size when compared to other continents on the map.

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world. When appropriately compared to other countries, as is shown in these maps, Australia is actually a lot, lot larger than most of the world’s population is led to believe.

Australia is Diverse

Looking at the size of Australia, it’s easy to see how a continent so massive could be home to such diverse geography, wildlife population and climate. While a majority of Australia has a temperate climate for a majority of the year, some parts, generally the northern portion of Australia, feature a warmer, tropical climate, while the mountains during the wintertime, get enough snowfall for winter sports.

In theory, a person could enjoy a day on the warm, sunny beaches of northern Australia, and a couple hours later, be skiing in the mountains. They could also be driving across geography as green as the jungles of hawaii, and in the same day, be driving across any one of Australia’s 10 desserts.

That’s what makes Australia such an adventure. If you’re one who wants to make this continent your home, here are things you need to know when building a house.

Location Determines Needs

The first thing to do is decide where in Australia you want to live. Would you rather be close to the ocean, or close to the mountains? Do you want to live in a dessert, in a city, or in a suburb?

There is so much landscape to take in when living in Australia, so you’ll want to consider hiring professionals such as architects, engineers, and landscape artists if you want to be able to fully enjoy the scenic expanses of the continent on which you live.

Climate, as well as varied wildlife will create very real needs in a home. They will also show you what precautions you need to take. The bugs are prolific, and there are over 150 different species of snakes. This isn’t anything to be alarmed about. It just goes to prove that you need to know the landscape and make sure you take appropriate measures to make sure unwanted critters stay outside of your beautiful home.

Other than the bugs, people usually don’t have any qualms about living in, or moving to Australia. All it takes is a little research and you’ll soon be able to enjoy the Great Outback for what it is.