Australia, an island continent and sixth largest country, located southeast of Asia and a self-governing member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The commonwealth extends for about 4025 km (about 2500 mi.) from east to west and for about 3700 km (about 2300 mi.) from north to south. Its coastline measures some 36,735-km (about 22,826 mi.). The area of the commonwealth is 7,682,292 sq. km (2,966,150-sq. mi.), and the area of the continent alone is 7,614,500 sq. km (2,939,974-sq. mi.).