Australia, or Commonwealth of Australia, a country occupying its own continent in the Southern Hemisphere. It lies southeast of Asia between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Australia ranks sixth in size among the countries of the world. The continent of Australia is the world's smallest. Excluding dependencies, Australia has an area of 2,966,151 square miles (7,682,300 km 2), nearly that of the United States without Hawaii and Alaska. Maximum dimensions, excluding the island of Tasmania, are about 2,450 miles (3,940 km) east-west and 1,950 miles (3,140 km) north-south. Making up the country are six states and two mainland territories. In addition, Australia governs numerous islands.