Australia

Australia, a biodiversity hotspot isolated by oceans, teems with unique wildlife found nowhere else—from kangaroos and koalas to the Great Barrier Reef's marine wonders. Over 80% of its mammals, reptiles, and flowering plants are endemic, including the platypus and Tasmanian devil. Its ecosystems range from Outback deserts to Daintree Rainforest (Earth’s oldest). Despite threats like invasive species and wildfires, Australia leads in conservation with vast protected areas and species recovery programs. A living laboratory of evolution, it underscores the fragility and resilience of life.