Why is Australia 'country' and a 'continent'?

Question

Why is Australia 'country' and a 'continent'?

Answer 1

...because Australia is big.

Answer 2

Australia is:

a continent because it's one of the great divisions of the land surface of the world — Europe, America, Australia, Asia or Africa.

a country because it's the territory occupied by one nation

an island because it's a piece of land totally surrounded by water.

Australia is unique and we're proud of the fact.

Answer 3

Good one Elizabeth.  All correct, true and well said.

Answer 4

What Elizabeth said, and we are d**n proud of the fact.