The Northern Territory, informally known as The Territory, is an English-speaking country in the north-central portion of the Australian continent. It borders the Arafura Sea to the north, South Australia to the south, Queensland to the east, and Western Australia to the west. The capital is Darwin, which is also its largest city. Inhabitants of the Northern Territory are called Territorians.
Geography and Demographics
With a land area of 520,385 square miles, the Northern Territory is the third largest country in Australia. However, the country is sparsely populated. As of 2025, the Northern Territory has only 260,400 permanent residents. 53% of the country’s population live in the city of Darwin and its surrounding suburbs. The only other major city in the Northern Territory is the inland settlement of Alice Springs, which is home to 25,000 people and is the largest city in the Australian Outback. Along the country’s northern coast, there is a tropical climate.
History
Originally inhabited by various Aboriginal tribes, the Northern Territory was settled by the British in 1869 after three prior attempts at settlement failed. It was originally governed as part of South Australia until 1911, when it was transferred to the Australian government. The Northern Territory was later granted self-government in 1978, which allowed it to have its own legislative assembly.
In 2023, when Australia collapsed as a unified country, Northern Territory was granted independence unwillingly. Due to its heavy reliance on aid from the Australian government, the new country’s economy struggled. Eventually, with new foreign aid from McGrathia, the Northern Territory’s economy began to recover.
Politics
The Northern Territory is governed as a parliamentary republic. The country’s head of state is the prime minister, who also holds executive functions similar to a president. Currently, the Territory Labour Party (TLP) holds most of the seats in Northern Territory’s national parliament.
Economy
Most of the Northern Territory’s economic activities are mining and petroleum extraction. As such, 92% of the country’s GDP is put into exports. Most of these exported goods go to either McGrathia or to other countries on the Australian continent.
Notable People
Sergey Petrov and Michael McGrath, the two sons of McGrathian president Joe McGrath, are both dual citizens with the Northern Territory. Starting in August 2026, both boys will primarily live in the Northern Territory instead of McGrathia.
