Australia may seem vast and underutilized, but a deeper look reveals why so little of its land is actively farmed or settled. 1. A Harsh, Arid Environment Australia is the driest inhabited continent , with more than one-third of its land being true desert and over two-thirds classified as arid or semi-arid . Rainfall is highly unpredictable and sparse across vast areas, limiting agriculture to pockets with sufficient water . 2. Poor Soil Quality and Soil Degradation Much of Australia's soil is nutrient-poor , being ancient and lacking depth—far from the richest farmland . Modern agricultural practices have intensified soil erosion , salinisation , and fertility loss , further shrinking arable land . Only 3–6% of Australia's land is truly arable or suitable for crops—contrasting sharply against its massive size . 3. How Australians Use the Land: Grazing, Not Farming A vast 52–60% of Australia’s land is used by agricultural businesses, but 87% of...