Australia & Oceania

Notes

Physical Geography of Australia…Physical Geography of Australia… Australia Australia

– Known as the Land Known as the Land Down Under Down Under because of its because of its southern location southern location “under” the equator“under” the equator

– It is both a country It is both a country and a continent.and a continent.

– Divided into 3 Divided into 3 regions:regions: Great Dividing Great Dividing

RangeRange Central LowlandsCentral Lowlands Western PlateauWestern Plateau

Pink – Western Plateau

Yellow – Central Lowlands

Green – Great Dividing Range

Physical Geography of Australia…Physical Geography of Australia… Great Dividing RangeGreat Dividing Range

– contains most of the mountains contains most of the mountains and hillsand hills

– Divides the flow of Australia’s Divides the flow of Australia’s riversrivers

Central LowlandsCentral Lowlands– thick area of pasture lands that thick area of pasture lands that

run through the middle of run through the middle of Australia.Australia.

– Great Artesian Basin – Great Artesian Basin – waters are pressurized and waters are pressurized and come naturally to the surfacecome naturally to the surface

Western PlateauWestern Plateau– Covers nearly 2/3 of Covers nearly 2/3 of

AustraliaAustralia– Dry desertDry desert– Called the OutbackCalled the Outback

Three deserts cover the Three deserts cover the outback: the Great Sandy, the outback: the Great Sandy, the Great Victoria, and the Great Great Victoria, and the Great Gibson.Gibson.

Physical Geography of Australia…Physical Geography of Australia…

The Great Barrier ReefThe Great Barrier Reef– Located off Australia’s Located off Australia’s

northeastern coast.northeastern coast.– The reef is one of the The reef is one of the

world’s most famous world’s most famous natural wondersnatural wonders

The reef is made of The reef is made of coral formed by the coral formed by the limestone skeletons limestone skeletons of tiny sea animalsof tiny sea animals

Bodies of Water…Bodies of Water…

RiversRivers– Darling RiverDarling River– Murray RiverMurray River

OceansOceans– Indian OceanIndian Ocean– Pacific OceanPacific Ocean

LakesLakes– Lake EyreLake Eyre

SeasSeas– Tasman SeaTasman Sea– Coral seaCoral sea– Philippine SeaPhilippine Sea

Natural Resources…Natural Resources…

Rich in mineral and energy Rich in mineral and energy sourcessources

6% of Australia’s land is 6% of Australia’s land is arablearable

Many areas are used for Many areas are used for grazinggrazing

Australia is the leading Australia is the leading producer of wheat, cattle, & producer of wheat, cattle, & sheepsheep

Water is a scarce resourceWater is a scarce resource Some other resources: Some other resources:

uranium, bauxite, iron-ore, uranium, bauxite, iron-ore, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, silversilver

Sources of energy: coal, oil, Sources of energy: coal, oil, and natural gasand natural gas

Green is arable & more habitable land

Climate…Climate… Second driest Second driest

continentcontinent– The Western Plateau The Western Plateau

is the driest areais the driest area– 2/3 of Australia has 2/3 of Australia has

arid or semiarid arid or semiarid climateclimate Low elevationLow elevation Lies between 20Lies between 20° and ° and

30° south latitude30° south latitude

– The southern coasts The southern coasts have a have a Mediterranean Mediterranean climateclimate

Animals and vegetation…Animals and vegetation… Many endemic speciesMany endemic species Because Australia separated Because Australia separated

from other continents, from other continents, unique plants and animals unique plants and animals developeddeveloped

Many marsupials – Many marsupials – mammals that carry their mammals that carry their young in pouchesyoung in pouches– KangarooKangaroo– WallabyWallaby– KoalaKoala

Two native forms of Two native forms of vegetation dominate the vegetation dominate the region:region:– AcaciaAcacia– Eucalyptus treesEucalyptus trees

Physical Geography of Oceania…Physical Geography of Oceania…

Consists of three Consists of three major island groups:major island groups:– MelanesiaMelanesia – lies – lies

closest to Australiaclosest to Australia Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands FijiFiji

– MicronesiaMicronesia – lies – lies east of the Philippineseast of the Philippines GuamGuam Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands

– PolynesiaPolynesia – largest – largest of the threeof the three Cook IslandsCook Islands SamoaSamoa

Physical Physical Geography of Geography of

Oceania…Oceania…

High IslandsHigh Islands– Rocky & mountainous islandsRocky & mountainous islands– 2 types of high islands:2 types of high islands:

Continental IslandsContinental Islands– Not formed by volcanoesNot formed by volcanoes– Most of the larger islandsMost of the larger islands– Example: Papua New Guinea Example: Papua New Guinea

(world’s 2(world’s 2ndnd largest island) largest island)

Oceanic IslandsOceanic Islands– Volcanic islands that have Volcanic islands that have

formed from ocean floorformed from ocean floor– Part of the Ring of FirePart of the Ring of Fire

Lowland IslandsLowland Islands– Formed from coralFormed from coral– Low islands tend to have a ring Low islands tend to have a ring

shapeshape– Ring-shaped coral islands is Ring-shaped coral islands is

called an atollcalled an atoll– Within the atoll lies a shallow Within the atoll lies a shallow

body of water called a lagoonbody of water called a lagoon

Climate of Oceania…Climate of Oceania… Most of region lies Most of region lies

between Tropic of between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of CapricornCapricorn

Climates are Climates are generally hot with generally hot with high rainfallhigh rainfall

Intertropical Intertropical Convergence Zone Convergence Zone (ITCZ) – area where (ITCZ) – area where trade winds meet trade winds meet near the equator near the equator creating humid and creating humid and rainy conditionsrainy conditions

Natural Resources of Oceania…Natural Resources of Oceania…

Fish & shellfish are Fish & shellfish are important resourcesimportant resources

Export: lobsters, Export: lobsters, octopus, shrimp & tunaoctopus, shrimp & tuna

Cultured pearls Cultured pearls harvested from oystersharvested from oysters

Gold, copper, and Gold, copper, and nickel are found on nickel are found on large continental large continental islandsislands

Physical Geography of New Zealand…Physical Geography of New Zealand…

A group of mountainous A group of mountainous islands covered with forestislands covered with forest

1,000 miles southeast of 1,000 miles southeast of AustraliaAustralia

Divided into 2 major islands Divided into 2 major islands separated by Cook Strait:separated by Cook Strait:– North IslandNorth Island

Lake TaupoLake Taupo Tectonically active islandsTectonically active islands

– South IslandSouth Island Southern AlpsSouthern Alps Includes Mt. Cook (highest Includes Mt. Cook (highest

point)point) Many glaciersMany glaciers

Natural Resources of New ZealandNatural Resources of New Zealand Main resource is good Main resource is good

farmlandfarmland Energy sources:Energy sources:

– Hydroelectric power is Hydroelectric power is produced from New produced from New Zealand’s riversZealand’s rivers

– Hydroelectricity provides Hydroelectricity provides roughly 65% of the powerroughly 65% of the power

– Use hot steam from volcanoes Use hot steam from volcanoes for geothermal energyfor geothermal energy

New Zealand does not have New Zealand does not have many large mineral depositsmany large mineral deposits

Global supplier of wool, Global supplier of wool, sheep, forests products and sheep, forests products and fishfish

Climate & Vegetation of New Climate & Vegetation of New ZealandZealand

Marine west coast climate—rainfall year Marine west coast climate—rainfall year round with mild temperatures. round with mild temperatures.

Small shrubs called manuka cover the Small shrubs called manuka cover the areaarea

Physical Geography of AntarcticaPhysical Geography of Antarctica

Twice the size of Twice the size of AustraliaAustralia– Ice is nearly 2 Ice is nearly 2

miles thickmiles thick– Ice covers 95 % of Ice covers 95 % of

land massland mass The Transantarctic The Transantarctic

Mountains divide Mountains divide the continent into the continent into two regionstwo regions

Krill a shrimp like Krill a shrimp like animal is used animal is used for food.for food.

Climate…Climate…

Coldest, windiest, most isolated Coldest, windiest, most isolated continentcontinent– Lowest temperature = -128Lowest temperature = -128°°FF– Summer temperatures are still Summer temperatures are still

below freezingbelow freezing– Receives 2 inches of precipitation Receives 2 inches of precipitation

per yearper year

Exploration…Exploration… Called the “continent for Called the “continent for

science and peace” as defined science and peace” as defined by the Antarctic Treaty signed by the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959in 1959– This means NO political This means NO political

borders, no military activity, no borders, no military activity, no nuclear waste or explosions, nuclear waste or explosions, and NO national claims to and NO national claims to ownershipownership

Madrid Protocol (1991)Madrid Protocol (1991)– 32 countries signed32 countries signed– Formed an agreement to Formed an agreement to

protect Antarcticaprotect Antarctica– Banned oil and gas exploration Banned oil and gas exploration

for 50 yearsfor 50 years The key to Antarctica’s The key to Antarctica’s

scientific value has been its scientific value has been its isolation because it has been isolation because it has been untouched by humans for so untouched by humans for so many yearsmany years

No country owns Antarctica but 7 countries have claimed portions of it.

Population of AustraliaPopulation of Australia Smallest continentSmallest continent

– 92% of population is of British or 92% of population is of British or other European ancestryother European ancestry

– 7% of population is of Asian 7% of population is of Asian descentdescent

19 million people live in 19 million people live in AustraliaAustralia – Largest populated country in the Largest populated country in the

South PacificSouth Pacific

Cities are located on the Cities are located on the coastal regionscoastal regions

85% of Australia’s 85% of Australia’s population lives in urban population lives in urban areasareas

Population of Oceania…Population of Oceania… New ZealandNew Zealand

– Many people live along coastMany people live along coast– Most of New Zealand’s Most of New Zealand’s

population is of British descentpopulation is of British descent– Maori are the largest minority Maori are the largest minority

group making up 10% of group making up 10% of populationpopulation

– More than 80% New Zealand’s More than 80% New Zealand’s population lives in urban areaspopulation lives in urban areas

Pacific IslandsPacific Islands– Population is lowPopulation is low– Great deal of emigration out Great deal of emigration out

of the regionof the region

Australian Australian History…History…

Australia’s first Australia’s first people were the people were the aboriginesaborigines

Came to Australia Came to Australia more than 40,000 more than 40,000 years ago from years ago from southeast Asiasoutheast Asia– Nomadic lifestyleNomadic lifestyle– Hunted with spears, Hunted with spears,

nets, & boomerangsnets, & boomerangs– Coastal areas – Coastal areas –

focused on fishingfocused on fishing

Early Settlement…Early Settlement…

British settled Australia as a prison colonyBritish settled Australia as a prison colony– Other people came to farm or raise sheepOther people came to farm or raise sheep

1851 – gold was discovered attracting more 1851 – gold was discovered attracting more settlerssettlers

Many settlers forced Aborigines off their landMany settlers forced Aborigines off their land Aborigines were wiped out by European diseasesAborigines were wiped out by European diseases

European European Settlement…Settlement…

As settlers continued As settlers continued to arrive, more towns to arrive, more towns and colonies were and colonies were foundedfounded

1901 – six colonies 1901 – six colonies were joined to form were joined to form the Commonwealth the Commonwealth of Australiaof Australia– Maintained close ties and Maintained close ties and

accepted British king/queen accepted British king/queen as chief of stateas chief of state

History of Oceania…History of Oceania…

First people to settle First people to settle New Zealand were the New Zealand were the Maori from the Pacific Maori from the Pacific islands (AD 750)islands (AD 750)

Micronesians – Micronesians – Developed trade with Developed trade with Melanesia and AsiaMelanesia and Asia– Some Micronesians Some Micronesians

were linked genetically were linked genetically to Aboriginesto Aborigines

Polynesians – Polynesians – overseas trade and overseas trade and farming and fishingfarming and fishing

Europeans in the Europeans in the South Pacific…South Pacific…

Early ExplorersEarly Explorers– 1500s – Europeans 1500s – Europeans

began to explore the began to explore the South PacificSouth Pacific

– 1642 – Dutch explorer 1642 – Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became Abel Tasman became first European to reach first European to reach New ZealandNew Zealand

– Captain James CookCaptain James Cook explored South Pacific & explored South Pacific &

made contact with Maorimade contact with Maori Between 1768 and 1779 Between 1768 and 1779

– claimed east coast of – claimed east coast of Australia for Great Australia for Great Britain, and sailed Britain, and sailed around Antarcticaaround Antarctica

First European settlers First European settlers in New Zealand were in New Zealand were missionaries & traders missionaries & traders from Great Britainfrom Great Britain

Continuing Continuing European European Interest…Interest…

AustraliaAustralia– Introduced sheep, cattle, and Introduced sheep, cattle, and

horseshorses New ZealandNew Zealand

– Settlers were attracted to good Settlers were attracted to good soil and fishingsoil and fishing

– British settlers signed treaty with British settlers signed treaty with Maori taking control of landsMaori taking control of lands

– Treaty provided that British had to Treaty provided that British had to protect Maori rightsprotect Maori rights

– Maori Wars fought from 1845 – Maori Wars fought from 1845 – 1872 in which Maori lost1872 in which Maori lost

– 1907 – New Zealand became 1907 – New Zealand became independent countryindependent country

AntarcticaAntarctica– Not exploredNot explored– South Pole – reached by Roald South Pole – reached by Roald

Amundsen in 1911Amundsen in 1911 OceaniaOceania

– Settled by Christian missionariesSettled by Christian missionaries– Christianity widespread among Christianity widespread among

nativesnatives

Struggle for Struggle for Imperial Power…Imperial Power…

1898 – U.S. gained 1898 – U.S. gained control of Philippines & control of Philippines & Guam through the Guam through the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War– By late 1800s – foreign By late 1800s – foreign

powers controlled nearly powers controlled nearly entire regionentire region

– Built plantations, military Built plantations, military bases, and fishing outpostsbases, and fishing outposts

– Japan gained control Japan gained control during WWIIduring WWII

– Bloody fighting as Allies Bloody fighting as Allies pushed Japan backpushed Japan back

Made some nations Made some nations territories – areas in territories – areas in South Pacific placed South Pacific placed under Western temporary under Western temporary controlcontrol– Some are now self-Some are now self-

governing – others still governing – others still under U.S. influenceunder U.S. influence

Culture…Culture… LanguageLanguage

– English is the official English is the official language of Australia & language of Australia & New ZealandNew Zealand

– Australians speak with a Australians speak with a distinct “Aussie” accentdistinct “Aussie” accent

– People of Papua New Guinea People of Papua New Guinea speak 700 different languagesspeak 700 different languages

– Reflecting colonialism – Reflecting colonialism – English & French are spokenEnglish & French are spoken

ReligionReligion– Majority of people are Majority of people are

ChristianChristian– Asian immigration has Asian immigration has

brought Buddhism and Islambrought Buddhism and Islam– Aborigines emphasize Aborigines emphasize

spiritual ties to the landspiritual ties to the land

Aussie Translations…Aussie Translations…

Can you translate these Australian words?Can you translate these Australian words?

BiscuitBiscuit ClicksClicks DunnyDunny EskyEsky G’dayG’day MozziesMozzies OzOz RooRoo SaltieSaltie Shark biscuitShark biscuit

Aussie Translations…Aussie Translations…

Biscuit……………………….cookieBiscuit……………………….cookie Clicks………………………..kilometerClicks………………………..kilometer Dunny……………………….restroomDunny……………………….restroom Esky…………………………ice chestEsky…………………………ice chest G’day………………………..helloG’day………………………..hello Mozzies……………………..mosquitoesMozzies……………………..mosquitoes Oz……………………………AustraliaOz……………………………Australia Roo…………………………..kangarooRoo…………………………..kangaroo Saltie…………………………saltwater crocodileSaltie…………………………saltwater crocodile Shark biscuit………………...inexperienced diverShark biscuit………………...inexperienced diver

Government Government Today…Today…

Parliamentary DemocracyParliamentary Democracy– AustraliaAustralia– New ZealandNew Zealand

Democratic RepublicDemocratic Republic– KiribatiKiribati– NauruNauru– VanuatuVanuatu

Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional Monarchy– TongaTonga– Western SamoaWestern Samoa

U.S. TerritoriesU.S. Territories– American SamoaAmerican Samoa– GuamGuam

Governed by FrenchGoverned by French– PolynesiaPolynesia

AntarcticaAntarctica– no official governmentno official government– no permanent settlementsno permanent settlements

Economy…Economy… AustraliaAustralia

– Well developed economy & Well developed economy & high per capita GDP high per capita GDP ($23,200)($23,200) Export mostly raw Export mostly raw

materialsmaterials Imports mostly Imports mostly

manufactured goodsmanufactured goods

– Many people work in Many people work in service industryservice industry

– Trade partners include Trade partners include Asian nations and United Asian nations and United StatesStates

New ZealandNew Zealand– Combination of fishing, Combination of fishing,

farming, and tourismfarming, and tourism– Exports: wool, meat, fish, Exports: wool, meat, fish,

dairy productsdairy products– Sheep outnumber people Sheep outnumber people

13:113:1

Agriculture…Agriculture… Only 6% of land is good for Only 6% of land is good for

farmingfarming Australia and New Zealand Australia and New Zealand

export large quantities of export large quantities of meat and woolmeat and wool

Australia is leading wool Australia is leading wool producing countryproducing country– RanchingRanching

Graziers, or herders tend to Graziers, or herders tend to large ranches called stationslarge ranches called stations

– FarmingFarming Copra – the dried meat from Copra – the dried meat from

the coconut palms is the only the coconut palms is the only farm export.farm export.

Wheat is Australia’s most Wheat is Australia’s most important cropimportant crop

Mining & Manufacturing…Mining & Manufacturing… MiningMining

– important part of the important part of the economyeconomy

– Leading producer of Leading producer of diamonds, bauxite, diamonds, bauxite, opal, and leadopal, and lead

– Also leading producers Also leading producers of coal, copper, and iron of coal, copper, and iron oreore

– Many island countries Many island countries may benefit one day may benefit one day from mineral deposits from mineral deposits on the ocean flooron the ocean floor

ManufacturingManufacturing– Some countries are Some countries are

moving toward moving toward manufacturing of manufacturing of clothing and textilesclothing and textiles

CountryCountry Reserve (in million Reserve (in million carats)carats)

AustraliaAustralia 230230

BotswanaBotswana 225225

ChinaChina 2020

CongoCongo 350350

South AfricaSouth Africa 150150

Tourism…Tourism…

Tourists are drawn each Tourists are drawn each year to clear blue water year to clear blue water and white sandand white sand

Draw visitors from Draw visitors from around the world but around the world but especially from U.S. & especially from U.S. & JapanJapan

Vital industry for Vital industry for islands such as Fiji & islands such as Fiji & TahitiTahiti

Environmental Environmental Issues…Issues…

Cane toadsCane toads– Introduced toads into Introduced toads into

the cane fields to eat the cane fields to eat the bugsthe bugs

– No natural enemy—they No natural enemy—they were poisonouswere poisonous

Brush tail possum was Brush tail possum was introduced in 1837introduced in 1837– Carried a disease that is Carried a disease that is

deadly to the cattle deadly to the cattle populationpopulation

Cane Toads in Australia

Environmental Environmental Issues…Issues…

Phosphate MiningPhosphate Mining– Chemical used to make Chemical used to make

fertilizerfertilizer– Strip mining has destroyed Strip mining has destroyed

the topsoilthe topsoil LoggingLogging

– More than 1/3 of the Australia’s More than 1/3 of the Australia’s woodlands have been clearedwoodlands have been cleared

Nuclear TestingNuclear Testing– France, Great Britain, and U.S. France, Great Britain, and U.S.

used their Pacific territories as used their Pacific territories as nuclear testing groundsnuclear testing grounds

– 1940s and 1950s – U.S. tested 1940s and 1950s – U.S. tested on Bikini Atoll on the Marshall on Bikini Atoll on the Marshall islandsislands

Environmental Environmental Issues…Issues…

Global warming is Global warming is special worry for special worry for people of the Pacificpeople of the Pacific– As polar ice melts, As polar ice melts,

ocean levels riseocean levels rise– Many of these islands Many of these islands

may be submerged or may be submerged or vulnerable to stormsvulnerable to storms

Ozone depletion is the Ozone depletion is the greatest danger to this greatest danger to this area.area.

Fear that global Fear that global warming will kill the warming will kill the KrillKrill