Exploring Geography
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific
- iguide.travel
Number of Countries within Region: 13
Australia Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Physical Features
Great Barrier Reef
The reef is located off the northern coast of Australia. It is said to be the longest coral reef in the world. The reef is shaped in a form of and arch, stretching more than 1250 miles along the coast of Queensland. (Pulsipher, Pulsiper, 2008.) The reef is made up of tiny polyps that are very fragile. If the water temperature is too cold or warm the polyps would die. The reef is has a combination of freshwater that drained from the land and saltwater in the sea. The reef is dying in many places from the warming of the ocean and pollutant run off from the land.
The reef is located off the northern coast of Australia. It is said to be the longest coral reef in the world. The reef is shaped in a form of and arch, stretching more than 1250 miles along the coast of Queensland. (Pulsipher, Pulsiper, 2008.) The reef is made up of tiny polyps that are very fragile. If the water temperature is too cold or warm the polyps would die. The reef is has a combination of freshwater that drained from the land and saltwater in the sea. The reef is dying in many places from the warming of the ocean and pollutant run off from the land.
- myessentia.com
Great Dividing Range
The Mountains run along the eastern/southeastern edge of Australia and extend into Tasmania. These mountains separate the dry Australian inland from the coastal areas. Mt. Kosciusko is the highest peak standing 7310 feet high.
The Mountains run along the eastern/southeastern edge of Australia and extend into Tasmania. These mountains separate the dry Australian inland from the coastal areas. Mt. Kosciusko is the highest peak standing 7310 feet high.
- anneknock.wordpress.com
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Located in 208 miles southwest of Alice Springs and in the southern part of the Northern Territory, Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation. Ayers Rock stands nearly 1142 feet tall, and is considered sacred to the Anangu in the area. It has many surrounding springs, waterholes, caves and ancient paintings. It is known for “changing colors”, as it appears different colors throughout the day and night by the way light reflects off of it.
Located in 208 miles southwest of Alice Springs and in the southern part of the Northern Territory, Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation. Ayers Rock stands nearly 1142 feet tall, and is considered sacred to the Anangu in the area. It has many surrounding springs, waterholes, caves and ancient paintings. It is known for “changing colors”, as it appears different colors throughout the day and night by the way light reflects off of it.
- destination360.com
Great Sandy Desert
Located in Western Australia, the desert is a large area covered with red sand plains broken up by hills and small ranges. This area, like most deserts receives little rainfall making it unable to support very much vegetation. Ayers Rock is located in this sub-region.
Located in Western Australia, the desert is a large area covered with red sand plains broken up by hills and small ranges. This area, like most deserts receives little rainfall making it unable to support very much vegetation. Ayers Rock is located in this sub-region.
- redcentre.com.au
Coral Sea
Located on the northeast side of the Great Barrier Reef, and stretching to nearly 3 times the size (1 million sq. km.) The Coral Sea is one of the last tropical wildernesses in the world. The home to many fish including the grey and white tip reef sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, tuna, barracuda, whales and sea turtles. The massive coral reefs rise thousands of feet above the sea floor.
- coralsea.net
Climate
Most of the region has a tropical climate. Warm water temperatures within the tropical and subtropical latitudes keep the temperature pretty mild. Some of the southern portions of Australia and New Zealand see the most seasonal climate activity. (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, 2008.)
Moisture/Rainfall
Most of the region is warm and humid for the majority of the year. In New Zealand and the high islands there is a large amount of rain each year. The presence of a hovering long white cloud over the islands is called “Aotearoa.” This is caused by the roaring forties (powerful air and ocean currents speeding around the southern hemisphere.) This moisture is the cause for 130 inches of rain in New Zealand and the highlands and nearly 30 inches in the lower coastal areas.
Dry conditions
The remaining portions of Australia (nearly two-thirds) are blocked from the moisture by the “Great Dividing Range” causing very dry conditions in the interior portions. This area receives less than 20 inches a year. Overall, Australia is very arid, and contains only one river system – The Darling and Murray rivers.
Moisture/Rainfall
Most of the region is warm and humid for the majority of the year. In New Zealand and the high islands there is a large amount of rain each year. The presence of a hovering long white cloud over the islands is called “Aotearoa.” This is caused by the roaring forties (powerful air and ocean currents speeding around the southern hemisphere.) This moisture is the cause for 130 inches of rain in New Zealand and the highlands and nearly 30 inches in the lower coastal areas.
Dry conditions
The remaining portions of Australia (nearly two-thirds) are blocked from the moisture by the “Great Dividing Range” causing very dry conditions in the interior portions. This area receives less than 20 inches a year. Overall, Australia is very arid, and contains only one river system – The Darling and Murray rivers.
Resources
Natural resources and agricultural exporting has supported Australia and New Zealand for years. Australia is the worlds largest exported of coal, bauxite, along with other minerals. Australia also supplies nearly 50% of the world’s wool for clothing. Australia is now a world leader in providing technical services to the mining companies, winemakers, and the farmers (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, 2008.)
New Zealand is known for their dairy products and also “specializes” in fish, wool and timber products (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, 2008.) Today New Zealand is very well educated and developed in marketing. They have become world renowned in the service sector.
Tourism is also a very large resource for the economy in this region. Tourists from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, the Americas and the Europe. It is not uncommon for the islands to be populated with more tourists than residents.
New Zealand is known for their dairy products and also “specializes” in fish, wool and timber products (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, 2008.) Today New Zealand is very well educated and developed in marketing. They have become world renowned in the service sector.
Tourism is also a very large resource for the economy in this region. Tourists from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, the Americas and the Europe. It is not uncommon for the islands to be populated with more tourists than residents.
Environmental Issues
Australia
The early European settlers unintentionally brought “non-native” species. These “non-native” species have caused many problems with native plants and animals. In some extreme cases, they have even caused extinction. They are blamed to have caused extinction for 41 bird and mammal species along with more than 100 plant species. European rabbits take the blame as the most destructive species.
New Zealand
Many of the same problems that Australia suffers from are the same in New Zealand. 1000 years ago, New Zealand was uninhabited. 85% of the land was covered in rainforests. The Maori settled here, cultivating and hunting the land. By the time Europeans made contact – it was nearly too late. Many species were already extinct, and much of the forests were as well.
The Pacific Islands
Mining, nuclear pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, economic globalization, and increasing tourism all cause ill effects on the islands. OK Tedi mine on mainland Papua New Guinea had huge amounts of waste which devastated the river systems. In Nauru, the environment has been destroyed from mining. Reserves are depleted and old mining equipment still sits on miles of bleached white coral. This used to be the home of the beautiful rainforests. There is nuclear pollution from nuclear weapon testing and reactor wastes. During WWII, U.S. nuclear bomb experiments destroyed islands. Islanders suffered from cancer, infertility, birth defects, and miscarriages.
The early European settlers unintentionally brought “non-native” species. These “non-native” species have caused many problems with native plants and animals. In some extreme cases, they have even caused extinction. They are blamed to have caused extinction for 41 bird and mammal species along with more than 100 plant species. European rabbits take the blame as the most destructive species.
New Zealand
Many of the same problems that Australia suffers from are the same in New Zealand. 1000 years ago, New Zealand was uninhabited. 85% of the land was covered in rainforests. The Maori settled here, cultivating and hunting the land. By the time Europeans made contact – it was nearly too late. Many species were already extinct, and much of the forests were as well.
The Pacific Islands
Mining, nuclear pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, economic globalization, and increasing tourism all cause ill effects on the islands. OK Tedi mine on mainland Papua New Guinea had huge amounts of waste which devastated the river systems. In Nauru, the environment has been destroyed from mining. Reserves are depleted and old mining equipment still sits on miles of bleached white coral. This used to be the home of the beautiful rainforests. There is nuclear pollution from nuclear weapon testing and reactor wastes. During WWII, U.S. nuclear bomb experiments destroyed islands. Islanders suffered from cancer, infertility, birth defects, and miscarriages.
Population Patterns
Oceania is a very large region, and has very few occupants compared to other continents (34 million-less than California.) The population is spread out over small landmasses throughout the Pacific Ocean, if put together these landmasses would be about the same size as the entire U.S. Two different population patterns exist in this region
The Pacific Islands
The fast growing population is younger on the islands. Their life expectancies are in the late sixties to early seventies. The density of the population varies from island to island. Few are settled in uninhabited areas, and they are sparsely scattered out throughout the islands. Other areas on the islands like Marshall Islands and Tuvalu are very crammed. In these areas there are 800-1000 people in one square mile. Nauru has the highest density in this region with 1529 people in one square mile.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are considered to be some of the wealthier countries in the world. The population in these areas has a slow growth rate and the median age is older than in the Pacific Islands. Their life expectancy is nearly 80 years old. Most of the population lives in the cities (91% NZ and 86% Australia.) Both countries have very low population/land density. Australia has only 7 people per square mile, and New Zealand has 39 people per square mile.
The Pacific Islands
The fast growing population is younger on the islands. Their life expectancies are in the late sixties to early seventies. The density of the population varies from island to island. Few are settled in uninhabited areas, and they are sparsely scattered out throughout the islands. Other areas on the islands like Marshall Islands and Tuvalu are very crammed. In these areas there are 800-1000 people in one square mile. Nauru has the highest density in this region with 1529 people in one square mile.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are considered to be some of the wealthier countries in the world. The population in these areas has a slow growth rate and the median age is older than in the Pacific Islands. Their life expectancy is nearly 80 years old. Most of the population lives in the cities (91% NZ and 86% Australia.) Both countries have very low population/land density. Australia has only 7 people per square mile, and New Zealand has 39 people per square mile.
Role of Gender
The myth was that women of the pacific were love compliant objects, who surrendered themselves to men transporting through the area. This was thought to be true throughout the world and became almost an advertisement thru brochures, paintings and prints. The reality was that women in the past had a considerable amount of power. Especially after becoming a mother or when she was of older age. The women were the “crafts people.” They gathered the fruits and nuts, and also did the fishing. The men were primarily responsible for cultivation and the cooking.
Women’s power has increased over time. Today they have more policy making power, access to jobs and it is not uncommon for them to choose careers over marriage until they are into their 30’s.
New Zealand and Australia
It is still expected that the woman sacrifices work to stay home and take care of the elderly family members.
The Pacific Islands
Gender roles vary from island to island. Most women choose stay home as housewives and take care of the homestead. They do many domestic crafts, such as weaving and basketry. By middle age, many women decide to return to school and begin their careers. Government assistance for schooling is very good for some, and they achieve higher education degrees giving them many opportunities to from their villages.
Women’s power has increased over time. Today they have more policy making power, access to jobs and it is not uncommon for them to choose careers over marriage until they are into their 30’s.
New Zealand and Australia
It is still expected that the woman sacrifices work to stay home and take care of the elderly family members.
The Pacific Islands
Gender roles vary from island to island. Most women choose stay home as housewives and take care of the homestead. They do many domestic crafts, such as weaving and basketry. By middle age, many women decide to return to school and begin their careers. Government assistance for schooling is very good for some, and they achieve higher education degrees giving them many opportunities to from their villages.
Religion
Many religions are found in this region. Christianity is popular in the developed areas, and considered to be the main religion in this region. There are many different denominations of Christianity, and all may have different beliefs or practices. The major denominations consist of Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Angelican. This is an area filled with many different cultures and religions from migration. The diversity in religion begins to adapt with one another, and some people follow pieces of many different beliefs.
Transportation
Traveling by roads is the main form of transportation in this region. The Railway is also a major form of transportation. Air transportation is used for transporting tourists in and out of the region, along with hoping from island to island. This region has an extensive exporting system and the waterway transport is used for exports along with tourism and fishing traffic.
Country of Focus
New Zealand
New Zealand gained its independence in 1907. They supported the United Kingdom military in both the World Wars. Located in Oceania, New Zealand is the islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. The total land mass is 267,710 sq. km, comparably about the size of Colorado.
The total population is 4,290,347 (July 2011 est.) The median age is 39, with a life expectancy for men of 78.6 yrs. and women of 82.7 years old.
New Zealand gained its independence in 1907. They supported the United Kingdom military in both the World Wars. Located in Oceania, New Zealand is the islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. The total land mass is 267,710 sq. km, comparably about the size of Colorado.
The total population is 4,290,347 (July 2011 est.) The median age is 39, with a life expectancy for men of 78.6 yrs. and women of 82.7 years old.
- newzealandtraveldiscount.info
Agriculture
Australia
The land is dry and there is very limited space. Australia produces sugar, fruits (oranges, pears, and berries to name a few) and cereal and exports them throughout the world.
New Zealand
Very much like Australia, New Zealand produces and exports fruit (known for kiwi) and cereal along with corn and peas.
The land is dry and there is very limited space. Australia produces sugar, fruits (oranges, pears, and berries to name a few) and cereal and exports them throughout the world.
New Zealand
Very much like Australia, New Zealand produces and exports fruit (known for kiwi) and cereal along with corn and peas.
