Physical Geography

Australia Continent and a Country

Outback Low area of flatland in Central/Western Australia Covers 2/3 of the continent Few people live there

Great Darling Range Australia’s only substantial mountain range 2,175 miles Eastern coastline

Great Victoria Desert

Ayers (Uluru) Rock One of Australia’s most recognizable icons Sandstone rock Appears to change color in different light

Nullarbor Plain Dry, virtually treeless plain that ends abruptly in giant cliffs Ends in the Australian Bight

Artesian wells Wells from which pressurized water flows to the surface In Australia, the water is usually too salty for humans to use

Great Barrier Reef World’s largest coral reef String of 2,500 small reefs Extends 1,250 miles Provides for multitudes of creatures National Park

Resources Only 10% of the land is arable Wheat, barley, sugarcane Mineral resources ¼ of the world’s bauxite Used to make aluminum

Oceania Thousands of islands extending across millions of square miles of the Pacific Ocean created by tectonic plates and volcanic hot spots Three groups of islands 1. Melanesia 2. Micronesia 3. Polynesia

Atolls Ring shaped islands formed by the build-up of coral reefs on the rim of a submerged volcano Encircles a lagoon Lagoon: shallow pools of clear water

New Zealand Island country southeast of Australia Comprised of two main islands: North Island Golden beaches, ancient forests, rolling hills and rich soil Central plateau has volcanic stone and hot springs South Island Towering snowy peaks: Southern Alps Lakes carved by glaciers, plains, cliffs, fjords, coastal caves

North Island

South Island

Natural Resources in NZ Geothermal Energy Fertile soil for raising crops Livestock Timber

Wattle Strong, interwoven wooden framework used for building homes Acacia tree

Doldrums Windless area along a narrow band near the equator Place where opposing currents meet Can result in typhoons

New Zealand Geography Geographic isolation gives rise to unique plant life 90% of the country’s plants can only be found in NZ Manuka: small shrub that carpets land where prehistoric volcanic eruptions destroyed ancient forests