Australia
1 continent – 1 country 6th largest country Divided into 7 states/territories
Capital - Canberra Total Australian population 20 million 75% of population lives in the Southeast
Original inhabitants - Aborigines
Original inhabitants - Aborigines Inhabited Australia for over 50,000 years 300 clans 250 languages 700 dialects Today only 350,000 left
Explorer that discovered Australia and claimed it for England in 1770 Capt James Cook Explorer that discovered Australia and claimed it for England in 1770
Habitation From 1788 – 1839, Port Jackson (Sydney) was used as a Penal Colony for England 161,000 English convicts were transported to Port Jackson Today Australia has a vast cultural population 25% of today’s population was not born in Australia Must live in Australia for 2 years before you can apply for citizenship
Outback makes up 2/3 of the continent 3 major deserts Great Sandy Great Victoria Gibson
Ayers Rock (Uluru) Largest sandstone rock formation in the world 2800 feet tall (Alice Springs) Spiritual place for Aborigines
Great Barrier Reef One of the seven wonders of the world Largest reef in the world 1500 miles long, 2900 reefs 1500 species of fish
Opals 95% of world’s opals come from Australia
Great Dividing Range
Import/Export Produces cattle, sheep, and wheat Exports mutton, beef, lamb, and wool (25%)
Major Sports Cricket Golf Tennis
Major Cities Sydney Melbourne Adelaide Perth Brisbane Hobart
Interesting Australian Animals Koala Wombat Kangaroo Taipan
New Zealand Population 4 million Capital Wellington
Original Inhabitants - Maori
Capt James Cook Explorer that discovered New Zealand and claimed it for England in 1769
Mt. Cook Tallest mountain in the Southern Alps (South Island of New Zealand)
Red Stag
Oceania
Highest, driest, windiest, emptiest, coldest place on earth Antarctica Highest, driest, windiest, emptiest, coldest place on earth
Antarctica 98% covered in ice Contains 90% of world’s ice Almost 2/3 of world’s fresh water Average thickness of ice is 1 mile (2 miles in the center) Desert – less than 10 in precipitation (avg 8 inches)
Scientific Research No permanent population 1000 – 5000 people stay for months at the time for research Global treaty was drafted in 1959 and put in to effect in 1961 that Antarctica was to be used for only peaceful purposes
Transantarctic Mountains Vinson Massif
In 1911 he was first person to reach South Pole Roald Amundsen In 1911 he was first person to reach South Pole