The Pacific Islands Preview Section 1: Natural Environments World Geography Today 11/14/2018 The Pacific Islands Preview Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: History and Culture Section 3: The Region Today Chapter Wrap-Up Chapter 32

Section 1: Natural Environments Read to Discover What are the main physical features of the Pacific Islands, and what physical processes affect them? How is the Pacific Islands region divided into subregions? What climates, biomes, and resources does the region have?

Section 1: Natural Environments Question What are the similarities and differences between the Pacific’s high islands and low islands?

Section 1: Natural Environments HIGH ISLANDS LOW ISLANDS Subject to natural phenomena such as volcanoes Formed by volcanoes or oceanic rock • Made of coral • Small and flat Mountainous and rocky • Often ring-shaped • Generally found in groups Fresh water • Little freshwater Rich, volcanic soils • Thin soil

Section 1: Natural Environments Physical Features High and Low Islands High islands—Continental or oceanic (continental rock or volcanic); usually mountainous Low islands—Coral; usually small and flat Atolls (ring-shaped coral islands)—Surround lagoons Different environments—Richer soils, more vegetation on high islands

Section 1: Natural Environments Physical Processes Tectonic forces form volcanic islands and ocean trenches. Earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis are common in some areas. Coral islands form around volcano edges; island sinks, leaving atoll.

Section 1: Natural Environments Three Island Subregions Melanesia—Closest to Australia (includes eastern New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji) Micronesia—East of Philippines (includes Caroline Islands, Gilbert Islands of Kiribati, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands) Polynesia—Largest subregion (huge triangle from Easter Island to Hawaii to New Zealand; includes Cook, Marquesas, Samoa, Society, and Tonga Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago)

Section 1: Natural Environments Climates and Biomes Climates—Hot and rainy; only New Guinea has highland zones; some distinct wet-dry seasons Trade winds play key role; also typhoons Thick tropical rain forests in areas of heavy rainfall

Section 1: Natural Environments Resources Key resources—Fish and shellfish (lobster, octopus, shark, shrimp, tuna, oysters) Pearls from oysters in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands Few other resources—Some timber (Papua New Guinea); some metals (gold and copper in Papua New Guinea; nickel in New Caledonia)

Section 2: History and Culture Read to Discover What are some important events in the history of the region? What are the traditions and culture of the region like?

Section 2: History and Culture Question What are some of the foreign influences in the history of the Pacific Islands region?

Section 2: History and Culture 1520s Europeans begin to explore the Pacific Islands. 1898 United States captures Guam. 1940s Pacific region becomes the site for World War II battles and bases. Post-World War II Many islands move away from colonization to independence. 1500 1900 1950 2000

Section 2: History and Culture Early migrations settled islands thousands of years ago. Europeans arrived in 1500s; first Magellan, then others. Race for colonies developed; by late 1800s foreign powers controlled the region. Whale hunters disrupted life and culture, spread disease.

Section 2: History and Culture History (continued) Colonial rule became more organized—plantations, military bases. World War II brought sudden changes; creation of trust territories after war. Islands have varied political status—some independent; some still colonies or associated with outside powers.

Section 2: History and Culture Traditions and Culture Many variations in ethnicity and language European or pidgin languages often used between groups Traditional foods—Root crops (taro, yams), fruits (bananas, breadfruit, coconut), fish Modern foods—Domesticated livestock, imported processed foods, sugarcane as cash crop

Section 2: History and Culture Traditions and Culture (continued) Religion—Native spirit religions and Christianity Traditional social organization—Clans or tribes Complex rules and social ranks in Polynesia; less rigid elsewhere Matrilineal descent in Micronesia Art linked to religion (carvings)

Section 3: The Region Today Read to Discover What are the economies of the Pacific Islands region like? What are some demographic characteristics of the region? What challenges do the people of the region face?

Section 3: The Region Today Question How are the Pacific Islands’ economies, demography, and challenges linked?

Section 3: The Region Today Economic activities like mining have damaged the environment. Small markets on islands make industrialization difficult. Population growth has resulted in overcrowding. The Pacific Today Ethnic divisions have sometimes led to political violence. Emigration has led to shortage of skilled workers.

Section 3: The Region Today Economic Features Trade—Traditional inter-island trade now more global Development—Small markets, limited resources Common activities—Fishing, subsistence farming Commercial agriculture—Coconut oil, copra, cacao, pineapples, vanilla

Section 3: The Region Today Economic Features (continued) Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)—Surround islands; income from user fees Mining—Important to New Guinea, New Caledonia, Nauru Export—Textiles and clothing Tourism—Important to Tahiti and Tonga

Section 3: The Region Today Demographic Features Small population, but high population density on some islands Few big cities, but rapid urban growth Substantial migration and emigration Cause of migration—Population growth (natural increase) Labor shortage caused by emigration

Section 3: The Region Today Challenges Rapid population growth Effects of economic development on environment (deforestation, mining) Nuclear testing (radiation and health problems) Climate (global warming leading to submersion and storm vulnerability) Political violence (Bougainville, Fiji)

Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas World Geography Today 11/14/2018 Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas 1. What are the two types of islands in the Pacific? What are their origins? 2. What geographic factors helped a large number of languages to develop in the region? 3. What food crops have traditionally been important in the region? What uses did Pacific Islanders find for the coconut palm? 4. Why is manufacturing not a major factor in the region’s economy? 5. What are the three patterns of human movement in the Pacific Islands today? Chapter 32