Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, & Antarctica

Australia Only continent that is also a country

Great Barrier Reef One of the world’s natural wonders, located on Australia’s Northeastern coast Made of coral, which is the limestone skeletons of sea animals World’s largest coral reef

Creatures of the Great Barrier Reef Great White Shark Man of War Jellyfish

Outback Very dry and ARID Area where few people live

Climate * Many different climates! *Majority is desert

Native People The Aborigines Migrated from Asia at least 40,000 years ago Nomadic people, never established permanent settlements Hunted with boomerangs

History Settled & colonized by the British Was set up as a colony for convicts (Penal Colony)

Oceania Made up more than 20,000 islands 3 Categories: Melanesia  north of Australia; “black islands” Micronesia  north of Melanesia & south of Japan; “tiny islands” Polynesia  covers the area from Midway Island in the north to New Zealand in the south; “many islands”

Most islands formed by volcanic activity from the “Ring of Fire”

High Islands – created by volcanoes Low Islands – made of coral reefs

Has distinct wet & dry seasons  makes rain collection during the rainy season crucial to survival in the dry season

Settled and explored by Christian missionaries

New Zealand North Island & South Island Very diverse landmass: plains, lakes, mountains, plateaus, volcanoes  site of the filming of the Lord of the Rings films

Climate With the exception of its mountain areas, New Zealand has only one climate region, Marine West Coast Rain falls throughout the year Temperatures are mild

Native People The Maori Came from Polynesia to settle New Zealand Tā moko is the permanent body and face marking by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Traditionally it is distinct from tattoo and tatau in that the skin was carved by uhi (chisels) rather than punctured. This left the skin with grooves, rather than a smooth surface.

Settled & colonized by the British Large producer of wool & other sheep related products Which is which????? ***The stars are arranged in such a way that it symbolizes a Southern Cross. The Southern Cross is a famous constellation situated in the southern hemisphere. Thus the Southern Cross in the flag is an identification of New Zealand's position geographically.

Antarctica Twice the size of Australia An ice covered plateau with ice up to 2 miles thick in places, & ice covers 95% of the continent

Antarctica Tran-Antarctic Mountains – cross the continent

Significant mineral resources Continent used mainly for scientific research Weather patterns Can observe the sun & stars without obstruction (clouds) The ozone layer Krill, a small shrimp like animals that are a major part of the food chain

Climate The highest & driest of the continents Temperatures drop as low as -100° F On the Antarctic Peninsula with its tundra climate, summer temps can reach 60° F. Vegetation & animal life flourish here  dominated by lichens (likens), a type of algae and a variety of animal species

In Oceania the main form of necessary transport is by boat Outrigger canoes Sailboats Motor-powered boats

For longer distances sea planes are used because no airport is needed to land

Environment Europeans introduced to Australia: Camels Rabbits Sheep Sugarcane Native Animals to Australia: Kangaroos Koalas Wallabies