Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, & Antarctica

Georgia Standards SSWG9 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. a. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on the region. b. Describe the major climates and their impact on the region. c. Analyze the impact isolation has had on the cultural and biological development of the region. d. Describe the various ethnic and religious groups; include major customs and traditions. e. Explain how the migration of diverse ethnic groups and available natural resources have affected the economic and political development. f. Explain why it was necessary for world governments involved in the exploration of Antarctica to develop and sign the Antarctic Treaty of 1961.

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

Australian Outback Very dry and ARID Area where few people live Ayer’s Rock – Popular tourist site in the outback

Climate

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

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

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

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

Settled & colonized by the British Large producer of wool & other sheep related products

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

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

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

Settled and explored by Christian missionaries

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

The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 divided the continent up between a number of nations. These nations use their designated areas on the continent mainly to conduct scientific research. Nations pledged to keep Antarctica clean and free of pollution.

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