Australia, mate! Is the only place that is considered a country & a continent In the Southern Hemisphere (which season is it now?) Only 10% of Australia’s land is arable (can be farmed on) Is one of the world’s major mining areas because of its deposits of coal, iron ore & nickel….just to name a few

Mountains & Plateaus of Australia Great Dividing Range Chain of mountains & hills located on the east coast of Australia Tasmania: separated by sea Most rivers begin here, water most fertile land of the country Western Plateau—aka: “The Outback” Central & West Australia; covers 2/3 of Aus. Includes Great Sandy, Great Victorian Desert(s) Nullarbar Plain South of the Great Victoria Treeless, ends in giant cliffs over Australian Bight (part of Indian Ocean)

A dingo in the Great Sandy Desert Great Victorian Desert

Central Lowlands Separates the Great Dividing Range & Western Plateau Rivers & lakes are dry most of the year DO fill up with heavy rains, but this happens very little Underneath: Great Artisan Basin Water that gushes from artisan wells (from which water flows to surface) are too salty for humans or crops, but used to water livestock

Great Barrier Reef The world’s largest coral reef; located in NE coast of Australia String of 2,500 small reefs Formed from coral & extends 1,250 miles— the distance to NYC to Miami Coral: limestone skeletons of tiny sea animals Home to lots of tropical fish & underwater animals Accolades: National park in Australia Is named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations

Islands of Oceania Created by colliding tectonic plates, part of the Ring of Fire Classified into three clusters, based on location, where the islands formed, and culture Melanesia (“black islands”) Micronesia (“little islands”) Polynesia (“many islands”)

Island Types High Islands Landscape features mountain ranges split by valleys Freshwater, volcanic soil help support agriculture Low Islands Ring-shaped islands, known as “atolls”, were formed by the buildup of coral reefs on the rim of submerged volcanoes Little soil, few natural resources found here Continental Islands Formed by rising and folding of ancient rock from ocean floor Many have active volcanoes Have most of Oceania’s mineral deposits  mining industries!

An atoll, or ring-shaped island (low)

New Zealand!

The Islands of New Zealand NZ’s two largest islands makes up 99% of the country’s landmass: North Island Golden beaches, forests & rich soil Also includes plateau featuring hot springs & several active volcanoes (Mt.Ruapehu) Also includes hills that allow for ranchers to graze sheep & dairy cattle South Island Includes Mt. Cook (“Aorangi”—”cloud piercer”) New Zealand’s flattest & most fertile area

Natural Resources 55% of the land of New Zealand supports crops & livestock—land is very fertile Sheep & wool products = top export Rivers are important!! Provide hydroelectricity, fulfilling 75% of NZ’s electricity needs Also use geothermal energy, or energy provided by water heated underground by volcanoes Wide variety of fish because of cold & warm ocean currents

Antarctica

About twice the size of Australia Lies at the southern extreme of the world, underneath a massive ice cap which covers about 98% of the landmass 2 miles thick Holds 70% of the world’s freshwater Transantarctic Mountains & Antarctic Peninsula divide the continent into two: East: high, ice-covered plateau; coastal mountains nearby form pathways for glaciers West: largely below sea level; includes underwater volcanoes

A Place for Research Activity limited due to international agreements Year-round research…what do scientists do there? Investigate weather patterns Measure environmental changes Observe sun & stars in a place that isn’t polluted Resources Fishing boats from several countries harvest krill (shrimplike)  maybe help reduce rates of world hunger?