The Pacific Islands A.K.A - Oceania

Section 1Objectives Identify the main physical features of the Pacific Islands region and the physical processes that affect them. Explain how the the Pacific Islands region is divided into subregions. Describe the climates, biomes, and resources found in the region.

Physical Features The Pacific Ocean- This is the largest natural feature on Earth. 1/3 of the worlds surface 10,000 + Islands in this region Islands here are either High Islands or Low Islands High Islands are usually mountainous and are formed from volcanoes. Low Islands are formed from coral build up.

Coral is formed by colonies of tiny marine life Coral is formed by colonies of tiny marine life. Millions of skeletons build up and form coral reefs. Coral reefs provide food and shelter for much of the marine life. Coral reefs have been called the rain forests of the ocean because of he biological diversity. 25% of all ocean species are found in coral reefs. Coral Reefs

Physical Processes High Islands typically have rich volcanic soil. The variation in elevation allows high islands to receive rain. Rain Shadow Effect! Low Islands typically less fertile, and often have no sources of freshwater. Very tectonically active here Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and resulting tsunamis

Mariana Trench The average depth of the Pacific Ocean in 14,000 feet. The deepest point, the Mariana Trench, is more than 36,000 feet below sea level. Oceanic trenches are the result of plate subduction. Volcanic ridges often run parallel to the trenches.

Three Island Groups The Pacific Islands are divided into 3 subregions Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia Melanesia – Lies closest to Australia, Mostly mountains and Volcanoes Micronesia – East of the Philippines, north of the Equator Polynesia – Largest of the 3 subregions

Climates, Biomes, and Resources Most of the region’s islands lie in between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Climates are generally hot with high rainfall Fish and shellfish are very important resource Lobsters, octopuses, sharks, shrimp, and tuna Cultured Pearls are harvested from oysters. Timber

Section 2 Objectives Identify some important events in the region’s history Describe the traditions and culture of the region

European Arrival Europeans began to explore the Pacific Islands in the 1500’s Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese sailor but who was working for Spain, was the first to arrive Spanish, Dutch, British and French all came exploring------then Germany, Japan, and the United States began searching for colonies in the region. The French used their island colony, New Caledonia, as a prison.

European Influence Lots of whale hunting in the region-----whale oil was used for lighting and industrial uses before the discovery of Petroleum. Diseases like influenza and measles were spread to the local islanders. Many islanders were enslaved, and many traditions were lost. The islands became battlefields between 1941 and 1945---- WWII. After the war, the United States has remained as a presence---- several military bases in Guam, Wake Island, and American Samoa.

Traditions and Culture There are many variations to culture here, but there are some generalizations about cultural features that exist all over the pacific islands. Many languages and cultures developed independently because of the huge amount of ocean in between islands. On New Guinea, thick rain forests and large mountains separated people---more than 700 languages are spoken on the Island of New Guinea. Some Pacific people have developed simplified universal languages based on English called pidgin languages.

Education and Religion Almost all children in Polynesia and Micronesia now receive education through the high school level. Schooling is not yet available to everyone in Melanesia. There are several universities that mostly teach in English. Early traditional religions— people worshiped many gods—carved statues, costumes, masks and dance were usually part of religious rituals. Christianity is the main religion of in the Pacific Islands today.

Food Before the Euros there were 3 main root crops--Sweet potatoes, Taro, and yams 3 main tree crops were bananas, breadfruit, and coconut. Coconut palm was particularly useful Eat the soft flesh Drank the milk Used the shells as containers Made roofs and baskets

Food Fish is the main source of protein Before Euros---domesticated animals were limited chickens, dogs, and pigs. No dogs lived on the Marquesas Islands Pigs were usually served at only special celebrations. Celebrations were ranked based on the number of pigs served.

Traditional Societies Historically people were placed into tribes or clans. People inherited their rank and the chiefs often distributed land and organized work. Often, in Polynesia, the competition for land, resources, and status led to war. Elsewhere, people placed less emphasis on inherited rank. People could gain status by giving feasts or presenting valuable gifts. In Micronesia, groups were often Matrilineal. That is, people traced kinship through the mother.

Section 3 Objectives Describe the economies of the Pacific Islands Identify some demographic characteristics of the region. Examine some challenges that the people of the region face.

Economy Economies in the islands have always depended on trade because of the uneven distribution of resources. There are very limited resources on the islands, so many places still rely on fishing and subsistence farming for food. Coconut oil and coconut meat---copra---have been major exports.

Population and Migration Very low total population, but some of the smaller islands are densely populated The search for jobs, education, and a better standard of living has pushed people to move to other islands or other countries. Often it is the skilled worker who moves away, leaving only inept people on the islands.

Facing Challenges Economic development is hurting the environment Overmining Cutting forests Overfishing France, Britain, and the U.S have all used their Pacific territories to test nuclear weapons. Radiation still exists there today. With global warming, ice caps are melting. This could cause flooding on some of the low islands.