ANTARCTICA, AUSTRALIA, & OCEANIA

ANTARCTICA

5 th largest continent 5 th largest continent Types of plants found on Antarctica Types of plants found on Antarctica –Algae, lichens, mosses

1 st to reach the South Pole? 1 st to reach the South Pole? – Roald Amundsen from Norway in 1911

Antarctic Treaty Antarctic Treaty – Signed in 1959 by 12 countries including the United States – Prohibits military activities except to support science – Prohibits nuclear testing – Promotes scientific research & cooperation

Only 1% of Antarctica has been mined for minerals. Only 1% of Antarctica has been mined for minerals. The continent is rich in minerals The continent is rich in minerals coal, copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, oil, & natural gas. The Protocol on Environmental Protection (added to Antarctic Treaty) caused restrictions on mining in The Protocol on Environmental Protection (added to Antarctic Treaty) caused restrictions on mining in – Bans all commercial mineral resource activity (oil & natural gas) – Conservation of flora and fauna – No polluting

AUSTRALIA

The Land Why is Australia unique? Why is Australia unique? – Only country that is also a continent – World’s smallest continent Where do most of Australia’s rivers start? Where do most of Australia’s rivers start? – Great Dividing Range Two rivers supply water for irrigation Two rivers supply water for irrigation – Murray and Darling Rivers

Most of Australia’s water comes from artesian wells. Most of Australia’s water comes from artesian wells. – Water that comes up from underground pressurized water Only 10% of the land is arable (farmable). Only 10% of the land is arable (farmable). – Wheat, barley, fruit, & sugarcane The land of the Outback is used by ranchers to raise cattle, sheep, & chickens. The land of the Outback is used by ranchers to raise cattle, sheep, & chickens. – World’s largest producer of wool

Australia produces ¼ of the world’s bauxite. Australia produces ¼ of the world’s bauxite. – Raw material for aluminum production

Australia is also known for its high quality opals. Australia is also known for its high quality opals.

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. It is actually over 2500 small reefs. It is actually over 2500 small reefs. Over 1800 miles Over 1800 miles Coral is slowly dying because of pollution, warming waters, and human contact. Coral is slowly dying because of pollution, warming waters, and human contact. Actions taken to save the reef Actions taken to save the reef – Pollution control – Fishing restrictions – Part of the reef closed to tourists – Reef Water Quality Protection Plan

Climate Most of the mid-continent of Australia has a desert climate. Most of the mid-continent of Australia has a desert climate. – Vegetation = desert scrubs & desert waste

Southeastern Australia has a tropical rainforest & tropical grassland climate. Southeastern Australia has a tropical rainforest & tropical grassland climate. Some people use wattle for their homes. Some people use wattle for their homes. – Saplings of the acacia tree interwoven to make framework for homes

A Brief History Original inhabitants were the Aborigines. Original inhabitants were the Aborigines.

Aborigines probably originated from southeast Asia. Aborigines probably originated from southeast Asia. Belief in Dreamtime Belief in Dreamtime – System of beliefs that they are connected to all things back to the beginning of time Use the boomerang for hunting Use the boomerang for hunting – Heavy throwing stick – Work of weapon art – Skillfully carved and weighted

Captain James Cook claimed Australia for Great Britain in Captain James Cook claimed Australia for Great Britain in 1770.

What happened to the Aborigines when the British settled in? What happened to the Aborigines when the British settled in? – Europeans removed people from their lands by force. – They also brought diseases that killed many Aborigines. What did Great Britain use Australia for in the late 1700s and early 1800s? What did Great Britain use Australia for in the late 1700s and early 1800s? – Colony for convicts. – British prisons were overcrowded.

What profitable type of livestock was introduced to Australia? What profitable type of livestock was introduced to Australia?SHEEP

Independence Australia became independent from Great Britain in Australia became independent from Great Britain in It became a dominion (self-governing country within the British Empire). It became a dominion (self-governing country within the British Empire). Official name: Commonwealth of Australia Official name: Commonwealth of Australia

Australia Today The country has actively recruited immigrants. The country has actively recruited immigrants. – People from east and southeast Asia have answered the call. Major trading partners? Major trading partners? – Japan & U.S. Strine is spoken by many Australians. Strine is spoken by many Australians. – A unique vocabulary made up of Aboriginal words and Australian slang.

OCEANIA Vanuatu New Zealand Fiji

New Zealand Quick Facts Country made up of 2 islands Country made up of 2 islands – North Island and South Island Most important resource? Most important resource? – Fertile volcanic soil

2 major exports? 2 major exports? – Sheep & wool products – 20 times more livestock than people! – New Zealand ranchers are called graziers.

History Original inhabitants Maori Original inhabitants: Maori Like the Aborigines, the Like the Aborigines, the Maori were forced off their land by the Europeans and faced discrimination & racism. Maori were forced off their land by the Europeans and faced discrimination & racism.

New Zealand shocked the world in 1893 by being the 1 st country to legally recognize women’s right to vote. New Zealand shocked the world in 1893 by being the 1 st country to legally recognize women’s right to vote. New Zealand gained its independence from Great Britain in New Zealand gained its independence from Great Britain in In 1985, NZ banned nuclear-powered ships and those with nuclear weapons from its waters. In 1985, NZ banned nuclear-powered ships and those with nuclear weapons from its waters.

OCEANIA QUICK FACTS The islands were created by colliding tectonic plates and volcanic hot spots. The islands were created by colliding tectonic plates and volcanic hot spots. 3 island types 3 island types – High islands: tops of underwater mountain ranges (Tahiti & Hawaii’s big islands) – Low islands: coral atolls (Nauru & Hawaii’s small islands) – Continental islands: created by the rising and folding of ancient rock from ocean floor (Papua New Guinea)

3 classifications of islands 3 classifications of islands – Melanesia (black islands) – Micronesia (little islands) – Polynesia (many islands)

The country of is the world’s smallest republic and one of the richest countries in the world. The country of Nauru is the world’s smallest republic and one of the richest countries in the world.

Many Pacific islands are trust territories. Many Pacific islands are trust territories. – Created after WWII by the United States – U.S. gave dependent areas to other countries to control. In 1954, the U.S. exploded an atom bomb at Bikini Atoll and other nearby islands. In 1954, the U.S. exploded an atom bomb at Bikini Atoll and other nearby islands. – People were unable to return to the islands. – In the 1990s, the U.S. paid $90 million to decontaminate the areas and create trust funds for the injured.

Fiji is over 30% Hindu. Fiji is over 30% Hindu. – 1000s of East Indians were brought to work on plantations and brought their religion with them.

Most important economic activity in the South Pacific is agriculture. Most important economic activity in the South Pacific is agriculture. – Tropical fruits mainly (banana, coconut, pineapple, mango, etc.) Many Pacific islanders practice subsistence farming. Many Pacific islanders practice subsistence farming. – Growing only enough for a family’s needs