Australia and Oceania

Introduction to Australia Australia is a continent and a country Driest inhabited continent on earth 6 states and 2 territories Sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the USA and Brazil.

Australia’s Physical Geography Mountains – Located mainly on East coast – The Great Dividing Range Plateaus – Located in central and western Australia – Covers almost 2/3 of continent Central Lowlands – Grassland and desert – East central part of Australia

Australia’s Physical Geography (cont) Great Barrier Reef – Largest coral reef – Off Australia’s northeastern coast – Formed from coral, the limestone skeletons of a tiny sea animal – Great Barrier Reef Clip Great Barrier Reef Clip

Introduction to New Zealand

New Zealand’s Physical Geography Two main islands – North Island Beaches, forests, rich soil Volcano’s – South Island Southern Alps—tall Mountain Chain Canterbury Plains—flat, fertile land Western coast—cliffs, caves, fjords

Introduction to the Pacific Islands Over 10,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean Covers 20 million square miles

Pacific Island Physical Geography Thousands of islands formed by tectonic plates or volcanic hot spots Three Island Groups – Melanesia “Black Islands,” north and east of Australia – Micronesia “little islands,” north of Melanesia – Polynesia “many islands” Midway Island in the North to New Zealand

Pacific Island Physical Geography Low Islands – Atolls formed by the buildup of coral reefs on the rim of submerged volcanoes Ring-shaped islands – Lagoons Atolls encircle lagoons Shallow pools of clear water that only rise a few feet over sea level Little soil, few natural resources Continental Islands – Formed by rising and folding rock from the ocean floor

Climate and Vegetation Climate—weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time Vegetation—the plant life of a place

Climate and Vegetation Australia – North: Tropical climates – Interior: Deserts – Eastern, Southern, Southwestern: grasslands and mixed forests

Climate and Vegetation Pacific Islands – Dry season: blue skies – Wet season: constant rain and high humidity – Large Islands: lots of rain, rain forests, typhoons – Small Islands: little rain, only shrubs and grasses New Zealand – Marine west coast climate – North Island: warm during summer, but mountains may have snow year-round – 90% of plants are native only to NZ.

AustraliaNew Zealand Background Aborigines, Arrived from Southeast Asia Currently make up 2% of the population Maori came from the islands of Polynesia. Lived by hunting, fishing, and raising crops. Many traditions still exist.

AustraliaNew Zealand Population Distribution -Uneven distribution of people. -Most live on the coasts in cities or towns. Major Cities: Sydney, Melbourne -Uneven distribution of people. -Most live on the coasts in cities or towns. Major Cities: Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington

AustraliaNew Zealand EducationFree, compulsory education

AustraliaNew Zealand Medical care Most people in cities have access to medical care Treatment-Indigenous people are often denied benefits. - Aborigines suffer from poverty, malnutrition, and unemployment. Indigenous people are often denied benefits.

AustraliaNew Zealand LanguageEnglish (Australian English is Strine)English and Maori Religion-Indigenous peoples focus on the relationship of humans to nature. -Christianity is most widely practiced. -Indigenous peoples focus on the relationship of humans to nature. -Christianity is most widely practiced.

Australian Lingo Guessing Game Take out a sheet of paper. Number 1-14 The person who can get the most right, wins a prize.

Australian VersionAmerican Version 1. Bounce 2. Bloke 3. Mate 4. Shark biscuit 5. Tall poppies 6. True blue 7. Dag 8. Ankle biter 9. Crook 10. Grey hairs 11. Rellie 12. Not the full quid 13. Mug 14. Surfies

Answers Australian VersionAmerican Version 1. Bounce1. Bully 2. Bloke2. boy/man 3. Mate3. buddy/friend 4. Shark biscuit4. New surfer 5. Tall poppies5. Successful people 6. True blue6. Patriotic 7. Dag7. Funny Person, nerd 8. Ankle biter8. Small child 9. Crook9. Sick person 10. Grey hairs10. Old person 11. Rellie11. Family Relative 12. Not the full quid12. Not the most intelligent 13. Mug13. Gullible person 14. Surfies14. People who surf more than work

Europeans Colonized the region, and today, most of the people are of British descent. The British forcibly removed many Aborigines and denied them basic rights. The Maori social structure was weakened when the British introduced new ways of farming and culture. Australia and NZ won their independence in the early 1900s. The new country was a dominion, a largely self- governing country within the British Empire.