SE Asia, Oceania, & Antarctica

Southeast Asia consists of mountainous peninsulas and archipelagos Southeast Asia consists of mountainous peninsulas and archipelagos. There are two main peninsulas:

A. Indochina peninsula

B. Malay Peninsula

The mainland of SE Asia has several mountain ranges that run roughly north to south. Annamese Cordillera Bilauktaung Range Arakan Yoma

Island off the coast of Bali Mountains On the islands most mountains have a volcanic origin and are part of the Ring of Fire. Island off the coast of Bali

Rivers in Southeast Asia The longest river in Southeast Asia is the Mekong River. This river starts in the Himalayas and flows through China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea. Millions of people in this region depend on the Mekong for farming and fishing.

Geographers are not sure exactly how many islands there are in Oceania Geographers are not sure exactly how many islands there are in Oceania. Some estimate there are more than 20,000. This number is constantly changing because as some islands vanish due to erosion and new islands are born due to volcanic activity.

New Zealand has two main islands: the North Island the South Island Running down the center of each is the Southern Alps which contain 360 glaciers.

Australia is the smallest and flattest continent on Earth Australia is the smallest and flattest continent on Earth. It has a small mountain range near the eastern coast called, the Great Dividing Range. Australia is rich in minerals, such as, bauxite, diamonds, opals, lead, and coal. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef. This is a 1,250 mile chain of more than 2,500 coral reefs and islands.

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent Antarctica is the fifth largest continent. It is centered on the South Pole and covered by a thick sheet of ice. Geologists believe that the continent may be rich in resources. However in 1991, 26 nations signed a treaty agreeing to not mine Antarctica for 50 years.

Climate Tropical Wet – found in parts of Myanmar, Thailand, and Oceania and most of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Tropical Wet & Dry – found in parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Oceania and northern Australia

Humid subtropical – east coast of Australia, northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. Marine West Coast – southern coast of Australia and New Zealand Desert – one third of Australia is desert. This area is at the center of the continent. Ice cap – Antarctica, can reach temperatures of 70 below zero and has little rainfall