1. Oceania & Antarctica Exam Review May 2016

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4. The Pacific Islands The Big Idea The Pacific Islands have tropical climates, rich cultures, and unique challenges. Main Ideas Unique physical features, tropical climates, and limited resources shape the physical geography of the Pacific Islands. Native customs and contact with the western world have influenced the history and culture of the Pacific Islands. Pacific Islanders today are working to improve their economies and protect the environment.

5. Main Idea 1: Unique physical features, tropical climates, and limited resources shape the physical geography of the Pacific Islands. The Pacific Islands are divided into three regions— Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. Micronesia—2,000 small islands just east of the Philippines Melanesia—stretches from New Guinea in the west to Fiji in the east Polynesia—means “many islands,” and includes Tonga, Samoa, and the Hawaiian Islands

6. Know the different regions and major chains such As the Marshalls, Marquesas, and Marianas. Also know New Guinea, and Hawaii.

7. Physical Features The Pacific Islands differ greatly. Some islands are high islands. – High islands are mountainous and rocky. – High islands can be volcanic or formed from continental rock. – Examples of high islands include the islands of Tahiti and Hawaii. Some islands are low islands. – Low islands are typically much smaller than high islands. – Many low islands are atolls, or small, ring-shaped coral islands that surround a lagoon. – Wake Island is an example of a low island atoll.

10. The Pacific Ocean is the largest body of water on the planet, and it exerts tremendous influence over the worlds climate patterns. Many ocean currents create dry conditions in some parts of the Pacific and rainy conditions in other parts. What current influences China and Japan? Chile? NE Russia?

11. The ITCZ, or Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, is located in the center of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Here, wind and ocean currents “converge” or come together. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a country-sized area of floating debris and trash that has accumulated due to wind, currents and of course human deposited waste. How might this affect the environment of the oceans? What can be done about it?

12. El Nino and La Nina are complex conditions in the Pacific Ocean that create abnormal climate conditions for most of the world. During El Nino, Pacific Ocean temperatures are warmer than normal, while La Nina is the opposite: cooler than normal temperatures are found in the Pacific Ocean.

13. Main Idea 2: Native customs and contact with the western world have influenced the history and culture of the Pacific Islands. Early History Began to be settled at least 35,000 years ago Europeans first encountered the Pacific Islands in the 1500s. By the late 1800s European powers such as Spain, Great Britain, and France controlled most of the Pacific Islands. Modern History Guam became a U.S. territory in 1898. Witnessed a lot of fighting during World War II After World War II the United Nations placed some islands under the control of the United States and other Allies. Many Pacific Islands gained their independence in the 1900s. Several countries still have territories in the Pacific Islands.

14. Guam Guam island is a territory of the United States

15. Pacific Island Culture Some culture traits are common throughout the Pacific Islands (example: fishing). Other culture traits are only found on a specific island or island chain. People –Nine million people live in the Pacific Islands today. –Most Pacific Islanders are descendants of the region’s original setters. –Large numbers of ethnic Europeans and Asians also call the Pacific Islands home. –Most Pacific Islanders are Christian. Traditions –Many people continue to practice traditional customs. –People continue to live in ancient villages. –Pacific Islanders practice customary art styles and traditional dances.

16. Main Idea 3: Pacific Islanders today are working to improve their economies and protect the environment. The countries of the Pacific Islands have developing economies. Key industries include fishing, tourism, and agriculture. Although some countries do export minerals and timber, their isolation limits trade. Environmental issues are a concern for many Pacific Islanders. –Nuclear testing grounds from 1940s to 1990s –Global warming and rising ocean levels

17. U.S. Nuclear Testing The Pacific Proving Grounds was the name given by the United States government to a number of sites in the Marshall Islands and a few other sites in the Pacific Ocean at which it conducted nuclear testing between 1946 and 1962.United StatesMarshall IslandsPacific Oceannuclear testing The U.S. tested a nuclear weapon (codenamed Able) on Bikini Atoll on 30 June 1946. This was followed by Baker on July 24, 1946...both are in the Marshall Islands chain.testedAbleBikini Atoll

18. Marshall Islands

19. The many islands of the Pacific region may be 1000’s of miles from other islands and it was not until the development of air travel that these islands began to grow economically. Many are still part of their European colonizers (Tahiti, French Polynesia are still part of France) and have benefitted from trade with Europe. Others like Papua New Guinea are now independent of the United Kingdom. Large areas of Papua New Guinea, however, are still undeveloped and some people here live very primitive lifestyles. Traditions and maintaining culture is more important than modernizing to some.

20. Antarctica

21. The Big Idea Antarctica’s unique environment has made it an important site for research. Main Ideas Freezing temperatures, ice, and snow dominate Antarctica’s physical geography. Exploration in the 1800s and 1900s led to Antarctica’s use for scientific research. Research and protecting the environment are key issues in Antarctica today.

22. Climate Resources Most of Antarctica’s interior is dominated by a freezing ice-cap climate. – Temperatures can drop below −120ºF. – Polar desert—a high-latitude region that receives very little precipitation The continent is in almost total darkness during the winter months. In the summer, the sun shines around the clock. Plant life exists only in the ice-free tundra areas. Insects are the only land animals. Penguins, seals, and, whales live in Antarctica’s water. Antarctica has many mineral resources, including iron ore, gold, copper, and coal. Climate and Resources

23. Main Idea 2: Exploration in the 1800s and 1900s led to Antarctica’s use for scientific research. In 1775 James Cook first sighted the Antarctic Peninsula. In the 1800s explorers first investigated Antarctica. –Many explorers wanted to discover the South Pole. –In 1911 a team of Norwegian explorers reached the South Pole. Several countries claim parts of Antarctica. In 1959 the International Antarctic Treaty was signed to preserve the continent “for science and peace.” –Military activity is banned. –The entire continent is set aside for research.

24. Main Idea 3: Research and protecting the environment are key issues in Antarctica today. Scientific Research Antarctica is the only continent without a permanent human population. Scientists use the continent to conduct research and to monitor the environment. Several countries maintain bases on Antarctica for their research teams. Antarctica research covers a wide range of topics. –The continent’s plant and animal life –Earth’s ozone layer –Weather conditions Environmental Threats People are concerned about Antarctica’s environment. –Trash and sewage left by researchers and tourists –Oil spills –Fear that mining in Antarctica will result in more environmental problems A new international agreement reached in 1991 forbids most activities that do not have a scientific purpose.

25. Antarctica Miscellaneous The “Heavenly Lights” above Antarctica is called the “Aurora Australis.” As many as 5,000 scientists study each summer in Antarctica because unlike the North Pole, which is mostly ice floating on water, Antarctica is an actual land mass…continent.

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