1. Physical Geography: Australia, Oceania & Antarctica

2. 15 School Days Left!

5. Australia, mate!
Is the only place that is considered a country & a continent
In the Southern Hemisphere (which season is it now?)
Only 10% of Australia’s land is arable
Is one of the world’s major mining areas because of its deposits of coal, iron ore & nickel….just to name a few

6. Mountains & Plateaus of Australia
Great Dividing Range
Chain of mountains & hills located on the east coast of Australia
Tasmania: separated by sea
Most rivers begin here, waters most fertile land of the country
Western Plateau—aka: “The Outback”
Central & West Australia; covers 2/3 of Aus.
Includes Great Sandy, Great Victorian Desert(s)
Nullarbar Plain
South of the Great Victoria
Treeless, ends in giant cliffs over Australian Bight (part of Southern Ocean)

8. A dingo in the Great Sandy Desert
Great Victorian Desert

9. Central Lowlands Separates the Great Dividing Range & Western Plateau
Rivers & lakes are dry most of the year
DO fill up with heavy rains, but this doesn’t happen often (smaller rivers support farming)
Underneath: Great Artisan Basin
Water that gushes from artisan wells (from which water flows to surface) are too salty for humans or crops, but used to water livestock

11. Great Barrier Reef
The world’s largest coral reef; located in NE coast of Australia
String of 2,500 small reefs
Formed from coral & extends 1,250 miles— the distance to NYC to Miami
Coral: limestone skeletons of tiny sea animals
Home to lots of tropical fish & underwater animals
Accolades:
National park in Australia
Is named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations

13. Islands of Oceania
Created by colliding tectonic plates, part of the Ring of Fire
Classified into three clusters, based on location, where the islands formed, and culture
Melanesia (“black islands”)
Micronesia (“little islands”)
Polynesia (“many islands”)

14. Island Types High Islands
Landscape features mountain ranges split by valleys
Freshwater, volcanic soil help support agriculture

15. Low Islands
Ring-shaped islands, known as “atolls”, were formed by the buildup of coral reefs on the rim of submerged volcanoes
Little soil, few natural resources found here

16. Continental Islands
Formed by rising and folding of ancient rock from ocean floor
Many have active volcanoes
Have most of Oceania’s mineral deposits  mining industries!

17. New Zealand!

19. The Islands of New Zealand
NZ’s two largest islands makes up 99% of the country’s landmass:
North Island
Golden beaches, forests & rich soil
Also includes plateau featuring hot springs & several active volcanoes (Mt.Ruapehu)
Also includes hills that allow for ranchers to graze sheep & dairy cattle
South Island
Includes Mt. Cook (“Aorangi”—”cloud piercer”) and Southern Alps
High in elevation
Canterbury Plains: NZ’s flattest & most fertile area

21. Natural Resources
55% of the land of New Zealand supports crops & livestock—land is very fertile
Sheep & wool products = top export
Rivers are important!!
Provide hydroelectricity, fulfilling 75% of NZ’s electricity needs
Also use geothermal energy, or energy provided by water heated underground by volcanoes
Wide variety of fish because of cold & warm ocean currents

22. Antarctica

23. Antarctica About twice the size of Australia
Lies at the southern extreme of the world, underneath a massive ice cap which covers about 98% of the landmass
2 miles thick
Holds 70% of the world’s freshwater
Transantarctic Mountains & Antarctic Peninsula divide the continent into two:
East: high, ice-covered plateau; coastal mountains nearby form pathways for glaciers
West: largely below sea level; includes underwater volcanoes

25. A Place for Research Activity limited due to international agreements
Year-round research…what do scientists do there?
Investigate weather patterns
Measure environmental changes
Observe sun & stars in a place that isn’t polluted
Resources
Fishing boats from several countries harvest krill (shrimplike)  maybe help reduce rates of world hunger?