1. The Pacific Islands Preview Section 1: Natural Environments
World Geography Today
11/14/2018
The Pacific Islands
Preview
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 32

2. Section 1: Natural Environments
Read to Discover
What are the main physical features of the Pacific Islands, and what physical processes affect them?
How is the Pacific Islands region divided into subregions?
What climates, biomes, and resources does the region have?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments
Question
What are the similarities and differences between the Pacific’s high islands and low islands?

4. Section 1: Natural Environments
HIGH ISLANDS
LOW ISLANDS
Subject
to natural phenomena such as volcanoes
Formed by volcanoes or oceanic rock
• Made of coral
• Small and flat
Mountainous and rocky
• Often ring-shaped
• Generally found in groups
Fresh water
• Little freshwater
Rich, volcanic soils
• Thin soil

5. Section 1: Natural Environments
Physical Features
High and Low Islands
High islands—Continental or oceanic (continental rock or volcanic); usually mountainous
Low islands—Coral; usually small and flat
Atolls (ring-shaped coral islands)—Surround lagoons
Different environments—Richer soils, more vegetation on high islands

6. Section 1: Natural Environments
Physical Processes
Tectonic forces form volcanic islands and ocean trenches.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis are common in some areas.
Coral islands form around volcano edges; island sinks, leaving atoll.

7. Section 1: Natural Environments
Three Island Subregions
Melanesia—Closest to Australia (includes eastern New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji)
Micronesia—East of Philippines (includes Caroline Islands, Gilbert Islands of Kiribati, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands)
Polynesia—Largest subregion (huge triangle from Easter Island to Hawaii to New Zealand; includes Cook, Marquesas, Samoa, Society, and Tonga Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago)

8. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates and Biomes
Climates—Hot and rainy; only New Guinea has highland zones; some distinct wet-dry seasons
Trade winds play key role; also typhoons
Thick tropical rain forests in areas of heavy rainfall

9. Section 1: Natural Environments
Resources
Key resources—Fish and shellfish (lobster, octopus, shark, shrimp, tuna, oysters)
Pearls from oysters in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands
Few other resources—Some timber (Papua New Guinea); some metals (gold and copper in Papua New Guinea; nickel in New Caledonia)

10. Section 2: History and Culture
Read to Discover
What are some important events in the history of the region?
What are the traditions and culture of the region like?

11. Section 2: History and Culture
Question
What are some of the foreign influences in the history of the Pacific Islands region?

12. Section 2: History and Culture
1520s Europeans begin to explore the Pacific Islands.
1898 United States captures Guam.
1940s Pacific region becomes the site for World War II battles and bases.
Post-World War II Many islands move away from colonization to independence.
1500
1900
1950
2000

13. Section 2: History and Culture
Early migrations settled islands thousands of years ago.
Europeans arrived in 1500s; first Magellan, then others.
Race for colonies developed; by late 1800s foreign powers controlled the region.
Whale hunters disrupted life and culture, spread disease.

14. Section 2: History and Culture
History (continued)
Colonial rule became more organized—plantations, military bases.
World War II brought sudden changes; creation of trust territories after war.
Islands have varied political status—some independent; some still colonies or associated with outside powers.

15. Section 2: History and Culture
Traditions and Culture
Many variations in ethnicity and language
European or pidgin languages often used between groups
Traditional foods—Root crops (taro, yams), fruits (bananas, breadfruit, coconut), fish
Modern foods—Domesticated livestock, imported processed foods, sugarcane as cash crop

16. Section 2: History and Culture
Traditions and Culture (continued)
Religion—Native spirit religions and Christianity
Traditional social organization—Clans or tribes
Complex rules and social ranks in Polynesia; less rigid elsewhere
Matrilineal descent in Micronesia
Art linked to religion (carvings)

17. Section 3: The Region Today
Read to Discover
What are the economies of the Pacific Islands region like?
What are some demographic characteristics of the region?
What challenges do the people of the region face?

18. Section 3: The Region Today
Question
How are the Pacific Islands’ economies, demography, and challenges linked?

19. Section 3: The Region Today
Economic activities like mining have damaged the environment.
Small markets on islands make industrialization difficult.
Population growth has resulted in overcrowding.
The Pacific Today
Ethnic divisions have sometimes led to political violence.
Emigration has led to shortage of skilled workers.

20. Section 3: The Region Today
Economic Features
Trade—Traditional inter-island trade now more global
Development—Small markets, limited resources
Common activities—Fishing, subsistence farming
Commercial agriculture—Coconut oil, copra, cacao, pineapples, vanilla

21. Section 3: The Region Today
Economic Features (continued)
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)—Surround islands; income from user fees
Mining—Important to New Guinea, New Caledonia, Nauru
Export—Textiles and clothing
Tourism—Important to Tahiti and Tonga

22. Section 3: The Region Today
Demographic Features
Small population, but high population density on some islands
Few big cities, but rapid urban growth
Substantial migration and emigration
Cause of migration—Population growth (natural increase)
Labor shortage caused by emigration

23. Section 3: The Region Today
Challenges
Rapid population growth
Effects of economic development on environment (deforestation, mining)
Nuclear testing (radiation and health problems)
Climate (global warming leading to submersion and storm vulnerability)
Political violence (Bougainville, Fiji)

24. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
World Geography Today
11/14/2018
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
1. What are the two types of islands in the Pacific? What are their origins?
2. What geographic factors helped a large number of languages to develop in the region?
3. What food crops have traditionally been important in the region? What uses did Pacific Islanders find for the coconut palm?
4. Why is manufacturing not a major factor in the region’s economy?
5. What are the three patterns of human movement in the Pacific Islands today?
Chapter 32