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Australia & Oceania Notes
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Physical Geography of Australia…
Known as the Land Down Under because of its southern location “under” the equator It is both a country and a continent. Divided into 3 regions: Great Dividing Range Central Lowlands Western Plateau Pink – Western Plateau Yellow – Central Lowlands Green – Great Dividing Range
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Physical Geography of Australia…
Great Dividing Range contains most of the mountains and hills Divides the flow of Australia’s rivers Central Lowlands thick area of pasture lands that run through the middle of Australia. Great Artesian Basin – waters are pressurized and come naturally to the surface Western Plateau Covers nearly 2/3 of Australia Dry desert Called the Outback Three deserts cover the outback: the Great Sandy, the Great Victoria, and the Great Gibson.
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Physical Geography of Australia…
The Great Barrier Reef Located off Australia’s northeastern coast. The reef is one of the world’s most famous natural wonders The reef is made of coral formed by the limestone skeletons of tiny sea animals
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Bodies of Water… Rivers Oceans Lakes Seas Darling River Murray River
Indian Ocean Pacific Ocean Lakes Lake Eyre Seas Tasman Sea Coral sea Philippine Sea
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Natural Resources… Rich in mineral and energy sources
6% of Australia’s land is arable Many areas are used for grazing Australia is the leading producer of wheat, cattle, & sheep Water is a scarce resource Some other resources: uranium, bauxite, iron-ore, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, silver Sources of energy: coal, oil, and natural gas Green is arable & more habitable land
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Climate… Second driest continent
The Western Plateau is the driest area 2/3 of Australia has arid or semiarid climate Low elevation Lies between 20° and 30° south latitude The southern coasts have a Mediterranean climate
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Animals and vegetation…
Many endemic species Because Australia separated from other continents, unique plants and animals developed Many marsupials – mammals that carry their young in pouches Kangaroo Wallaby Koala Two native forms of vegetation dominate the region: Acacia Eucalyptus trees
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Physical Geography of Oceania…
Consists of three major island groups: Melanesia – lies closest to Australia Solomon Islands Fiji Micronesia – lies east of the Philippines Guam Marshall Islands Polynesia – largest of the three Cook Islands Samoa
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Physical Geography of Oceania…
High Islands Rocky & mountainous islands 2 types of high islands: Continental Islands Not formed by volcanoes Most of the larger islands Example: Papua New Guinea (world’s 2nd largest island) Oceanic Islands Volcanic islands that have formed from ocean floor Part of the Ring of Fire Lowland Islands Formed from coral Low islands tend to have a ring shape Ring-shaped coral islands is called an atoll Within the atoll lies a shallow body of water called a lagoon
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Climate of Oceania… Most of region lies between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn Climates are generally hot with high rainfall Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) – area where trade winds meet near the equator creating humid and rainy conditions
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Natural Resources of Oceania…
Fish & shellfish are important resources Export: lobsters, octopus, shrimp & tuna Cultured pearls harvested from oysters Gold, copper, and nickel are found on large continental islands
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Physical Geography of New Zealand…
A group of mountainous islands covered with forest 1,000 miles southeast of Australia Divided into 2 major islands separated by Cook Strait: North Island Lake Taupo Tectonically active islands South Island Southern Alps Includes Mt. Cook (highest point) Many glaciers
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Natural Resources of New Zealand
Main resource is good farmland Energy sources: Hydroelectric power is produced from New Zealand’s rivers Hydroelectricity provides roughly 65% of the power Use hot steam from volcanoes for geothermal energy New Zealand does not have many large mineral deposits Global supplier of wool, sheep, forests products and fish
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Climate & Vegetation of New Zealand
Marine west coast climate—rainfall year round with mild temperatures. Small shrubs called manuka cover the area
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Physical Geography of Antarctica
Twice the size of Australia Ice is nearly 2 miles thick Ice covers 95 % of land mass The Transantarctic Mountains divide the continent into two regions Krill a shrimp like animal is used for food.
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Climate… Coldest, windiest, most isolated continent
Lowest temperature = -128°F Summer temperatures are still below freezing Receives 2 inches of precipitation per year
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Exploration… Called the “continent for science and peace” as defined by the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959 This means NO political borders, no military activity, no nuclear waste or explosions, and NO national claims to ownership Madrid Protocol (1991) 32 countries signed Formed an agreement to protect Antarctica Banned oil and gas exploration for 50 years The key to Antarctica’s scientific value has been its isolation because it has been untouched by humans for so many years No country owns Antarctica but 7 countries have claimed portions of it.
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Population of Australia
Smallest continent 92% of population is of British or other European ancestry 7% of population is of Asian descent 19 million people live in Australia Largest populated country in the South Pacific Cities are located on the coastal regions 85% of Australia’s population lives in urban areas
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Population of Oceania…
New Zealand Many people live along coast Most of New Zealand’s population is of British descent Maori are the largest minority group making up 10% of population More than 80% New Zealand’s population lives in urban areas Pacific Islands Population is low Great deal of emigration out of the region
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Australian History… Australia’s first people were the aborigines
Came to Australia more than 40,000 years ago from southeast Asia Nomadic lifestyle Hunted with spears, nets, & boomerangs Coastal areas – focused on fishing
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Early Settlement… British settled Australia as a prison colony
Other people came to farm or raise sheep 1851 – gold was discovered attracting more settlers Many settlers forced Aborigines off their land Aborigines were wiped out by European diseases
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European Settlement… As settlers continued to arrive, more towns and colonies were founded 1901 – six colonies were joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia Maintained close ties and accepted British king/queen as chief of state
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History of Oceania… First people to settle New Zealand were the Maori from the Pacific islands (AD 750) Micronesians – Developed trade with Melanesia and Asia Some Micronesians were linked genetically to Aborigines Polynesians – overseas trade and farming and fishing
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Europeans in the South Pacific…
Early Explorers 1500s – Europeans began to explore the South Pacific 1642 – Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became first European to reach New Zealand Captain James Cook explored South Pacific & made contact with Maori Between 1768 and 1779 – claimed east coast of Australia for Great Britain, and sailed around Antarctica First European settlers in New Zealand were missionaries & traders from Great Britain
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Continuing European Interest…
Australia Introduced sheep, cattle, and horses New Zealand Settlers were attracted to good soil and fishing British settlers signed treaty with Maori taking control of lands Treaty provided that British had to protect Maori rights Maori Wars fought from 1845 – 1872 in which Maori lost 1907 – New Zealand became independent country Antarctica Not explored South Pole – reached by Roald Amundsen in 1911 Oceania Settled by Christian missionaries Christianity widespread among natives Continuing European Interest…
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Struggle for Imperial Power…
1898 – U.S. gained control of Philippines & Guam through the Spanish-American War By late 1800s – foreign powers controlled nearly entire region Built plantations, military bases, and fishing outposts Japan gained control during WWII Bloody fighting as Allies pushed Japan back Made some nations territories – areas in South Pacific placed under Western temporary control Some are now self-governing – others still under U.S. influence
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Culture… Language Religion
English is the official language of Australia & New Zealand Australians speak with a distinct “Aussie” accent People of Papua New Guinea speak 700 different languages Reflecting colonialism – English & French are spoken Religion Majority of people are Christian Asian immigration has brought Buddhism and Islam Aborigines emphasize spiritual ties to the land
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Aussie Translations… Can you translate these Australian words? Biscuit
Clicks Dunny Esky G’day Mozzies Oz Roo Saltie Shark biscuit
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Aussie Translations… Biscuit……………………….cookie
Clicks………………………..kilometer Dunny……………………….restroom Esky…………………………ice chest G’day………………………..hello Mozzies……………………..mosquitoes Oz……………………………Australia Roo…………………………..kangaroo Saltie…………………………saltwater crocodile Shark biscuit………………...inexperienced diver
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Government Today… Parliamentary Democracy Democratic Republic
Australia New Zealand Democratic Republic Kiribati Nauru Vanuatu Constitutional Monarchy Tonga Western Samoa U.S. Territories American Samoa Guam Governed by French Polynesia Antarctica no official government no permanent settlements
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Economy… Australia New Zealand
Well developed economy & high per capita GDP ($23,200) Export mostly raw materials Imports mostly manufactured goods Many people work in service industry Trade partners include Asian nations and United States New Zealand Combination of fishing, farming, and tourism Exports: wool, meat, fish, dairy products Sheep outnumber people 13:1
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Agriculture… Only 6% of land is good for farming
Australia and New Zealand export large quantities of meat and wool Australia is leading wool producing country Ranching Graziers, or herders tend to large ranches called stations Farming Copra – the dried meat from the coconut palms is the only farm export. Wheat is Australia’s most important crop
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Mining & Manufacturing…
important part of the economy Leading producer of diamonds, bauxite, opal, and lead Also leading producers of coal, copper, and iron ore Many island countries may benefit one day from mineral deposits on the ocean floor Manufacturing Some countries are moving toward manufacturing of clothing and textiles Country Reserve (in million carats) Australia 230 Botswana 225 China 20 Congo 350 South Africa 150
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Tourism… Tourists are drawn each year to clear blue water and white sand Draw visitors from around the world but especially from U.S. & Japan Vital industry for islands such as Fiji & Tahiti
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Environmental Issues…
Cane Toads in Australia Cane toads Introduced toads into the cane fields to eat the bugs No natural enemy—they were poisonous Brush tail possum was introduced in 1837 Carried a disease that is deadly to the cattle population
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Environmental Issues…
Phosphate Mining Chemical used to make fertilizer Strip mining has destroyed the topsoil Logging More than 1/3 of the Australia’s woodlands have been cleared Nuclear Testing France, Great Britain, and U.S. used their Pacific territories as nuclear testing grounds 1940s and 1950s – U.S. tested on Bikini Atoll on the Marshall islands
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Environmental Issues…
Global warming is special worry for people of the Pacific As polar ice melts, ocean levels rise Many of these islands may be submerged or vulnerable to storms Ozone depletion is the greatest danger to this area. Fear that global warming will kill the Krill
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