Australia and OceaniaAustralia and Oceania

Chapter 14: Section 1Chapter 14: Section 1

Geography of Australia and Geography of Australia and New Zealand New Zealand

Chapter PerspectiveChapter Perspective In the late 1700s, Australia became an In the late 1700s, Australia became an

outpost of European settlement in the outpost of European settlement in the Pacific. Pacific.

There, and in New Zealand to the There, and in New Zealand to the southeast, Europeans overwhelmed the southeast, Europeans overwhelmed the original people and set up their own original people and set up their own cultures.cultures.

Despite their remoteness, the people of Despite their remoteness, the people of the region are part of today’s the region are part of today’s interdependent world.interdependent world.

33 Chapter Themes Chapter Themes

Geographic isolation allowed the people of Geographic isolation allowed the people of Australia and Oceania to develop their own Australia and Oceania to develop their own distinct cultures.distinct cultures.

The migration of westerners to the Pacific The migration of westerners to the Pacific region changed the ethnic and cultural region changed the ethnic and cultural patterns of the region.patterns of the region.

Australia and Oceania are linked to the Australia and Oceania are linked to the world economy and have taken an active world economy and have taken an active role in world affairs.role in world affairs.

Geography and WeatherGeography and Weather

TermsTerms

Outback – Australia's vast, dry Outback – Australia's vast, dry interior regioninterior region

Geothermal Energy – energy that Geothermal Energy – energy that comes from heat released naturally comes from heat released naturally in geysers, hot springs, and in geysers, hot springs, and volcanoesvolcanoes

IsolationIsolation

In the past, Australia developed with In the past, Australia developed with little outside contact. Modern little outside contact. Modern transportation and communications transportation and communications have brought Australians closer to have brought Australians closer to the outside world, which has helped the outside world, which has helped its development.its development.

TopographyTopography Australia is the world’s largest island Australia is the world’s largest island

and smallest continent.and smallest continent. Population = 18.7 millionPopulation = 18.7 million Square miles = 3 millionSquare miles = 3 million Australia broke off the Asian Australia broke off the Asian

mainland over 20 million years agomainland over 20 million years ago Only area to have the kangaroo, Only area to have the kangaroo,

koala bear, and duck-billed platypuskoala bear, and duck-billed platypus

Unique WildlifeUnique Wildlife

LandformsLandforms

Australia – plateau, lowlands, Australia – plateau, lowlands, highlands, and a costal rimhighlands, and a costal rim

Along the east coast is the Great Along the east coast is the Great Dividing RangeDividing Range

East of the range resides about 87% East of the range resides about 87% of Australia’s population.of Australia’s population.

ClimateClimate

The The coastal rimcoastal rim, which receives an , which receives an abundance of rainfall, is the only part abundance of rainfall, is the only part of Australia that can support large-of Australia that can support large-scale farming.scale farming.

This location is also where most This location is also where most people live.people live.

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

Australia – wool, meat, wheat, Australia – wool, meat, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, coal, iron ore, sugarcane, cotton, coal, iron ore, copper , zinc, uranium and lead.copper , zinc, uranium and lead.

New Zealand – fertile land, wool , New Zealand – fertile land, wool , meat, vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, vegetables, fruits, grains, small deposits of coal, natural gas, small deposits of coal, natural gas, and goldand gold

Industry and Natural Industry and Natural ResourcesResources