WG.4 Australia, Pacific Islands, Antarctica Countries: Other: Cities:

Australia, Pacific Islands, and Antarctica

This region has a wide range of climates and types of vegetation : AUSTRALIA - mostly desert with very little vegetation NEW ZEALAND – climate is marine west coast with mixed forests PAPUA NEW GUINEA – mostly tropical rainforest ANTARCTICA – ice cap climate with NO VEGETATION ! PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Australia is isolated from the rest of the world. Many unique animal species found only there: KANGAROOS KOALAS #14 on HW!

Pacific Islands are either continental, coral, or volcanic islands. VOLCANIC - This is due to being part of THE RING OF FIRE Example – Fiji Islands

CORAL- this ring shaped islands also known as: Example – MARSHALL ISLANDS Atoll

CONTINENTAL Example: Papua New Guinea #9 on CH. 28 HW

Economic and Political ANTARCTICA TREATY - created in 1959 by 12 countries. The Treaty demilitarized Antarctica and established the continent as a haven for scientific study. The countries in this section are isolated from the rest of the world. Air and water travel are essential to bring goods and services to the region. The interior of Australia(called the OUTBACK) Depends heavily on air travel.

OUTBACK

The dry and steppe areas of Australia are well suited for cattle and sheep ranching What type of economic activity? PRIMARY!

CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS The Pacific Islands are very sparsely populated. Most people in Australia live along the coasts. The interior is sparsely populated because this region is mostly desert!

Australia and New Zealand are very developed countries. Most people live in modern cities.

Many of the Pacific islands are developing regions. Many people in these regions are subsistence farmers living in rural areas. Traditional cultures dominates these islands. What do you think they live in? FALE!

Village in Western Samoa

Aborigines of Australia Maori of New Zealand having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment Indigenous #1 on CH. 29 HW #3 on Ch. 29 HW

There are no permanent residents of Antarctica ! Countries send teams of scientists to do research. #22 CH. 28 HW

Sydney Opera House

Research station in Antarctica

Thatched roof dwellings(Pacific Islands) #23 on CH. 29