Australia and Oceania Section 1 Geography of Australia and New Zealand

Unit Perspective In the late 1700s, Australia became an outpost of European settlement in the Pacific. In the late 1700s, Australia became an outpost of European settlement in the Pacific. There, and in New Zealand to the southeast, Europeans overwhelmed the original people and set up their own cultures. There, and in New Zealand to the southeast, Europeans overwhelmed the original people and set up their own cultures. Despite their remoteness, the people of the region are part of today’s interdependent world. Despite their remoteness, the people of the region are part of today’s interdependent world.

Unit Themes Geographic isolation allowed the people of Australia and Oceania to develop their own distinct cultures. Geographic isolation allowed the people of Australia and Oceania to develop their own distinct cultures. The migration of westerners to the Pacific region changed the ethnic and cultural patterns of the region. The migration of westerners to the Pacific region changed the ethnic and cultural patterns of the region. Australia and Oceania are linked to the world economy and have taken an active role in world affairs. Australia and Oceania are linked to the world economy and have taken an active role in world affairs.

Geography and Weather Australia Australia

Terms Outback – Australia's vast, dry interior region Outback – Australia's vast, dry interior region Geothermal Energy – energy that comes from heat released naturally in geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes Geothermal Energy – energy that comes from heat released naturally in geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes

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

Topography Australia is the world’s largest island and smallest continent. Australia is the world’s largest island and smallest continent. Population = 18.7 million Population = 18.7 million Square miles = 3 million Square miles = 3 million Australia broke off the Asian mainland over 20 million years ago Australia broke off the Asian mainland over 20 million years ago Only area to have the kangaroo, koala bear, and duck-billed platypus Only area to have the kangaroo, koala bear, and duck-billed platypus

Unique Wildlife Animals and Birds Animals and Birds Dreamtime of the Aborigines - Ancient Civilizations

Landforms Australia – plateau, lowlands, highlands, and a costal rim Australia – plateau, lowlands, highlands, and a costal rim Along the east coast is the Great Dividing Range Along the east coast is the Great Dividing Range East of the range resides about 87% of Australia’s population. East of the range resides about 87% of Australia’s population.

Climate The coastal rim, which receives an abundance of rainfall, is the only part of Australia that can support large-scale farming. The coastal rim, which receives an abundance of rainfall, is the only part of Australia that can support large-scale farming. This location is also where most people live. This location is also where most people live.

Natural Resources Australia – wool, meat, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, uranium and lead. Australia – wool, meat, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, uranium and lead. New Zealand – fertile land, wool, meat, vegetables, fruits, grains, small deposits of coal, natural gas, and gold New Zealand – fertile land, wool, meat, vegetables, fruits, grains, small deposits of coal, natural gas, and gold

Australia-Location, Boundaries and Physical Divisions