Unit 10 Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Islands

Physical Characteristics This area includes more than 20,000 islands These islands consist of three types of islands (high, low, and continental) High islands are mountainous and usually volcanic Low islands are typically coral islands (atolls) Continental islands are extensions of the continental shelf

New Zealand is made up of 2 islands (N & S) The North Island is flatter and has most of the farm land The South Island is more mountainous

Australia is the smallest continent; it can also be considered an island The Great Dividing Range is a mountain chain, in the east of Australia, that separates much of the population from the interior of Australia (outback) The outback area of Australia is an area of plains and plateaus The Great Barrier Reef is located off of the Northeastern coast of Australia The fact that Australia is an island has led to isolation from the rest of the world which has resulted in unique animal life (koala, kangaroo, platypus)

Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent Even though most of the continent is under ice it contains mountains, plateaus, and valleys

Climate The climates in this region varies Most of the islands have tropical climates There are also humid subtropical and marine west coast climates in Australia and New Zealand Most of Australia dry (arid and semiarid) This climate is due to the Great Dividing Range which prevents moisture from reaching the interior of Australia Antarctica’s climate is icecap and there is very little precipitation

Economic Characteristics Australia and N. Zealand rely on ranching and mining (primary activities) Australia has increased its mining industry recently (diamonds, lead, iron ore, gold) There has been little money to invest in creating roads and buildings, so they rely on foreign investment Foreign investors control ½ of the industry and take that money with them

Australia’s dry areas are well suited for cattle and sheep ranching In some cases the animals outnumber the people N. Zealand’s climate and land make it more suitable for farming than Australia Both nations rely heavily on the export of wool and food products (UGGS) N. Zealand also has a good wood and paper industry Both nations are developed, but do not rely on manufacturing and have an increasing service industry

The island nations rely on subsistence activities to survive Most societies are village type societies and are centered around fishing and farming They primarily produce food, clothing and shelter for themselves Agricultural products from the Pacific islands include sugar, coffee, cocoa, and copra Air and water travel bring goods and services to the remote areas of the Pacific region (Australia and N. Zealand included)

Tourism is also a large part of the economy of this region This has caused some problems in that hotels and stores must be built which takes away land from the natives of these areas

Cultural Characteristics Most of the people in Australia and N. Zealand are of British descent In Aus. And N. Zealand Christianity is the major religion 85 % of the people live in cities or towns (Aus. and N. Zealand) In Australia most of the population lives near the coast The ranching population is far removed from the cities The cultures here also reflect the mixture of European and indigenous cultures like the Aborigines and Maori

The Pacific islands are sparsely populated The culture is related to the isolation of these island nations from the rest of the world Traditional culture continues to shape lives in the Pacific islands The Pacific Islands are divided into 3 regions (Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia) Traditional religions are still found over the Pacific Islands, but Christianity is wide spread thanks to missionaries who came to the islands in the early 1900’s

Places and Things of Interest

Sydney, Australia

Sydney Opera House

Harbour Bridge Sydney, Australia

Tahiti

Melbourne, Australia