Australia and New Zealand

Population Patterns• The People

– The Aborigines are Australia’s earliest people, and one of the world’s oldest surviving culture.

– They makeup only 2 percent of Australia’s population, with approximately 315,000 people. • Made up of several different groups that live in specific regions.

– The Arrente have lived in central Australia for about 20,000 years– The Palawa have lived on the island Tasmania for 32,000 years

• They feel a direct relationship to the landscape, and believe in Dreamtime.– The Maori lived in New Zealand and survived by hunting, fishing and raising crops– The Europeans began sailing around Australia and New Zealand in the late 1500’s, and

began colonizing the region.• Today most of the area’s people are of British descent.

– In recent years, an increasing number of East and Southeast Asians have moved to the region for economic opportunities.

• Density and Distribution– The regions physical geography results in the uneven distribution of its people.

• In Australia most of the population lives in the southeastern, eastern and southwestern coasts, while in New Zealand most of the populations lives along the coast.

– Most of the population that lives along the coast lives in towns or cities.• Sydney and Melbourne are Australia’s largest cities and are also the regions

major commercial ports.• Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are New Zealand’s largest cities.

History and Government• Early Peoples

– The earliest settlers migrated across land bridges during the Ice Age.• The early Aborigines led a nomadic life, using well traveled routes to reach water

and food.• They lived and traveled with their clan, carrying very little and using boomerangs

to hunt with.– As trade began to increase so did migration between islands.

• Between 900 and 1300 the Maori began to leave Polynesia and settled in New Zealand

• They lived in villages and grew traditional root crops. • European Exploration

– Beginning in the 1500’s, Europeans began exploring vast stretches of the South Pacific.• The British sailor James Cook had the most well known exploration.• He undertook three voyages between 1768 and1779, and claimed eastern

Australia for Britain.• He also circles Antarctica and produced records and maps of these regions.

– In 1788, Great Britain was becoming over crowded and started sending convicts to Australia.• In 1850, Great Britain had stopped this practice and free settlers were

arriving to establish farms and settlements.• The new settlers introduced livestock to the region, and they began

exporting wool to Britain. – At the same time, European nations were establishing settlements in New

Zealand.• This region offered fishing and rich soil

– The arrival of the Europeans had a disastrous affect on the native population in Australia.• Many Aborigines were removed from their land and then denied of their

basic rights• Disease and violence steadily reduced the Aborigine population.• In the 1800’s many Aborigines were placed on reserves

– The native population in New Zealand also endured hardships.• The Maori social structure was weakened when new farming techniques

were introduced by the British• In the 1800’s, the Maori tried to fight British rule, however, during the 15

years of fighting many Maori were killed and much of their land was lost.

• Independence

– Both Australia and New Zealand were able to achieve their independence for Great Britain peacefully.

– In 1901, the Australian states formed to together to form the Commonwealth of Australia.• The new country was a dominion within the British Empire.• This government was a blend between a U.S. style federal system with a British-

style parliamentary system.– In 1907, New Zealand became a self- governing dominion.

• Has a British parliamentary system.– Following WWII, the two countries have forged economic and political ties with the

U.S.• The Aborigines and the Maori have gained recognition and become politically

active.Culture• Education and Health care

– Education varies throughout both regions. • Both countries provide free compulsory education, and the region enjoys a

literacy rate above 99 percent.• However, students in the remote areas of the region turn in assignments via mail,

and communicate with teachers by two- way radio.

– Generally, the region enjoys access to quality health care and other social services.– There are remote regions that have a difficult time gaining health care.

• Modern technology allows doctors to consult with patients by radio.– Most of the native population suffers from poverty, malnutrition and unemployment.

• Language and Religion

– English is the language spoken by the majority of the population in both regions. • Australian English is a unique balance between old Aboriginal language and

modern English. – In New Zealand, Maori is also spoken is also spoken in certain areas.– The indigenous people’s religious traditions focus on the relationship between

humans and nature.• Believe that all natural things have spirits and are interrelated.

– Europeans eventually brought Christianity to the region, and it is the most widely practice religion in both regions today.

• The Arts and Leisure– The people of the region have traditionally used art, music, dance and storytelling to

pass on knowledge. – The region’s sports and leisure have been greatly influenced by its colonial heritage

• Participate in activities like cricket, tennis, boating, fishing and waterskiing.

Oceania

Population Patterns

• Many Peoples– People first began to migrate to the region more than 30,000 years ago.

• As migrants continued to arrive they settled into three major groups.– Melanesia

• Located in the southwestern Pacific, Melanesia is mixture of independent island countries and French- ruled countries.– This includes the independent countries of Papua New Guinea, Fiji and

Solomon Islands, and the French-ruled country of New Caledonia. • Even among groups living on the same island the cultures are vastly different

– Micronesia• This region is located in the western Pacific, and consists of the independent

countries of the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru and Kiribati. – Also the U.S. territories of Guam and the Mariana Islands.

– Polynesia• It is located in the central Pacific Ocean and consist of three independent

countries, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu, and other island groups, known as French Polynesia. – This includes Tahiti, Polynesia’s largest island.

• The largest population of Polynesia lives on the Samoan island.

– Asians

• Chinese traders and South Asian workers settled parts of Oceania during the 1800’s.

• Density and Distribution– Oceania spans a very vast area, but much of the area is unsuited for

human habitation.• The population is unevenly distributed amongst the countries.• Papua New Guinea has an approximate population of 5.9 million

people, while Nauru only has a population of 10,000.• Most of the islands population lives on the coasts.

– The population of Oceania is expanding rapidly because of its young population. • It is growing at rate of 2.3 percent

– Oceania is made up of 25,000 islands, but only totals 551,000 square miles. • Population density varies greatly throughout the region.• Although Papua New Guinea has the largest population, it only has a

population density of 33 people.

History and Government• Early Migrants

– Asian migrants were the first to settle Oceania, and they did so by traveling in family groups and settling along the coasts. • They survived by eating fish, turtles and shrimp• Eventually they planted root crops and raised small animals.

– They used well built canoes to expand trade amongst the islands. • They developed a monetary system, a long string of shell pieces, to make

trade easier. • In Papua New Guinea this system is still used in particular circumstances.

• European Colonization– When Europeans began to arrive in the 1800s, they developed commercial

plantations.– The Europeans also brought with them disease that depleted the native

population. • Brought in workers from other areas to make up for the shortage.• This mix of cultures led to violent ethnic conflicts

– During the late 1800s and early 1900s, several European nations and the United States fought to control parts of the region. • They wanted to acquire new sources of raw material

– WWI and WWII drastically altered the History of Oceania. • Following the first World War, Germany lost many of its Pacific colonies to

Japanese rule. • The Pacific Islands of Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal were battle grounds to some of

the wars most fierce fighting.• Following the fall of the Japanese Empire, many of the South Pacific countries

were turned over to the United States as trust territories. • Since the 1970s, most of these islands have become independent countries.

Culture• Sports and Leisure

– The regions western- style resorts attract tourists from around the world where they enjoy the traditional sport of surfing.• Canoe racing or spear fishing are very popular, and where American traditions

persist baseball is very popular. • The French also introduced cycling and islands to the regions they controlled

• Language and Religion – Due to the vast distance between the islands, groups developed many different

languages without interference. • There are 1,200 different languages spoken in Oceania

– As Europeans began to colonize they brought with them their various languages.• French and pidgin English are widely spoken throughout the region.

– Various forms of Christianity are practiced throughout the South Pacific islands, but Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Oceania

• Education and Health Care

– Both education and health care varies greatly throughout the region. – Until the 1970s, missionaries were responsible for primary education

in many parts of the region.– However, today secondary schools and universities are common in

parts of Oceania.– Literacy rates also vary throughout the region.

• Fiji enjoys a literacy rate of 93 percent, while only 57 percent of women and 71 percent of men in Papua New Guinea can read.

– Many parts of the region suffer from poor economies and low standards of living.• Many islands lack adequate resources, such as fresh food and

electricity.– Living conditions have improved in recent with the help of foreign

nations.

The Economy

Economic Activities• Agriculture

– Agriculture is by far the South Pacific’s most important economic activity• Australia is the world’s leading producer of wool• Despite the importance of farming, only 5 percent of Australians work in

agriculture.– Because of the dry climate, much of the country’s land is devoted to livestock.

• Livestock in this region need large areas of land to find enough vegetation to eat. • As a result, Australian ranches are gigantic and can be as large as 6000 square

miles.– Less than 10 percent of Australia’s land is suitable for growing crops.

• Irrigation, fertilizers and modern technology have helped Australia make best use of land.

– In New Zealand, more than half the land is used for farming.• The soil in this region is amongst the most fertile, and allow farmers to grow

various crops.• Ranchers raise sheep, cattle and red deer, and livestock in New Zealand

outnumbers people 20:1.– Other islands have very fertile soil due to volcanic ash and ample rainfall.

• The most common cash crop grown in these areas is copra, or dried coconut meat.

• Mining and Manufacturing– A variety of mineral deposits exist through the South Pacific

• Australia is a leading exporter of various minerals including, diamonds, gold and iron ore.

• However, mining these minerals is hindered by several different issues– High transportation costs and Aboriginal land rights limit mining.

• Outside of Australia, there are very few significant mineral resources.– New Zealand has a large aluminum smelting industry, while Papua New

Guinea has deposits of gold and copper.– The regions major producers of manufactured goods are Australia and New Zealand.

• Of the manufacturing activity that takes place, food processing is the most important.

• The consumer product industries generally manufacture products for home consumption

– The rest of the South Pacific is less industrialized, and are limited to small scale enterprises.

• Service Industries– Several service industries have emerged as major contributors to national economies.

• However, many of the countries in Oceania are too small to support anything other than tourism.

• Recent developments in air travels have boosted tourism in the South Pacific.

Transportation and Communications• Transportation

– Australia and New Zealand have well developed road and rail systems, and have highways and subways along their costal areas. • However, there are very few roads in the Outback

– Most of Oceania is too small, poor and rugged to develop road or rail systems. • Some governments are working to improve systems.

– Various obstacles make air and water travel very important to the region.• They move imports and exports, and bring travelers.

• Communications– The geographical obstacles that hinder travel, also make communication very difficult.– As technology has advanced, communication within the region has increased.

• Cellular, digital and satellite communication and internet is becoming more common.

Trade and Interdependence– As transportation and communication improved, the area has experienced an increase in

trade with the rest of the world.– Agriculture and mining products are the regions greatest sources of export income. – The U.S. and the U.K. were Australia’s primary trading partner through much of the

1900s.• In recent years they have expanded to include Asia.• Have joined the Asia- Pacific Cooperation forum, and are looking to join the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

People and Their Environment

Human Impact on Resources• Unusual Animals

– The continent of Australia is home to many unique species.• There are 144 different species of marsupials that call Australia home.

– Includes kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and the duck- bill platypus• The Tasmanian devil calls the Australian island of Tasmania its home.

– Many of these species have been threatened by the introduction of nonnative animals. • These new animals have multiplied and taken over the habitats of Australia’s

native species.• This has led to several of Australia’s native species to become endangered, and

even extinct. – In recent years they have made efforts to reverse this trend.

• Using electric fences to keep out nonnative species, encouraging hunting and trapping and introducing natural predators.

– New Zealand also finds its self home to many unique animal species.• Seabirds flourish here without mammalian predators.• New Zealand’s surprising and unique species is the penguin.

– New Zealand has implemented predator- control techniques and establishing island sanctuaries as a way to protect their native species.

• Forest, Soil and Water– The protection of forest, soil and freshwater resources is a major concern throughout

the South Pacific region. – Much of Australia has been left exposed to erosion due to the clearing of forests for

farms and cities– This problem has been compounded by the problems of over grazing and drought.

– The region has worked hard to reduce deforestation, particularly in the countries that have valuable timber resources.

– Australia's freshwater sources have become threatened, due to the regions drought, salt, irrigation and agricultural runoff.• The use of water for agriculture and growing city populations has reduced

freshwater supplies.– Australia‘s most pressing environmental problem is the increase risk of soil

salinity• Major cause of this problem has been the replacement of native vegetation

with pastures and other shallow- rooted crops. – Many of Oceania’s small island have very limited supplies of freshwater

• Agriculture runoff and inadequate sanitation further threatens these limited supplies.

– The oceans surrounding this region are also being threatened by pollution. • Great Barrier Reef in particular is seeing the affects of increased tourism

and pollution.• The result is coral bleaching, or the breakdown between the coral and the

algae that feeds it. – The regions marine life is also being affected by pollution

• Key parts of the ocean’s food web are being destroyed.

• The Nuclear Legacy – During the 1940s and 50s countries with nuclear capabilities used areas of the

South Pacific to test nuclear weapons. • Unknown at the time, the testing has had a major effect on the regions

environment.– People on the Marshall Islands were exposed to massive doses of radiation

after the U.S. exploded a bomb in 1954.– Although testing has stopped, the affects still remain.

• There are still areas that remain off-limits to human settlement. • In recent years the U.S. has provided millions to decontaminate exposed

areas and set up trust funds for blast survivors and their families. – Nuclear weapons have also had a lasting impact on politics in the region.

• A strong antinuclear activist group became a major factor in regional politics

• 1985 New Zealand passed a law banning nuclear powered ships and those with nuclear weapons form entering its waters.– Because of this the U.S. withdrew from a defense agreement with New

Zealand.• An international outcry led to an early halt on French plans to conduct

nuclear tests in French Polynesia.

• Challenges for the Future– Australia and Oceania are threatened by the world’s atmospheric and climate changes.– During the 1970s, scientist found a in the ozone layer above Antarctica.

• Between 1975 and 1993 this hole grew dramatically, and by 93 the hole covered more than 9 million square miles.

• By 2006 the hole reached 10.6 million square miles– The loss of the ozone maybe behind the rise in various problems throughout the

world.• Has been a rise in skin cancer, cataracts and other conditions caused by

overexposure to ultraviolet rays. • The gradual rise in Earth’s temperatures.

– The South Pacific region is very sensitive to the El Nino- Southern Oscillation. • Can cause both droughts and powerful cyclonic storms.• These weather patterns are believed to be increasing in frequency and severity,

possibly due to global warming.– If global warming continues causing polar ice caps to melt, many of Oceania’s islands

would become flooded.– Animal life in the region could also be drastically affected if global temperatures rise.

• Could cause cold water species to die off, also affecting life-forms that feed on them.