Introduction to Oceania

Political Map of Oceania

Physical Map of Oceania

Pacific Ocean

Coral Sea

Great Barrier

Reef

Indian Ocean

Tasman Sea

Great Victoria Desert

What is Oceania?

• Geographers estimate that there are more than 20,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean

• As a group, these islands are called Oceania

• There are two types of islands– High islands – created by volcanoes– Low islands – created by coral reefs

Regions of Oceania

Antarctica

• Antarctica is the 5th largest continent, circular in shape, sitting on the South Pole

• Its landscape is covered by a thick ice sheet, but geologists believe that vast resources are underneath

International Dateline

The international dateline runs through this region. It runs on approximately 180 degrees latitude and divides one day from another on Earth.

Colonies in Oceania

Name Territory of

American Samoa US

Cook Islands New Zealand

French Polynesia France

Guam US

Midway Islands US

New Caledonia France

Norfolk Island Australia

Northern Mariana Islands US

Wake Island US

Climate map of Australia

Climate of Oceania

• Many of the Pacific Islands have a tropical climate due to their location near the Equator and warm ocean currents

Great Barrier Reef

• Located off of Australia’s northeast coast, the Great Barrier Reef is often called the world’s largest coral reef

• Some 400 species of coral are found here

Australia in isolation

• Because of Australia’s location and its island status, the plant and animal species of Australia grew in relative isolation

• Tectonic stability and an unusual pattern of climate change also have contributed

• This has created many varieties of plants and animals found only in Australia