Shaping Contemporary Oceania: Interactions of Physical and Human Systems

1. Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, & Antarctica

2. Georgia Standards • SSWG9 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. • a. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on the region. • b. Describe the major climates and their impact on the region. • c. Analyze the impact isolation has had on the cultural and biological development of the region. • d. Describe the various ethnic and religious groups; include major customs and traditions. • e. Explain how the migration of diverse ethnic groups and available natural resources have affected the economic and political development. • f. Explain why it was necessary for world governments involved in the exploration of Antarctica to develop and sign the Antarctic Treaty of 1961.

3. Australia • Only continent that is also a country

4. Great Barrier Reef • One of the world’s natural wonders, located on Australia’s Northeastern coast • Made of coral, which is the limestone skeletons of sea animals • World’s largest coral reef

5. Creatures of the Great Barrier Reef • Great White Shark • Man of War Jellyfish

6. Australian Outback • Very dry and ARID • Area where few people live • Ayer’s Rock – Popular tourist site in the outback

7. Climate

8. Native People • The Aborigines • Migrated from Asia at least 40,000 years ago • Nomadic people, never established permanent settlements • Hunted with boomerangs

9. Settled & colonized by the British Was set up as a colony for convicts (Penal Colony) Australia

10. Environment • Europeans introduced to Australia: • Camels • Rabbits • Sheep • Sugarcane • Native Animals to Australia: • Kangaroos • Koalas • Wallabies

11. New Zealand • North Island & South Island • Very diverse landmass: plains, lakes, mountains, plateaus, volcanoes  site of the filming of the Lord of the Rings films

12. Settled & colonized by the British • Large producer of wool & other sheep related products

13. Climate • With the exception of its mountain areas, New Zealand has only one climate region, Marine West Coast • Rain falls throughout the year • Temperatures are mild

14. Native People • The Maori • Came from Polynesia to settle New Zealand

15. Oceania • Made up more than 20,000 islands • 3 Categories: • Melanesia north of Australia; “black islands” • Micronesia  north of Melanesia & south of Japan; “tiny islands” • Polynesia  covers the area from Midway Island in the north to New Zealand in the south; “many islands”

16. Most islands formed by volcanic activity from the “Ring of Fire”

17. High Islands – created by volcanoes • Low Islands – made of coral reefs

18. In Oceania the main form of necessary transport is by boat • Outrigger canoes • Sailboats • Motor-powered boats

19. For longer distances sea planes are used because no airport is needed to land

20. Settled and explored by Christian missionaries

21. Antarctica • Twice the size of Australia • An ice covered plateau with ice up to 2 miles thick in places, & ice covers 95% of the continent

22. The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 divided the continent up between a number of nations. • These nations use their designated areas on the continent mainly to conduct scientific research. • Nations pledged to keep Antarctica clean and free of pollution.

23. Climate • The highest & driest of the continents • Temperatures drop as low as -100° F • On the Antarctic Peninsula with its tundra climate, summer temps can reach 60° F. • Vegetation & animal life flourish here  dominated by lichens (likens), a type of algae and a variety of animal species