What is included in Oceania? Geography of Oceania: characteristics of the region, climate, animals, plants, population and countries

Geographically, Oceania is the world's largest collection of islands, which are located in the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean. Far from us, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and temperate Southern hemispheres. Many classifications usually combine Oceania with Australia, although Australia, as we know, is a continent.

Oceania is a world of great contrasts, many interesting plants grow here, unique nature and an unforgettable culture.

The total area of ​​the islands is 1.26 million square kilometers(and together with Australia 8.52 million km²). Population: almost 11 million people. (for the company with Australia - 32.6 million people).

Oceania is divided into three geographical regions, the names of which alone evoke thoughts of adventure and pristine nature. Their names are Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. The islands of Oceania are washed by many seas of the Pacific Ocean - the Coral Sea, Solomon, New Guinea, Tasman Sea, Koro and Fiji, as well as the Arafura Sea, which belongs to the basin Indian Ocean.

Origin of land in Oceania

From a geological point of view, only Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania are of continental origin. They were once part of the proto-continent Gondwana, which broke apart. At that time, these islands were solid land, but the waters of the World Ocean rose to a considerable height and part of the surface was flooded. Now the highest parts of the land that belonged to Gondwana protrude above the water.

The topography of most islands is mountainous and highly dissected. There are in Oceania and truly high peaks, including Mount Jaya (elevation 5029 m), on the island of New Guinea.

Types of islands

Colossal transformations apparently took place once in these places. It is determined that most of the islands of Oceania arose as a result of volcanic activity. Some are the tops of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still exhibit high volcanic activity (for example, on the Hawaiian Islands).

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There are also many islands of coral origin in this region. These are atolls that arose as a result of the growth of corals around submerged volcanoes (for example, the Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). On such islands there are often large lagoons that are protected from open sea numerous islands, the average height of which above the water level does not exceed three meters.

In Oceania there is an atoll with the world's largest lagoon - Kwajalein (Marshall Islands archipelago). The ratio of its land area is striking - 16.32 km², but the area of ​​the lagoon is 2174 km². This is what it says in the reference books, I had no idea before that the area of ​​the island could be less area bay (lagoon).

There is another breakthrough atoll in Oceania. This time the largest in terms of land area. It is called Christmas Island (or Kiritimati) in the Line archipelago and has an area of ​​322 km².

Among atolls there is also a special type - raised (or elevated) atoll. Such an atoll is a limestone plateau with a height of up to 50-60 m above sea level. This type of island does not have a lagoon or there are traces of its existence in the past. Examples of such atolls are Nauru, Niue, and Banaba.

In the Oceania region, the bottom of the World Ocean has a complex structure. The region is characterized by active volcanism, seismicity and contrasting topography.

Oceania countries

The all-knowing Wikipedia gives the following classification:

Name of region, countries
and country flag
Square
(km²)
Population
(est. July 2002)
Population density
(persons/km²)
Capital Currency
Australia
Australia 7 692 024 21 050 000 2,5 Canberra AUD (Australian Dollar)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Australia) 5 uninhabited - -
Coral Sea Islands (Australia) 7 uninhabited - -
Norfolk Island (Australia) 35 1 866 53,3 Kingston AUD (Australian Dollar)
Melanesia
12 190 196 178 16,1 Port Vila VUV (Vatu)
Irian Jaya() 421 981 2 646 489 6,27 Jayapura, Manokwari IDR (Rupiah)
New Caledonia (France) 18 575 207 858 10,9 Noumea
Papua New Guinea 462 840 5 172 033 11,2 Port Moresby PGK (Kina)
Solomon islands 28 450 494 786 17,4 Honiara SBD (Solomon Islands Dollar)
Fiji 18 274 856 346 46,9 Suva FJD (Fiji Dollar)
Micronesia
Guam (USA) 541 160 796 292,9 Hagatna USD (USA Dollar)
Kiribati 811 96 335 118,8 South Tarawa AUD (Australian Dollar)
181 73 630 406,8 Majuro USD (USA Dollar)
Federated States of Micronesia 702 135 869 193,5 Palikir USD (USA Dollar)
Nauru 21 12 329 587,1 AUD (Australian Dollar)
Palau 458 19 409 42,4 Ngerulmud USD (USA Dollar)
Northern Mariana Islands (USA) 463,63 77 311 162,1 Saipan USD (USA Dollar)
Wake Atoll (USA) 7,4 - - -
Polynesia
Baker Island (USA) 1,24 uninhabited - -
Hawaii (USA) 28 311 1 211 537 72,83 Honolulu USD (USA Dollar)
Jarvis Island (USA) 4,45 uninhabited - -
Johnston Atoll (USA) 2,52 - - -
Kingman Reef (USA) 0,01 uninhabited - -
Kiribati 811 96 335 118,8 South Tarawa AUD (Australian Dollar)
Cook Islands (New Zealand) 236,7 20 811 86,7 Avarua NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Midway Islands (USA) 6,23 - - -
Niue (New Zealand) 261,46 2 134 8,2 Alofi NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
New Zealand 268 680 4 108 037 14,5 Wellington NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Palmyra Atoll (USA) 6,56 - - -
Isla de Pascua (Chile) 163,6 5806 23,1 Hanga Roa CLP (Chilean Pesso)
Pitcairn Islands (UK) 47 47 10 Adamstown NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
French polynesia(France) 4 167 257 847 61,9 Papeete XPF (French Pacific Franc)
American Samoa (USA) 199 68 688 345,2 Pago Pago, Fagatogo USD (USA Dollar)
Samoa 2 935 178 631 60,7 Apia WST (Samoan tala)
Tokelau (New Zealand) 10 1 431 143,1 - NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Tonga 748 106 137 141,9 Nuku'alofa TOP (Tongan pa'anga)
Tuvalu 26 11 146 428,7 Funafuti AUD (Australian Dollar)
Wallis and Futuna (France) 274 15 585 56,9 Mata-Utu XPF (French Pacific Franc)
Howland Island (USA) 1,62 uninhabited - -

Oceania. Climate

The prevailing climate is tropical. Oceania is characterized by high rainfall. On the islands located closer to the tropical zone, the average annual temperature is +23 °C, on the islands near the equator – +27 °C.

Oceania's climate is influenced by currents such as La Niña and El Niño. Most of the islands of Oceania are negatively affected by active volcanoes. Tsunamis and typhoons also happen here.

Drastic changes are happening here weather conditions– heavy rains give way to droughts.

Population of Oceania

Although colonialists from Europe and America actively tried to exploit these territories, the majority of the local population are indigenous people. Such as Micronesians, Polynesians, Papuans. Polynesians are mixed racial types - they show features of Caucasoids and Mongoloids.

The largest groups of Polynesians include Hawaiians, Maoris, Tongans, and Tahitians. Each nationality has its own language, the peculiarity of which is the almost complete absence of consonants.

Among the Melanesians, the linguistic fragmentation of the tribes is very large. Often residents of even neighboring villages cannot understand each other. The Papuans, as in Cook's time, inhabit some regions of Indonesia and New Guinea.

All Papuan languages ​​are very similar to each other. But now they are based native language the same Cook who, according to legend, was eaten, i.e. English. So if you speak English, you can speak fluently and easily with a Papuan.

Flora of Oceania

Oceania has a large extent both in latitude and meridian. Therefore, the flora of the islands is very diverse. There are representatives here that are completely surprising to us, such as:

  • breadfruit,
  • coconut palm,
  • ferns
  • orchids.

Animal world

The fauna of the islands of Oceania is less diverse, because mammals are practically absent.

New Zealand and New Guinea have the greatest diversity in Okenia. On the small islands of Oceania, primarily atolls, there are almost no mammals: many of them are inhabited only by rats, and even then only a few (they are probably protected there!?).

But the islands are very rich in bird colonies, where seabirds nest. Of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country. Other common bird species are kea (or nestor), kakapo (or owl parrot), takahe (or wingless parakeet).

- the smallest continent in area, located in the eastern and southern hemispheres. The area of ​​Australia is 8 million km2. Extreme points Australia: Northern: Cape York (10° S, 143° E); South: Cape Wilson (39° S, 146° E); Western: Cape Steep Point (26° S, 113° E); Eastern: Cape Byron (28° S, 153° E). Australia is washed from the west and south by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and from the east by the waters of the Pacific. In the north and northeast, the coasts of Australia are washed by and, in the southeast - by the sea. Coastline in general it is not cut too much. In the north there are two large peninsulas: Cape York and Arnhem Land, between them is the Gulf of Carpentaria, and in the south the Great Australian Bight juts into the land. In the southeast there is a large island -.

Oceania- a cluster of islands and archipelagos located in the central and southwestern parts. The largest islands of Oceania are New and. There are more than 7,000 islands in Oceania, with a total area of ​​1.3 million km2. The relief of Australia is quite flat and monotonous. The center of the continent is occupied by the Central Plain, the heights of which do not exceed 100 m. In the west of the continent there is the Western Australian Plateau, 400-500 m high, in the east - the Great Dividing Range, which owns the most high point mainland - Kosciuszko (2230 m). These are quite old, heavily destroyed mountains, which descend sharply towards the coast, and gradually turn into a plain towards the center of the mainland.

Most of the islands of Oceania arose as a result of volcanic activity; the topography of such islands is varied, there are mountains, hills, and small ridges. Coral islands are usually flat. There are also islands of mainland origin, for example.

Australia and New Zealand are rich in deposits of iron, manganese, gold, diamonds, oil, etc. On the islands there are reserves of metal ores and phosphorites, however | almost all are poorly developed.

There are no large rivers in Australia. The largest river on the mainland with a large tributary, the Darling, flows into the Great Australian Bight and belongs to the Indian Ocean basin. There are many creeks - empty riverbeds that fill with water during the rainy season and turn into rivers and streams. Eat large lake Air, in summer it is filled with rainwater and can reach 15,000 km2. The rest of the time the lake dries up and breaks up into a number of small lakes. On small lakes of volcanic origin.

Most of Australia has a tropical climate. The western edge of the continent is well moistened, since moisture from the ocean is retained by the Great Dividing Range. In the central part the climate is arid, with 250-300 mm of precipitation per year. The climate on the northern coast of the mainland is humid in summer and quite dry in winter. The southern and eastern parts of Australia are in the zone. The east is quite humid, with precipitation occurring throughout the year. On south coast warm and little precipitation, in the southeast it is hot, and in winter it is also very humid.

With the exception of all the islands of Oceania, they are located in the equatorial and tropical zones; it is warm here, temperature changes are smoothed out by the influence of the ocean, so the climate is quite mild. New Zealand has a temperate climate, with normal rainfall, moderately warm summers and fairly warm winters.

Australia is located quite isolated from other continents; it previously separated from the ancient common continent of Gondwana, therefore it has a unique animal and flora. Many species here are endemic - that is, they are not found on any other continent. In Australia preserved last species oviparous: platypus and echidna, there are many marsupials here. Many animals originated from wild domestic animals brought to the mainland from: Dingo dogs, rabbits.

Many plants have adapted to the arid continent; in particular, eucalyptus trees turn their leaves edgewise during daylight hours to reduce evaporation. The bottle tree has a thick trunk in which moisture accumulates.

In the center of the continent there are also savannas, where red-brown soils are formed. Eucalyptus trees, evergreen shrubs grow here, ostriches, kangaroos, dingoes, and wombats are found. In the northeast, east and west of the continent there are zones of tropical and subtropical rainforests, where red forests are formed. Palm trees, ficus, beeches, eucalyptus trees grow in this area, marsupial bears and many birds live.

On most of the islands, wet trees grow: palm trees, bananas, breadfruit, etc., there are practically no predators among animals, and there are a lot of birds.

Composition, geological structure, relief and minerals

Between Southeast Asia and America huge water area Pacific Ocean occupies the world's largest cluster of islands. There are more than $10$ thousand. This Oceania.

Definition 1

Oceania are islands and archipelagos located in the central and southwestern Pacific Ocean

This island land has a total area of ​​about $1.3 million square km, which is only $2% of the ocean area. The geographical location of the islands, as well as their size and relief, are most directly related to their origin.

The genesis of the islands allows us to identify $4 $ main types:

  • Mainland Islands;
  • Volcanic Islands;
  • Biogenic islands;
  • Geosynclinal islands.

To the islands mainland of origin include the largest in area - New Guinea, New Zealand, which account for $80$% of Oceania's land area. The topography of these islands includes mountain ranges and vast low-lying plains. Hawaiian islands, for example, are typical volcanic, A coral reefs and atolls have biogenic origin.

Definition 2

Atolls- These are flat, low ring-shaped islands in the middle with a lagoon connected to the ocean.

Example atolls are the islands of Central Polynesia - Tuamotu archipelago, atoll Kwajalein having the world's largest lagoon in the archipelago Marshall Islands. Coral islands were formed in quaternary period when sections of the Pacific Ocean floor subsided. In the western part of Oceania lie geosynclinal islands. Most of the islands have volcanic origins, and some represent the pinnacles underwater volcanoesSamoa, Cook, Easter, Marquesas Islands. Minerals are distributed extremely widely across the islands unevenly, and on many of them it’s just none. Development is carried out only on the largest ones. New Caledonia has nickel reserves, there is oil and gas New Guinea and New Zealand. New Guinea still has reserves copper and gold. Phosphorite reserves have been discovered at island atolls. As a nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer, active development was carried out in the past on many island atolls. guano– decomposed droppings of seabirds.

Note 1

In Oceania, based on regional landscape differences, $4$ physical and geographical countries are distinguished:

  • Melanesia. It includes New Guinea, the archipelagos of Bismarck, Louisaide, Solomon islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Fiji, etc.
  • Micronesia. It has $1,500 islands - among them the archipelagos of Kazan, Mariana, Caroline, Marshall Islands, Gilbert Islands, Nauru. They are all small in area.
  • New Zealand;
  • Polynesia. " Poly» – a lot of islands. Polynesia can be described as a triangle whose corners are Hawaii-New Zealand-Easter Island.

Oceania Climate

Note 2

Oceania lies within the $3 main and $2 transition climate zones:

  • Equatorial belt;
  • Subequatorial belt;
  • Tropical zone;
  • Subtropical zone;
  • Temperate zone.

Predominant on the islands tropical climate, and subequatorial dominates near Australia and Asia. West of the $180$ meridian the islands lie in equatorial climate, and in subtropical climate lie islands located north and south of the tropics. Moderate The belt occupies most of New Zealand. The climate of the islands is determined mainly trade winds, which means that they receive heavy rainfall. During the year, precipitation can vary from $1500$-$4000$mm. The topography of some islands and their leeward sides reduce precipitation, and the climate may be drier or wetter. One of the most wet places on the planet located precisely in Oceania on the eastern slope of the mountain Waialeale– $11430$ mm per year. The mountain is located on an island Kauai, where in $1982 $16,916 mm fell - this was an absolute maximum. The average temperature near the tropics is +$23$ degrees, and in the equator region is +$27$. The difference between summer and winter is insignificant here. Two ocean currents El Niño And La Niña influence the climate of Oceania big influence. Flow El Niño due to the fact that the intertropical convergence zone is moving towards equator, i.e. to the north, at La Nina the movement goes to the south, i.e. from the equator A. In the first case, abundant rains, in the second case, there is a strong drought. The river system of islands is related to the climate. Large rivers only available in New ZealandWaikato River and New Guinea - Sepik and Fly rivers. Naturally, rivers are fed rain, and recharge comes from melting glaciers. On the atolls of the river none at all. Lakes, including thermal, are situated in New Zealand, is here and geysers. Lakes on other islands of Oceania are very rare.

Nature of Oceania

The distance from the continents, the small size of the islands and the vast expanse of water around them significantly influenced the nature and life of peoples. The centers of flora formation were large islands, but at the same time many species of plants from Australia, the Malay Archipelago and Southeast Asia migrated to the islands.

Note 3

As a result, Oceania is included in Paleotropical area of ​​vegetation in which $3$ subareas are distinguished:

  • Malesian floristic subregion;
  • Hawaiian Subregion;
  • New Zealand subregion.

Malesian The subregion is characterized by numerous tropical families - pandanus, ficus, water lilies, bananas, laurel and widespread legumes. There are many epiphytes here - ferns, orchids.

Hawaiian The subregion is represented by one genus of palms, a small number of orchids, and the absence of gymnosperms and ficus. But there are a lot of ferns here. These are the first plants to settle in the cracks of cooled lava flows.

For New Zealand In the subregion there will be numerous species of Asteraceae, ferns, sedges, and grasses.

The most common plants in Oceania are coconut palms and breadfruit trees. Their fruits are used for food, and their wood is a source of heat and building material. The endosperm of coconut palm nuts is the source copra, and it is the basis of exports to the countries of Oceania. In Hawaii and New Zealand there are endemics flora and fauna. Coral the islands have very poor species composition. Cultivated plants include pineapples, bananas, and sugar cane. The composition of the fauna has specific features that are associated with ocean spaces, causing difficulties for the settlement of animals. Species composition of fauna poor, complete absence mammals. In this regard, a significant part of Oceania is allocated to Polynesian zoogeographic region. There are many flying birds - swifts, pigeons. Small animals include bats, dogs, foxes, lizards. Insects are accidentally carried on the trunks of floating trees. In New Zealand, a representative of the fauna is kiwi- the national symbol of the country. Among the endemics are kea or nestor, kakapo or owl parrot, takahe or wingless sultana.

Note 4

Oceania developed under conditions of long-term isolation from mainland land. This determined originality its landscapes, manifested in the geological structure and relief, in the high endemism and poverty of species composition of flora and fauna. These reasons provide grounds for singling out Oceania as special part of the world has no analogues on the continents.

Oceania is the name of the largest collection of large and small islands on our planet in the western and central part of the Pacific Ocean. The islands of Oceania occupy about 1.3 million square kilometers of the Earth's surface and there are almost 7 thousand of them, large and small.

Island regions of Oceania

Traditionally, the islands of Oceania are divided by geographers, historians and ethnographers into three groups: Melanesia with the largest island of New Guinea, Micronesia, Polynesia with the second largest island of Oceania, New Zealand.

Island region of Oceania Melanesia (“black island”)

Melanesia is located in the west of Oceania and, in addition to New Guinea, it includes the archipelagos of Bismarck and Louisiada, as well as the islands of D'Anrtkastro, the islands of Santa Cruz, the Solomon Islands, the New Herbide islands, the island of New Caledonia, the Fiji islands, Loyalty and several others .

The main part of the territory of Melanesia falls on the island of New Guinea. He owns 829 of the 969 thousand square kilometers occupied by this area of ​​​​Oceanian islands.

Island region of Oceania Polynesia (“multi-island”)

Polynesia stretches from the southwest to the east of Oceania. The largest islands of Polynesia are New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Wallis, Tokelau, Horn, Cook, Tuvalu, Tubuai, Societies, Marquesas Islands and Easter Island.

265 thousand square kilometers of the total area of ​​Polynesia are in New Zealand, 17 thousand in the Hawaiian Islands and 9 thousand in all the rest.

Ocean Islands Region Micronesia (“small island”)

Micronesia is located in the northwest of Oceania. The total area of ​​its islands is only 2.6 thousand square kilometers, but these smallest islands are scattered over an ocean area of ​​​​about 14 million square kilometers.

The main island groups of Micronesia are the Marshall, Caroline and Mariana Islands, as well as the Gilbert Islands.

Islands of Oceania by type of origin

The islands of Oceania differ in their origin and on this basis they are usually divided into four types: volcanic, coral or atoll (biogenic), continental, and geosynclinal.

Volcanic islands of Oceania

The volcanic islands of Oceania are the peaks of dormant or active underwater volcanoes. Among them there are islands with areas ranging from ten square kilometers to several thousand and they are the main type of islands in Oceania.

The most famous of volcanic islands These are the Hawaiian Islands, Easter Island, Tahiti and Samoa.

Coral Islands of Oceania (biogenic)

In shallow ocean waters, entire colonies of small marine animals - corals - usually settle. Over the centuries, when corals die, their skeletons cover the ocean floor, are pressed and form rock. Over time, coral reefs and entire islands appear above the surface of the water, and if coral deposits occurred along the contour of an underwater volcano, then atolls appear - coral islands with a lagoon in the center.

There are hundreds of coral islands (atolls) in Oceania, both single and forming entire archipelagos. These are the Caroline, Mariana, Marshall Islands, as well as the Gilbert and Tuamotu Islands. The largest atoll in Oceania is Kwajalein. Its territory area is 2.3 thousand square kilometers (including the area of ​​the lagoon) and it belongs to the Marshall Islands archipelago.

Mainland Islands of Oceania

The mainland islands of Oceania were once part of the mainland and became islands as a result of the movement of the earth's crust. Thus, New Guinea is separated from the Australian mainland only by a strait, the bottom of which until recently was dry land, and New Zealand is part of a huge continent that once existed, which included both Australia and Antarctica.

The mainland islands of Oceania account for 90% of its territory. They have both lowlands and mountain systems, and long mountain plateaus.

If you look at a map of the Pacific Ocean, you can see the largest cluster of islands on our planet - Oceania. There are more than ten thousand islands - large, small, and very tiny. They are divided into Polynesia (meaning “many islands” in Greek), Micronesia and Melanesia.

Many islands of Oceania are coral atolls. However, most of them are just the tips of underwater volcanoes.

Easter Island in Oceania is famous for its amazing statues moai with elongated heads and short bodies that reach twenty meters in height.

What is Oceania? Wikipedia
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Oceania is the largest collection of islands on Earth, located in the central and western parts of the Pacific Ocean. Its islands are scattered from the subtropical latitudes of the Northern to the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.

Oceania includes more than 7 thousand islands with a total area of ​​1.3 million km2. Most of the islands are grouped into archipelagos: New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji, Tuamotu, etc.

(see map).

Oceania became known to Europeans in the 16th century, from the time of the first circumnavigation F. Magellan.

A special chapter in the history of its discovery and research is made up of the voyages of J. Cook and the campaigns of Russian navigators V. M. Golovnin, F. P. Litke, S. O. Makarov and others. Only in the 19th century. More than 40 Russian expeditions visited the Pacific Ocean and collected valuable scientific information.

N. made a great contribution to the study of the nature and population of Oceania.

Map of Australia and Oceania

N. Miklouho-Maclay. He not only studied the life and way of life of the peoples of the island of New Guinea, but also compiled interesting descriptions shores of the tropical sea. The contribution of our compatriots to the study of Oceania is evidenced by the Russian names on the map: the Maclay coast, the Russian islands, the atolls of Suvorov, Kutuzov, Lisyansky, etc.

Features of nature. The islands of Oceania are very picturesque. Bizarre outlines of green mountainous islands appearing on the horizon, the appearance of flat atolls overgrown with slender palm trees, with a coastal strip of white coral or black volcanic sand capture the human imagination.

Most of the islands of Oceania are surrounded by coral reefs, which absorb the blows of formidable ocean waves and dampen their gigantic force.

Physico- geographical position, the size and origin of the islands are closely related to the structure of the Pacific Ocean floor.

Most of the islands of Oceania are volcanic and coral, some of them are the tops of underwater ridges. There are also mainland islands. The islands in western Oceania lie in the region of island arcs formed at the boundaries of lithospheric plates (see.

The position in a vast expanse of water, the small size of the land and remoteness, the isolation of the islands from the mainland and from each other had a significant impact on the nature of the islands and on the life of the peoples of Oceania.

Most of the islands are located in the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical zones.

Only New Zealand and its adjacent islands are subtropical and temperate. The climate of Oceania is warm, even, mild, especially favorable for human life. Due to the position of the islands on both sides of the equator, air temperatures are high, but winds from the ocean significantly soften the heat.

Temperature fluctuations between seasons and during the day are insignificant. Changes in air pressure over the expanses of the ocean lead to frequent hurricanes.

The isolation of the islands had the greatest impact on their flora and fauna.

He is very unique. Life is poorest on small and relatively young coral islands, while on the mainland it is somewhat more diverse and richer. In the fauna of the islands there are no predators or poisonous snakes. The coastal waters of the islands and especially atolls are rich in life.

Therefore, islands in the ocean are like oases in the middle of a water desert.

Along with common features in the nature of the islands, there are also differences.

High mountainous mainland islands alternate with flat atolls, some lie on the equator and have a hot climate, others are located in the subtropical zone, where it is hot only in summer.

Natural complexes coral islands most closely associated with the ocean. They are home to marine animals that lead an amphibious lifestyle, such as crabs. Many atolls are nesting grounds for seabirds. On these islands, coconut palms and shrubs grow, adapted to strong winds saturated with moisture and sea salt.

Maps of Oceania

A) Fiji B) Western Samoa C) New Zealand D) Tonga E) Papua New Guinea

2. People of the equatorial race are different

A) yellow skin color and wide open eyes B) elongated skull and light skin C) narrow nose, narrow eye shape D) dark skin color, curly hair E) narrow nose and curly hair

3.The most deep ocean Earth

A) Atlantic B) Southern C) Indian D) Pacific E) Arctic

4. Frequent movements of the earth’s crust at the bottom, great depths, many volcanoes and islands are features

A) Indian Ocean B) Arctic Ocean C) Pacific Ocean D) Southern Ocean E) Atlantic Ocean

"Homeland" of the Papuans

A) Tasmania Island B) Australia C) New Zealand D) New Guinea E) Madagascar Island

6.The navigator who made the first trip around the world

A) A. Vespucci B) H. Columbus C) J. Cook D) F. Magellan E) M. Polo

7.The most deep place, Mariana Trench, located in the ocean

A) Arctic B) Southern C) Atlantic D) Pacific E) Indian

8.The area itself small continent with islands (million km²)

A)7.7 B)30.3 C)9 D)24.2 E)17.8

9.More than 90% of Australian residents are

A) Germans B) Dutch C) Aborigines D) Anglo-Australians E) Peoples of the Slavic group

10.The island of Tasmania is part of

A) New Zealand B) Papua New Guinea C) Union of Australia D) Fiji E) Indonesia

11.Australia is a major exporter

A) Bauxite, coal B) Gas, nickel C) Cars, equipment D) Timber, building materials E) Oil, tin

12.The main wheat regions in Australia are located on

A) South and North B) West and Central C) North and North-East D) South-West and South-East E) North-East and South

13. They call it Oceania

A) Science that studies the oceans B) The totality of the oceans C) Artificial fish breeding D) Islands and archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean E) All coastal zones

14.New South Wales is located in

A) Australia B) Argentina C) Canada D) Great Britain E) Brazil

15.The world's largest sheep breeding area is considered

A) Great Chinese Plain B) Great Plains of the USA C) Mississippian Lowland D) Deserts and semi-deserts of Australia E) Patagonia

16.The world's largest bauxite mining area is located in

A) Australia B) France C) Argentina D) Saudi Arabia E) Japan

17.The east coast of Australia was discovered

A) Vespucci B) Columbus C) N.N. Miklouho-Maclay D) Cook E) Livingston

18. The leading place in coal reserves is occupied by

A) Australia and the USA B) Kazakhstan and Ukraine C) China and Russia D) Great Britain and Germany E) South Africa and Nigeria

19.Capital of Australia

A) Sydney B) Melbourne C) Canberra D) Bronen Hill E) Adelaide

A) 4228 B) 2528 C) 2228 D) 3778 E) 3528

21. First place in terms of sheep population

A) New Zealand B) South Africa C) Australia D) China E) India

22. All points of mainland Australia have latitude

A) Western B) Eastern C) Northern D) Southern E) Northern and Southern

23. Australia has the same natural areas, as

A) Central Africa B) Northern Africa C) Southern Africa D) West coast of Africa E) East coast of Africa

24.The indigenous people of Oceania build houses and boats from this plant, and eat the fruits

A) bottle tree B) coconut palm C) eucalyptus D) baobab E) shrubs

25. Continent on which there is no active volcanoes and modern glaciation

A) America A) Australia C) Africa D) Eurasia E) Asia

26.Permanent residence of Papuans

A) New Guinea B) Australia C) New Zealand D) Madagascar Island E) Tasmania Island

27.The state of Oceania, which is called “three times open”

A) Australia B) New Zealand C) New Guinea D) Polynesia E) Philippines

28.Part of Australia that is a mountainous country

29.Part of Australia located in the subequatorial belt

A) northern B) southern C) eastern D) western E) central

30.The largest lake in Australia

A) Murray B) Pennong C) Leonora D) Eyre E) there are no lakes in Australia

Homenbsp> nbsp Wiki tutorialnbsp> nbsp Geography> nbsp7 classnbsp> nbspOceania and its geographical location: climate and population of Oceania

Geographical position

Oceania lies between the temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere and the subtropical latitudes of the northern hemisphere.

Oceania is often considered a geography along with Australia.

There is even geographical name- Australia and Oceania.

The total area of ​​the ocean is 1.24 million km. 2. Population is 10.6 million km.

Geographic map - Oceania (Oceania)

Oceania is divided into three geographical regions - Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. Oceania is washed by many seas - Coral Sea, Solomon, New Guinea, Tasmanian Sea, Koro and Fiji, belonging to the Pacific Ocean and Arafura Sea (Indian Ocean).

Climate Oceania

Most oceans have a tropical climate.

Most of the islands in Oceania experience heavy rainfall. On the islands located closer to the tropical zone, the average annual temperature is 23 ° C, on the islands around the equator - 27 ° C.

Ocean climate is influenced by La Niña and El Niño currents. Most of the islands of Oceania are subject to the negative effects of active volcanoes, tsunamis and typhons.

The region is characterized by a strong change in weather conditions - droughts are replaced by heavy rainwater.

Population of Oceana

The majority of the population on the islands of Oceania is represented by natives, including Micronesians, Polynesians, and Papuans.

Polynesians are mixed racial types - they look at the characteristics of Europeans and Mongoloids.

The largest peoples of Polynesia are the Hawaiians, Maoris, Tongans and Tahitians. Each nation has its own language, resulting in almost complete absence of unanimous sounds.

The racial species of melanesans are australolids.

The distribution of Melanesian tribal languages ​​is very large - it is common for residents of neighboring villages to be unable to understand each other. Papuans live in parts of Indonesia and New Guinea.

All Papuan languages ​​are very similar.

They are based on English language, so people from remote regions know English well.

economy

The vast majority of Oceania countries have very weak economies. The reasons for this are factors such as the distance of the islands from developed superpowers, limited resources and lack of personnel.

Many countries are completely dependent on Australia and the United States of America. The basis of the economy is agriculture.

Some of the most common crops include coconut palm, small fruits and bananas. Some countries have fishing fleets.

Industry develops only in three regions - New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand.

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Oceania is a part of the world that is a separate geopolitical region that consists of many islands and atolls located in the western and central Pacific Ocean.
Geographical position

The islands of Oceania are located between the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere and the subtropical latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Often in geography, Oceania is considered together with Australia.

There is even a geographical name for Australia and Oceania.

History of Oceania

The total area of ​​Oceania is 1.24 million km2. The population is 10.6 million people.

Oceania is divided into three geographical regions: Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia.

Oceania is washed by numerous seas: the Coral, Solomon, New Guinea, Tasman Seas, the Koro and Fiji Seas, which belong to the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Arafura Sea (Indian Ocean).
Oceania Climate

Most of Oceania has a tropical climate. Most of the islands of Oceania are characterized by heavy rainfall.

On the islands that are located closer to the tropical zone, the average annual temperature is 23 C, on the islands near the equator - 27 C.

Oceania's climate is also influenced by currents such as La Niña and El Niño. Most of the islands of Oceania are negatively affected by active volcanoes, tsunamis and typhoons.

This region is characterized by sudden changes in weather conditions, droughts followed by heavy rains...

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