World Regional Geography - Oceania Flashcards

Flashcards summarizing key geographic, cultural, and religious aspects of Oceania, including Australia and New Zealand.

Oceania

Includes Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

Australia

An island, country, and continent; the smallest continent, featuring a large mainland and Tasmania, surrounded by seas, including the Indian Ocean and the Coral Sea.

Great Barrier Reef

A notable geographical feature located off the coast of Australia.

Great Australian Bight

A significant feature surrounding Australia

The Outback

A vast interior region of Australia that supports sheep and cattle industries but is at risk of desertification.

New Zealand

Comprising two main islands (North and South) separated by the Cook Strait, with high mountains and adequate rainfall.

Cook Strait

The body of water separating the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Biodiversity in Australia and New Zealand

Unique due to historic isolation, including marsupials like kangaroos and koalas, which developed after the continents separated over 200 million years ago. Wallace's Line and Weber's Line illustrate environmental differences.

Wallace's Line and Weber's Line

Illustrate the environmental differences in species development between Austral and Asian realms.

Indigenous Australians (Aborigines)

Have inhabited the continent for 40,000 to 50,000 years.

European Colonization of Australia

Began in the 17th century, with significant impacts on indigenous populations due to disease and land disputes.

British Colonization of Australia

Began in the late 1700s, initially for prison colonies, leading to a drastic decrease in the Aboriginal population due to disease and displacement.

Maori

Arrived in New Zealand around the 10th century and developed a rich culture.

Treaty of Waitangi (1840)

Signed by the British in New Zealand, granting sovereignty but leading to land disputes and loss of rights for the Maori.

Economic reliance of Australia

Tourism, agriculture, and raw material exports, with attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast.

New Zealand's economy

Based on agriculture, particularly sheep and dairy farming, with a focus on tourism due to its stunning landscapes.

Southern Alps

High mountains in New Zealand's geography.

Wellington

The capital of New Zealand.

Auckland

The largest city in New Zealand, with a population of 1.2 million.

Christchurch

The largest city on the South Island of New Zealand.

Climate of Australia

Diverse, from tropical in the north to temperate in the south, with most of the population concentrated in coastal cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

Climate of New Zealand

Temperate with significant rainfall on the western coasts and drier eastern regions, supporting diverse agricultural activities.

Australia's cultural landscape

Influenced by its colonial past, with sports playing a significant role; the population is predominantly of European descent, with a small percentage of Aboriginal people.

Maori culture in New Zealand

Integral to the national identity, with ongoing efforts to address historical grievances and promote cultural heritage.

Maori

Indigenous to New Zealand, primarily residing on the North Island, with a rich cultural heritage, including traditional performances.