The Austral and Pacific Realms Notes 4/4

The Austral and Pacific Realms

Australia:

• Climate Similar to DC toward the eastern coast

• Climate is more dry toward the west and central regions

• The Outback (Interior) - Gold rush of 1851, New South Wales and Victoria

• Land and Environement

  • Australia lies in the middle of its own tectonic plate (Earthquakes are rare)

  • Mt. Kosciusko is the highest point in Australia

• Biogeography - The study of plant life and animal life

  • Wallace’s Line

    • Separates the ecozones of Asia and Wallacea identifying Australia’s zoo geography realm

    • A transitional zone between Asia and Australia

• Island Invaders

  • Exotic animals starting to appear in homes they don’t originate from

    • Marsupials Kangaroos

New Zealand:

• Consists of 2 islands North Island and South Island

  • 2 islands are separated by the Cook Strait

  • Topography - relatively low relief, higher earthquake frequency

• Native Population - The Maori arrived in 10th century

  • British prevailed with the Treaty of Waitangi - Treaty gave Britain sovereignty over New Zealand and Governor the right to govern

  • Nearly all Maori live on the North Island because the south is too mountainous

The Pacific Realm:

• Largest total area of all geographic realms

• Smallest land area of all the realms

• High fragmented realm

• A realm in Politico-Geographical transition

• Comprised of High island - Low island cultures

• 90% of Pacific realm lives in New Guinea