PHYSICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY

1. Oceania comprises nearly all of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Oceania comprises fourteen countries, namely Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.



Micronesia means small islands. Polynesia many islands. Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, including the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
Australia is the largest island of Oceania and is itself a continent.

Australia is known for its wild outback and bush regions, its lovely beaches, Ayres rock, and other beautiful natural features.

Australia's mountains are near the coast, and its interior is a plateau.
In the southeast are its highest mountains, largest rivers, and the most of its population and wealth.
Its wealth historically was chiefly in gold, copper, and wool.
The climate and vegetable products of the northern part are tropical, while those of the southern part belong to the temperate zone.
Australia being in the southern hemisphere, its seasons, are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere.
The indigenous inhabitants of Australia are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. New Zealand was originally settled by Polynesians who are called Maoris.
The characteristics of New Zealand are its mountains, evergreen forests, rich valleys, and heavy rains in July during their winter.

Papau New Guinea contains high mountains and extensive forests. Among its products are camphor, sago, coconuts, nutmegs, and other spices.
The islands of Malaysia are noted for their hut, moist climate, luxuriant vegetation, numerous volcanoes, and frequent earthquakes.

The most important islands are Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Celebes, the Philippine, and Spice Islands.
Products historically include ebony, guttapercha, cloves, nutmegs, pepper, ginger, cinnamon, rice, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sugar, fruits, bamboos, and rattans.
From the bamboo, the natives once made houses, beds, bridges, baskets, eta

The animals of Malaysia are the elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, panther, and monkeys.
Orangutans are found in Borneo and Sumatra. Birds of Paradise, parrots, and other beautiful birds are very numerous.

MAPWORK

1. Find the following islands of Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
2. What is the largest island of Oceania?
3. Which oceans surround Oceania?
4. Between what approximate latitudes and longitudes is Oceania?
5. Between what approximate latitudes and longitudes is Australia?
6. Between what approximate latitudes and longitudes is New Zealand?
7. Which islands of Oceania are near the Equator?
8. Which islands of Oceania are near the Tropic of Cancer?
9. Which islands of Oceania are near the Tropic of Capricorn?
10. Which islands of Oceania are directly opposite the Prime Meridian in Greenwich?