Australia, mate!Is the only place that is considered a country

& a continentIn the Southern Hemisphere (which season is

it now?)Only 10% of Australia’s land is arable (can

be farmed on)Is one of the world’s major mining areas

because of its deposits of coal, iron ore & nickel….just to name a few

Mountains & Plateaus of AustraliaGreat Dividing Range

Chain of mountains & hills located on the east coast of Australia

Tasmania: separated by seaMost rivers begin here, water most fertile land of the

countryWestern Plateau—aka: “The Outback”

Central & West Australia; covers 2/3 of Aus.Includes Great Sandy, Great Victorian Desert(s)

Nullarbar PlainSouth of the Great Victoria Treeless, ends in giant cliffs over Australian Bight (part

of Indian Ocean)

A dingo in the Great Sandy Desert

Great Victorian Desert

Central LowlandsSeparates the Great Dividing Range & Western

PlateauRivers & lakes are dry most of the year

DO fill up with heavy rains, but this happens very littleUnderneath: Great Artisan Basin

Water that gushes from artisan wells (from which water flows to surface) are too salty for humans or crops, but used to water livestock

Great Barrier ReefThe world’s largest coral reef; located in NE

coast of AustraliaString of 2,500 small reefsFormed from coral & extends 1,250 miles— the

distance to NYC to MiamiCoral: limestone skeletons of tiny sea animals

Home to lots of tropical fish & underwater animals

Accolades: National park in Australia Is named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations

Islands of Oceania

Created by colliding tectonic plates, part of the Ring of Fire

Classified into three clusters, based on location, where the islands formed, and cultureMelanesia (“black islands”)Micronesia (“little islands”)Polynesia (“many islands”)

Island TypesHigh Islands

Landscape features mountain ranges split by valleysFreshwater, volcanic soil help support agriculture

Low IslandsRing-shaped islands, known as “atolls”, were formed by

the buildup of coral reefs on the rim of submerged volcanoes

Little soil, few natural resources found hereContinental Islands

Formed by rising and folding of ancient rock from ocean floor

Many have active volcanoesHave most of Oceania’s mineral deposits mining

industries!

An atoll, or ring-shaped island (low)

New Zealand!

The Islands of New ZealandNZ’s two largest islands makes up 99% of the

country’s landmass:North Island

Golden beaches, forests & rich soil Also includes plateau featuring hot springs &

several active volcanoes (Mt.Ruapehu) Also includes hills that allow for ranchers to graze

sheep & dairy cattleSouth Island

Includes Mt. Cook (“Aorangi”—”cloud piercer”) New Zealand’s flattest & most fertile area

Natural Resources55% of the land of New Zealand supports

crops & livestock—land is very fertileSheep & wool products = top exportRivers are important!!

Provide hydroelectricity, fulfilling 75% of NZ’s electricity needs

Also use geothermal energy, or energy provided by water heated underground by volcanoes

Wide variety of fish because of cold & warm ocean currents

Antarctica

AntarcticaAbout twice the size of AustraliaLies at the southern extreme of the world,

underneath a massive ice cap which covers about 98% of the landmass2 miles thickHolds 70% of the world’s freshwater

Transantarctic Mountains & Antarctic Peninsula divide the continent into two:East: high, ice-covered plateau; coastal

mountains nearby form pathways for glaciersWest: largely below sea level; includes

underwater volcanoes

A Place for ResearchActivity limited due to international

agreementsYear-round research…what do scientists do

there?Investigate weather patternsMeasure environmental changesObserve sun & stars in a place that isn’t polluted

ResourcesFishing boats from several countries harvest krill

(shrimplike) maybe help reduce rates of world hunger?