Define OCEANIA
Oceania, also known as Oceanica, is a geographical region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. It occupies a land area of 8,525,989 square kilometers with a population of around 41 million.
- Australia is the largest and most populous country in Oceania, and Sydney to be the largest city.
- It has a Population density of 4.19/km2.
- In 2018, its nominal GDP was $1.630 trillion.
- It has 30 official languages.
- In some countries (like Brazil), Oceania is still considered a continent.
- Oceanian islands are of four fundamental types:
- High islands,
- Continental islands,
- Coral reefs,
- Uplifted coral platforms.
What are the 3 main island groups in Oceania?
They are of mainly three groups:
About MICRONESIA
Micronesia is a tropical marine climate geographical region in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an important US military base and tourist destination. It includes around 2100 islands, with a total land area of 2,700 km2. It consists of four smaller groups of islands (archipelagos):
- Gilbert Islands (Republic of Kiribati)
- Caroline Islands (Federated States of Micronesia and Palau)
- Marshall Islands
- Mariana Islands (the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, US)
About POLYNESIA
- Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands.
- Polynesia is generally defined as the islands within the Polynesian Triangle.
- Polynesia is located in the central and southern Pacific Ocean region.
- It includes Tuvalu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Easter islands, French Polynesia, Pitcairn, Tokelau, Wallis & Futuna Islands.
- Polynesians are the indigenous people who reside on the islands of Polynesia.
- New Zealand is the largest country in Polynesia.
About MELANESIA
- Most westerly Pacific island group
- Lies between the Equator and Tropic of Capricon
- Important Islands of Melanesia:
- PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Capital: Port Moresby
- FIJI – Capital: Suva
- SOLOMON ISLAND – Capital: Honiara
- NEW CALEDONIA – Capital: Noumea
- VANUATU – Capital: Port Vila
