McGraw-Hill OnlineMcGraw-Hill Higher EducationLearning Center
Student Center | Instructor Center | Information Center | Home
World Wide Embassy Resources
Annual Editions Online
New Millennium World Atlas
News Update
Virtual Field Trips
Career Opportunities
Base Maps
Chapter Objectives
Chapter Outline
Flashcards
Crossword Puzzle
Multiple Choice Quiz
True or False Quiz
Fill in the Blanks Quiz
Interactive Maps with Quizzing
Animations
More Study Questions
Web Links
Feedback
Help Center


World Regional Geography: The New Global Order Update, 2/e
Michael Bradshaw, College of St. Mark and John

South Pacific

Chapter Outline

Use this outline to increase your understanding of the important characteristics of the South Pacific.

  1. Core in the Periphery -- Australia and New Zealand are core countries located far from other core areas and have small, peripheral island countries as neighbors to the north and east. Populations are small and virtually zero for Antarctica. Distances are long adding to transportation costs.
  2. Europe Transplanted -- Distance delayed colonization of this region.
    1. South Pacific Cultures -- The Aborigines, Maoris, Melanesians, Micronesians, and Polynesians are the important native cultural groups.
    2. European Colonization -- Colonized initially as a penal colony, Australia became several competing colonies until federation in 1901. British settlement in New Zealand lagged behind Australia. The different South Pacific islands were taken over by various foreign powers including the U.S.
  1. World Issue: Pacific Rim -- The South Pacific region has to continue to shift its connections away from Europe toward the other countries of the Pacific Rim, especially those in East Asia.
  2. Natural Environment -- A distinctive fauna and flora are found here.
    1. Oceanic Climates -- Except for Australia's dry interior and Antarctica coldness, tropical waters determine the climates. El Nino has impacts in this region.
    2. Continents and Islands -- The major land areas were part of Gondwanaland until plate tectonics moved the areas to their present positions. The islands are often of volcanic origin.
    3. Unique Biosphere -- Marsupials and eucalyptus trees are the best known of the unique fauna and flora.
    4. Natural Resources -- Resources vary from islands with none to Western Australia's many minerals.
    5. Environmental Problems -- A variety of natural hazards and misuse of land in Australia are the most important concerns.
  1. Australia -- This country is the largest, most populous, and wealthiest in the South Pacific.
    1. Regions of Australia -- Each Australian state and territory has its own character. Most of the people live in cities on the coast where the environment is better.
    2. People -- Immigration compensates for low levels of natural increase. Some Australians have problems accepting increased interaction with Asians. Better treatment of Aborigines is desired by more people.
    3. Economic Development -- Primary products are important exports, especially wool, lamb, beef, coal, and iron ore. These exports increasingly go to East Asia. Low prices for exports are sometimes a problem. Tourism is also important.
  1. New Zealand -- This country is much smaller in area and population than Australia.
    1. Regions of New Zealand --North Island differs from South Island.
    2. People -- An urban country where its native people, the Maori, are fairly successful within the dominant British New Zealand society.
    3. Economic Development -- Primary products and tourism are important. Timber sales to Asia are an important new economic activity.
  1. Living in New Zealand -- Ample land, temperate climate, isolation, anti-French feelings, new products like deer meat and kiwi fruit, Maoris, and new Asian markets are all part of life in this country.
  2. South Pacific Islands -- These islands are relatively obscure.
    1. Islands -- Grouped into three groups based on ethnic background or on location, these islands vary greatly in wealth and standard of living.
    2. People -- Rapid population growth leads to overpopulation on some of these islands. The land and resources are limited.
    3. Economic Development -- Development is limited in much of this region. Minerals help on some islands, but others face a very difficult future. Foreign aid is crucial to islands like Tuvalu. Tourism offers employment for some South Pacific Islanders.
  1. Antarctica -- Not a country, use of this continent is regulated through international agreements. The waters around Antarctica are productive fisheries, but subject to overfishing. Research related to environmental issues is important.
  2. Landscapes -- Most cities are also ports. Extensive areas lack any human activity.
  3. Future Prospects -- Successfully increasing trade with East Asia, especially Japan and other Pacific countries, is necessary. It is important that these countries work together and that Antarctica is protected.