Geographical characteristics of Australia and Oceania. Oceania is a Report on the Islands of Oceania

Geography of Australia and Oceania
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Oceania is divided into several large regions: Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

In addition, Oceania includes thousands and thousands of coral islands located along the coasts of countries in the region. Some definitions include the region as all states and territories in the Pacific Ocean between the North and South America and Asia, in which case Taiwan and Japan would also be part of Oceania, not Asia.

Oceania is not only a geographical region and ecozone, it is also a geopolitical region defined by the United Nations, and includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and other island nations that are not included in the Asian region, as well as a host of coral atolls and volcanic islands of the southern part Pacific Ocean, including Melanesian and Polynesian groups. Oceania also includes Micronesia, a widely scattered group of islands stretching along the northern and southern edges of the equator.

Oceania, the planet's smallest continent, is without a doubt one of the most diverse and amazing regions on the planet.

Islands of Oceania

Geographical diversity of Oceania

Oceania is represented by a variety of landforms, the most significant of which are located in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. And, since most of the islands of Oceania are represented only by simple points on the map, it is impossible to display their relief and landscape features.

Many of these small islands are the result of ancient volcanic activity, or represent coral atolls, surrounding the lagoon partially or entirely. Only a few islands have rivers of any significant size, and the same applies to lakes. Therefore, only recognized ones will be listed below. geographical features and attractions of Australia.

Relief and landscape of Australia

Australia is very dry, with only 35 percent of the country receiving little (sometimes no) rainfall. Almost 20 percent of the country is desert in one form or another.

Lake Eyre Basin

Lake Eyre itself is 16 m below sea level, and is located in the driest part of Australia. It usually contains some water, but Lately, due to the harsh drought conditions in the country, there is no water at all. The Lake Eyre basin is considered the world's largest inland drainage system, covering an area of ​​one-sixth of the country's total area. Rivers in this region flow depending on rainfall, and because there is very little rainfall, isolated water wells are essential to life.

Great Sandy Desert

This arid Western Australian steppe, south of the Kimberley Plateau, covers an area of ​​almost 300,000 sq km and contains scattered bushland and rocks. It has miles of red sand ridges (dunes) and very few people live in its area.

Great Victoria Desert

Known for its red sand dunes, native wildlife and isolation, the Victoria Desert (nearly 350,000 sq km in area) is almost 750 km wide and is a mostly barren area of ​​red sand hills and ridges. , dry salt lakes, with very little big amount greenery

Great Artesian Pool

It is one of the largest artesian groundwater basins in the world and is also a vital source of water for Australian agriculture.

Great Barrier Reef

This picturesque coral reef, approximately 2,000 km long, contains the largest coral deposits in the world. It is not a single reef, but rather an unusual mosaic of over 2,800 independent coral reefs. Known throughout the world for its beauty and wildlife(there are over 1,500 species of fish here alone), it became the first Australian site World Heritage in 1981

Great Dividing Range

Situated along the eastern/south-eastern edge of the country, and extending all the way to Tasmania, these mountain ranges and ridges separate Australia's dry interior from its coastal regions. The most highest point– Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) in the Australian Alps. National Park Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Site located in New South Wales, two hours' drive from Sydney, is one of the most... beautiful places in the world, and one of Australia's most visited places.

Shark Bay

Shark Bay is one of only 14 places on the planet that meet all four natural criteria to be designated a World Heritage Site. These criteria include outstanding examples of earth evolution, biological and ecological processes, outstanding natural beauty, and significant natural habitats for animals and plants. This bay has the largest number of seagrass species in one location, and supports rich aquatic life for dolphins, dugongs, sea snakes, turtles, whales, and of course, sharks.

Fraser Island

Situated along the Australian Coral Sea, north of Brisbane, Fraser Island is Australia's fourth largest island (after Tasmania, Melville, and Kangaroo), and the second largest sand island in the world. Created thanks to the efforts of winds over thousands of years, this island is 120 km long and 15 km wide.

Cape York Peninsula

Considered one of the "last remaining undeveloped areas on Earth", Cape York contains a large number of jagged mountains, tropical forests, vast mangrove forests, grasslands, swamps, and fast-flowing rivers.

Kimberley Plateau

The Kimberley, much of which is still unexplored, is famous for its dramatic red landscapes of cliffs and gorges, and for the very strong ocean tide that occurs twice daily, which accelerates river flows to dangerous levels and creates whirlpools. Dozens of islands and coral reefs line the coastline, and access to this region of Australia is very difficult, as there are few roads leading here.

Gibson Desert

Covered by small sand dunes and a few rocky hills, this 156,000 sq. km. The desert is home to many Aboriginal reserves. Lack of rain makes farming and raising livestock difficult here.

Simpson Desert

This desert, measuring 176,500 square kilometers, is drifting. Its windswept dunes are starved of rain and the summer heat can be brutal. High temperatures in the desert often exceed 50ºC, and although people are advised to exercise extreme caution in this region, summer time years, the desert itself is definitely not lifeless. Tourists often visit here during winter and they often visit the spectacular scenery national park Queensland Simpson Desert.

Tanami Desert

Similar to the Great Sandy Desert, this desert also has many red sand plains, is also dominated by shrub vegetation, and has lonely hills scattered throughout its territory. The desert is generally uninhabited, except for a few mines and a small livestock farm.

Nullarbor Plain

This sparsely populated area of ​​southwestern Australia is very dry and has very little water. It can only be reached by crossing the Eyre Highway, named after the famous explorer Edward John Eyre, who became the first person to cross Australia from east to west in the mid-1800s. Along south coast The local topography of the Great Australian Bight has no equal. Huge stretches of pure white sand, which can be found at the Baxter Rocks along the Bay, are very impressive.

Darling/Murray river system

The Darling River, 1,879 km long, flows southwest from the banks of the Great Dividing Range to the Murray River. The Murray originates in the Australian Alps and flows for 1,930 km. to Spencer Gulf, immediately west of Adelaide. This longest river in Australia, and it is a vital source of irrigation for the country's largest agricultural region.

Darling Range

This low mountain range lies off the southwestern coast of Australia. Its highest point is Mount Cook (580 m).

MacDonnell Range

Got a celebrity because of Ayers Rock, and how favorite place For hikers and rock climbers, this range of hills, ridges, and valleys is very popular due to the constant good weather and beautiful landscape. The highest point is Mount Zil (height - 1,531 m).

Hamersley Ridge

A reddish-brown low mountain range located in Western Australia, home to many Aboriginal people. This national park famous for its red rock gorges and waterfalls.

Ayers Rock (Uluru)

Oceania is the name of a region of the world consisting of island groups in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. It covers more than 8.5 million km². Some of the countries that make up Oceania include Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru. Oceania also includes several dependent territories such as American Samoa, Johnston and French Polynesia.

Physical geography of Oceania

From point of view physical geography, the islands of Oceania are often divided into four different subregions based on geological processes that played an important role in their physical development. The first one is. It stands out due to its location in the middle of the Indo-Australian plate, and the lack of mountain building during its development. Instead, the current physical features of Australia's landscape have been shaped primarily by erosion.

The second region of Oceania consists of islands located at the boundaries of the collision between the plates of the earth's crust. They are located in the South Pacific Ocean. For example, on the collision line of the Indo-Australian and Pacific plates, and includes places such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Northern part The Pacific Ocean also has similar types of landscapes along the boundary of the Eurasian and Pacific plates. Colliding tectonic plates are responsible for the formation of mountains, such as those in New Zealand, that rise more than 3,000 m above sea level.

Volcanic islands such as Fiji are the third category of landscape type found in Oceania. These islands typically rise from the sea floor in hot spots in the Pacific Ocean basin. Most of these areas consist of very small islands with high mountain ranges.

Finally, island coral reefs and atolls such as Tuvalu are the final type of landscape in Oceania. Atolls are specifically responsible for the formation of low-lying land areas, some with enclosed lagoons.

Oceania Climate

Climate map of Oceania according to Köppen

Most of Oceania is divided into two climatic zones: temperate and. Most of Australia and all of New Zealand are in the temperate zone, while most of the Pacific islands are considered tropical. Temperate regions of Oceania have high rainfall levels, cold winters and warm to hot summers. The tropical regions of Oceania are hot and humid all year round.

In addition to these climatic zones, most countries in Oceania are subject to continuous trade winds and sometimes hurricanes (called tropical cyclones), which have historically caused catastrophic damage to the countries and islands of the region.

Flora and fauna of Oceania

Because most of Oceania lies in the tropical or temperate climate zone, abundant rainfall helps support the growth of tropical and temperate rainforests throughout the region. Tropical rainforests are common in some island countries, near the tropics, while temperate rainforests are found in New Zealand. Both types of forest support a variety of animal and plant species, making Oceania one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.

It is important to note that not all areas of Oceania receive high rainfall and some parts of the region are arid or semi-arid. Australia, for example, has large areas of dry land that support little diversity of flora. In addition, El Niño has caused frequent droughts in recent decades in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The fauna of Oceania, like its flora, is also extremely beautiful. Because much of the region is made up of islands, unique species of birds, animals and insects have evolved in complete isolation. The presence of coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kingman Reef also provide areas of high concentration of flora and fauna, and are considered biodiversity hotspots.

Population of Oceania

Oceania has a population of about 40 million, with the bulk of the people (about 30 million) living in Australia and New Zealand, while Papua New Guinea has a population of about 8 million. The remainder of Oceania's population is scattered across the various islands that make up the region.

Like population distribution, urbanization and industrialization are also unevenly distributed across Oceania. About 89% of the region's urban areas are in Australia and New Zealand, and these countries also have the most well-developed infrastructure. Australia, in particular, has reserves of many minerals and energy feedstocks, and generates much of the region's economy. The rest of Oceania and, in particular, the Pacific island states are very underdeveloped. Some islands are rich, but most are not. In addition, some of island states are experiencing a shortage of clean drinking water or food.

Agriculture is also important in Oceania and there are three types that are common in the region. These include subsistence agriculture, plantation crops and capital-intensive agriculture. Subsistence farming occurs on most Pacific Islands and is carried out to support local communities. Cassava, taro, yams and sweet potatoes are the most common products of this type of agriculture. Plantation crops are planted in the middle tropical islands, while capital-intensive agriculture is practiced only in Australia and New Zealand.

And finally, fishing and tourism are important sectors of the Oceanian economy and a driver of its development. Fishing serves as an important source of income because many islands have maritime exclusive economic zones that extend over 370 km. Tourism is also important to Oceania, as tropical islands such as Fiji offer aesthetic beauty, while Australia and New Zealand offer developed cities with modern infrastructure. New Zealand has also become important tourist region in the sphere.

Oceania countries

Map of Oceania countries/Wikipedia

Below is a list of 14 independent countries Oceania, ranked from largest to smallest country by area:

1) Australia:

• Area: 7,617,930 km²
• Population: about 25,000,000 people
• Capital: Canberra

2) Papua New Guinea:

• Area: 462,840 km²
• Population: more than 8,000,000 people
• Capital: Port Moresby

3) New Zealand:

• Area: 268,680 km²
• Population: about 5,000,000 people
• Capital: Wellington

4) Solomon Islands:

• Area: 28,450 km²
• Population: about 600,000 people
• Capitals: Honiara

5) Fiji:

• Area: 18,274 km²
• Population: about 900,000 people
• Capital: Suva

6) Vanuatu:

• Area: 12,189 km²
• Population: about 270,000 people
• Capital: Port Vila

7) Samoa:

• Area: 2842 km²
• Population: about 193,000 people
• Capital: Apia

8) Kiribati:

• Area: 811 km²
• Population: about 110,000 people
• Capital: Tarawa

9) Tonga:

• Area: 748 km²
• Population: about 107,000 people
• Capitals: Nuku'alofa

10) Federated States Micronesia:

• Area: 702 km²
• Population: about 105,000 people
• Capital: Palikir

11) Palau:

• Area: 459 km²
• Population: about 21,000 people
• Capital: Melekeok

12) Marshall Islands:

• Area: 181 km²
• Population: about 53,000 people
• Capital: Majuro

13) Tuvalu:

• Area: 26 km²
• Capital: Funafuti

14) Nauru:

• Area: 21 km²
• Population: about 11,000 people
• Capital: No

Phosphorite deposits have been mined. In the past, many islands in the region were heavily mined for guano, the decomposed droppings of seabirds, which were used as nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. On the ocean floor of the exclusive economic zone of a number of countries there are large accumulations of iron-manganese nodules, as well as cobalt, but in currently no developments are being carried out due to economic inexpediency.

5. Climate

Oceania is located within several climatic zones: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate. Most of the islands have a tropical climate. Subequatorial climate prevails on the islands near Australia and Asia, as well as east of the 180th meridian in the equator zone, equatorial - west of the 180th meridian, subtropical - north and south of the tropics, temperate - on most of the South Island in New Zealand.

The climate of the islands of Oceania is determined mainly by trade winds, so most of them receive heavy rainfall. Average annual rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 mm, although some islands (particularly due to topography and downwind areas) may have drier or wetter climates. Oceania is home to one of the wettest places on the planet: on the eastern slope of Mount Waialeale on the island of Kauai, up to 11,430 mm of precipitation falls annually (the absolute maximum was reached in 1982: then 16,916 mm fell). Near the tropics average temperature is about 23 °C, at the equator - 27 °C, with little difference between the hottest and coldest months.

The climate of the Oceanian islands is also greatly influenced by such anomalies as the El Niño and La Niña currents. During El Niño, the intertropical convergence zone moves north toward the equator; during La Niña, it moves south away from the equator. In the latter case, the islands experience severe drought, while in the former, heavy rains occur.

Most of the islands of Oceania are subject to the destructive effects of natural disasters: volcanic eruptions (Hawaiian Islands, New Hebrides), earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones accompanied by typhoons and heavy rains, droughts. Many of them lead to significant material and human losses. For example, the tsunami in Papua New Guinea in July 1999 killed 2,200 people.

On South Island In New Zealand and on the island of New Guinea, there are glaciers high in the mountains, but due to the process of global warming, their area is gradually decreasing.

6. Soils and hydrology

Soils are very diverse due to different soil formation conditions. On the large mountainous islands of western Oceania, in a hot and humid climate, red-yellow lateritic soils are developed under moist evergreen forests; higher up the slopes there are mountain lateritic soils, yellow soils, red soils and yellow-brown soils; on the highest peaks there are mountain-meadow ones. In the central and eastern Oceania Lateritic soils are found only in large islands composed of weathered lavas. On fresh ashes and young lavas there are Andosols, dark-colored and fertile. Deforestation, plowing and natural disasters cause severe erosion. The soils of the atolls are thin, carbonate, and often saline.

Rivers and lakes are found mainly on large mountainous islands in the western part of Oceania, composed of sedimentary and crystalline rocks. There are few or no rivers or lakes on the volcanic and coral islands and eastern Oceania, where atmospheric moisture seeps into porous basalts and limestones. The rivers are fed mainly by rain; only some mountain rivers in New Guinea and New Zealand have additional snow and glacial feeding. The maximum flow occurs at the end of summer (with glacial feeding during the summer). Maximum winter flow - at short rivers New Zealand (South Island). Almost all large rivers begin high in the mountains, where they flow in deep valleys, have rapids beds, and have large reserves of hydropower. On coastal lowlands they sharply slow down the flow, are navigable, and have swampy valleys. The mouths of small rivers are blocked by sand spits and mangroves. Largest rivers Oceania - Fly and Digul in New Guinea.

On coral and small volcanic islands there are lenses of fresh water that lie above salt water in the soils near the coast. The largest lakes in Oceania are volcanic or glacial, while the smaller ones are oxbow lakes in wide valleys in the lowlands. In areas of active volcanism there are many thermal and salt lakes. New Zealand has the most lakes (there are many geysers on the North Island).

The largest number of lakes, including thermal ones, are located in New Zealand, where there are also geysers. On other islands of Oceania, lakes are a rarity.

7. Flora and fauna

The position in a vast expanse of water, the small size of the land and the distance from the continents and each other had a significant impact on the nature of the islands and the life of the peoples of Oceania.

Oceania is included in the Paleotropical region of vegetation. There are 3 subregions: Malesian, Hawaiian, New Zealand. Malesian is characterized by numerous tropical families (pandanus, palms, ficus, laurel, water lilies, bananas, as well as widespread legumes). There are a lot of epiphytes (ferns, orchids). In Hawaiian there are no gymnosperms, ficus trees, there is only one genus of palms (Pritchardia), few orchids, but many ferns - the first plants to settle in the cracks of cooled lava flows. In the New Zealand subregion there are numerous species of Asteraceae, ferns, sedges, and grasses.

Among the most widespread plants in Oceania are the coconut palm and the breadfruit tree, which play an important role in life local residents: the fruits are used for food, the wood is a source of heat, a building material, and copra is produced from the oily endosperm of coconut palm nuts, which forms the basis of exports for the countries of this region. A large number of epiphytes (ferns, orchids) also grow on the islands. The largest number of endemics (both flora and fauna) are recorded in New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, while from west to east there is a decrease in the number of species, genera and families of plants.

On high mountainous islands, on moist windward slopes up to an altitude of 300-600 m, xerophilous hard-leaved forests, thickets of shrubs, and savannas are common; up to 1000-1800 m in a more humid but still hot climate - moist evergreen forests. Up to 3000 m in a cool and very humid climate - “fog belt forests” with shorter trees, an abundance of mosses, lichens, and ferns. Peaks highest islands have alpine vegetation (cushion grasses, low-growing shrubs and dwarf shrubs). On the leeward, drier slopes below there are deserted savannas and semi-deserts with xerophilous prickly, often cushion-shaped grasses, small-leaved shrubs, and low trees; higher up are xerophilic hard-leaved forests, shrubs, and savannas. With an altitude of about 1500 m, a narrow belt of evergreen forests appears. On coral islands the vegetation is especially poor in species.

Large areas are occupied by plantation crops and pastures (New Zealand); The forest area has greatly decreased. Introduced animals caused great damage to vegetation.

The fauna of Oceania belongs to the Polynesian faunal region with a subregion of the Hawaiian Islands. The fauna of New Zealand is allocated to an independent region, New Guinea - to the Papuan subregion of the Australian region. New Zealand and New Guinea are the most diverse. On the small islands of Oceania, primarily atolls, mammals are almost never found: many of them are inhabited only by the Polynesian rat. But the local avifauna is very rich. Most atolls have bird colonies where seabirds nest. Of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become national symbol countries. Other endemics of the country are kea (Latin: Nestor notabilis, or nestor), kakapo (Latin: Strigops habroptilus, or owl parrot), takahe (Latin: Notoronis hochstelteri, or wingless plume). All the islands of Oceania are home to a large number of lizards, snakes and insects.

During the European colonization of the islands, alien species of plants and animals were introduced to many of them, which negatively affected the local flora and fauna.

The region contains a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy large areas. For example, the Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati have been the world's largest marine reserve since January 28, 2008 (area 410,500 km²).

Over time, the fauna and animal population of the islands change significantly. The study of the dynamics of island faunas is of great practical interest. The replenishment of island biota depends, as already noted, on the area of ​​the island and the distance from it to the mainland or other source of settlement.

How larger area islands, those more types lives on it. This is because larger islands have more diverse habitats suitable for colonization by different species.

The peculiarity of island faunas is that they are often the last refuges of archaic animal species.

8. Man in Oceania

Man appeared in Oceania many thousands of years ago. It is not yet clear how the islands were populated. The population is 10 million people. The indigenous people of New Guinea belong to the equatorial race (Papuans). The indigenous population of other islands belongs to a special Polynesian group. In New Zealand, the majority of the population are descendants of immigrants from Europe.

Oceania is the largest collection of islands, located in the central and western parts of the Pacific Ocean (see Fig. 1).

About 10 thousand islands of Oceania are scattered over a vast territory from the subtropical latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere to the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Most of the islands are grouped into archipelagos: New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji, Tuamotu, etc. This location plays an important role for the nature of the islands.

Oceania is divided into three parts: Melanesia (translated from Greek as “Black Islands”), Micronesia (“small islands”), Polynesia (“Many Islands”).

Rice. 1. Map of Oceania

Islands and their origin

Origin, geographical position and the size of the islands of Oceania is closely related to the structure of the Pacific Ocean floor. They are a surface reflection of the underwater oceanic relief, because the islands have their foundations on the ocean floor.

The islands of Oceania have different origins: continental, volcanic and coral.

The relief of volcanic islands is mountainous, while that of coral islands is low-lying. On the vast mainland islands, mountains are combined with plains.

Mainland Islands were formerly parts of the mainland, and were separated from it due to the sinking of land areas below sea level. These islands are located on the shelf.

For example, several tens of thousands of years ago largest island Oceania - New Guinea - was connected to Australia by a 150-kilometer bridge. Its lowering is only

30 m led to the formation of the Torres Strait. The islands of New Zealand are also of continental origin (see Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Mainland island(New Zealand)

Volcanic Islands are the surface peaks of the largest underwater volcanoes, the bases of which lie at great depths (up to 5 km) (see Fig. 3).

These islands are small, rocky, topped by the cones of extinct or active volcanoes. They are located mainly in groups. For example, the Hawaiian Islands are 24 islands and stretch over 2,500 km. They are formed by powerful outpourings of lava from underwater and land-based volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The largest of the islands, Hawaii, is formed by extinct and active volcanoes. Among them is the most high peak in Polynesia - the Mauna Kea volcano (4,210 m).

Rice. 3. Volcanic Island

Coral Islands formed by marine organisms - coral polyps living inside limestone skeletons (see Fig. 4). Clusters of coral skeletons form reefs– elongated strips – or atolls– small ring-shaped islands.

Rice. 4. Coral Island

The foundation for corals is usually the top of an underwater volcano. Therefore many volcanic islands surrounded coral reefs. All coral structures rise above the water only a few meters. That's why the coral islands are low. They rarely rise above 5 m above ocean level and are barely noticeable among the expanses of water. That is why legends say that the inhabitants of Oceania “fished out” their islands from the ocean floor.

Climate

The climate is warm and mild, since most of the islands lie in equatorial and tropical latitudes; only New Zealand is temperate.

Air temperatures are high, but the heat is softened by moist winds from the ocean. They cause heavy rains, so the amount of precipitation is large - more than 4,000 mm per year.

On windward slopes high volcanoes The Hawaiian Islands are home to the wettest place on Earth, receiving 12,500 mm of precipitation per year. But on the leeward slopes there is very little precipitation (200 mm). Tropical cyclones arise in Oceania, which are called typhoons in the Northern Hemisphere, and hurricanes in the Southern Hemisphere. Most of them occur in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. They lead to great destruction. However, in general, despite these dangerous natural phenomena, it is never cold or hot on the islands. Therefore, the climate of Oceania is considered the most comfortable on Earth.

Organic world

The isolation of the islands is the reason for the uniqueness of their organic world. Life is poorest on small and relatively young coral islands; on mainland islands it is richer and more diverse.

Due to the difference in moisture (either a lot or little precipitation), both evergreen moist forests and dry savannas are common.

Coconut and sago palms, melon and breadfruit trees, ficus trees, and orchids grow in the forests. Among the wild plants there are many useful ones - trees with valuable wood (ironwood and sandalwood), plants with juicy fruits (papaya, mango, bananas); plants that produce spices (ginger, nutmeg, pepper). However, the first place undoubtedly belongs to the coconut palm (see Fig. 5).

Rice. 5. Coconut tree

Coral islands with poor soils, lying in a thin layer on coral limestones, have poor herbaceous vegetation. Their only decoration is groves of coconut palms. Interestingly, volcanic and coral islands were populated by plants with the help of wind, currents and even birds that carried their pollen, seeds, and nuts.

Oceania has many endemic species - species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else. For example, tree ferns and cabbage trees grow only in New Zealand. Nowadays, natural forests on the islands are almost eliminated. In their place were plantations of agricultural crops.

Animal world the islands are poor. Among terrestrial animals there are almost no mammals (except mice and rats).

But there are a lot of birds of paradise, pigeons, parrots, weed chickens. The lack of predators led to the appearance of birds without wings - kaguya and kiwi. There are no poisonous snakes on the islands. There are reptiles - geckos, iguanas, lizards, hatteria. The waters surrounding the reefs and islands are home to flying fish, sharks, sea turtles and snakes. Humans played a major role in the spread of animals. The dogs, cats, and pigs he brought multiplied greatly and subsequently went wild.

The giant Moa bird that no longer exists

Before the arrival of man, New Zealand was a kingdom of birds. Mammals, with the exception of a few species of bats, did not exist here. The queen of this feathered state was the giant moa bird...

Its largest specimens reached two meters at the shoulder and weighed more than 200 kg. Females were almost twice as heavy as males.

The giant moa had a natural enemy - the giant eagle, the largest bird of prey on the planet (see Fig. 6).

Rice. 6. Image of the Moa bird

Bibliography

MainI

1. Geography. Land and people. 7th grade: Textbook for general education. uch. / A.P. Kuznetsov, L.E. Savelyeva, V.P. Dronov, series “Spheres”. – M.: Education, 2011.

2. Geography. Land and people. 7th grade: atlas. Series "Spheres".

Additional

1. N.A. Maksimov. Behind the pages of a geography textbook. – M.: Enlightenment.

1. Russian Geographical Society ().

3. Textbook on geography ().

4. Gazetteer ().

Ocean Islands– the most exotic and unusual travel destination. It is enough that when a fierce winter is raging in our homeland, it is the height of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. And although people there do not walk upside down, and the water does not swirl in the opposite direction, the lands of Oceania remain for many a real terra incognita.

What is Oceania?

The boundaries of Oceania are quite arbitrary. It is essentially a cluster of islands in the central and western Pacific Ocean. Eastern point They consider Easter Island, and the western one is New Guinea. Geographers combine Oceania with Australia and consider these lands to be a separate part of the world.

The rather long list includes islands such as New Zealand, New Guinea, Fiji, Easter, Solomon, Hawaii and many others. Most of the islands were formed due to volcanic activity, and many fire-breathing mountains still pose a danger.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea covers an area comparable in area to Sweden and actually connects Australia and Asia. Long before European sailors and Miklouho-Maclay, Indonesian rulers sent their envoys here to hunt for exotic birds and labor. The name of the island was given by the Portuguese Don Jorge de Menezes, clearly alluding to the hair of the aborigines: “Papua” means “curly” in Malay. More than 820 languages ​​are spoken here - this is due to some isolation of the tribes from each other due to the mountainous terrain.

Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands, of which only a third are inhabited. Europeans discovered the Fiji Islands in the 17th century, but did not risk establishing colonies there until the 19th century. There was only one reason - cannibalism of the aborigines. The leader had unquestionable authority and power. In the villages, a respectful attitude towards the head of the tribe is still preserved: only he is allowed to wear sunglasses and hats. But as for tourists... it is difficult to find more hospitable people. Here you will be treated to the most unusual dishes: boiled bat, stew in banana leaves and even fried snake. However, the beauty of Fiji's tropical forests and diverse underwater world, for which it is highly valued by divers, is short-lived: due to climate change, the corals to which the island owes its origin are under threat - environmental communities are sounding the alarm.

New Zealand

New Zealand (or "Land of the Long White Cloud") was discovered in 1642 by the Dutch sailor Abel Tasman. The local tribes at that time definitely did not like the white-skinned Europeans... It is now New Zealand that is considered the most safe country peace. The next to risk sailing here was James Cook in 1769, and he also contributed to the inclusion of the new country into English possessions. The symbol of the island is the wingless, timid kiwi bird - that’s what New Zealanders call themselves. Well, Tolkien fans cannot help but know that all parts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed among local landscapes, and during special tours You can see Hobbiton and the Baggins' home with your own eyes.

Solomon islands

The Solomon Islands are little known in the world. This is due to the distance from other geographical objects. Meanwhile, there is a constant mild climate and uniquely beautiful nature. For example, the Marovo salt lagoon with sparkling blue water, the largest in the world, is about to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is also the highest coral island - East Rennell. Tengano is such a large freshwater lake in the southern hemisphere that its waters include 200 islands. As for the inhabitants, their manners and habits are quite curious. For example, many of them still worship sharks. The Aborigines before the arrival of missionaries were primarily headhunters. By the way, about 10% of black residents Solomon Islands- blondes. The reason for this is a mutation that appeared many centuries ago - it has nothing to do with the settlements of Europeans.

Animal and plant life

The flora and fauna of the islands of Oceania are amazing seasoned tourists its exoticism. What a breadfruit tree is worth! “He who plants a breadfruit tree will do more to feed his descendants than a farmer who spends his whole life cultivating the field by the sweat of his brow,” wrote James Cook. One plant can produce up to 700-800 “breads” - special fruits with sweetish pulp, from which peculiar rolls are “baked”. Sago palms in New Guinea provide starch that is used to make delicious pancakes. In abundance in tropical forests you can find cake trees - the sweet taste of their fruit is truly reminiscent of confectionery. Well, there are countless bananas and coconuts - without these fruits the aborigines would not be able to survive.

People with entomophobia - fear of insects - have nothing to do on the islands of Oceania. Huge spiders, poisonous flies and giant butterflies are quite capable of frightening and even causing harm. In the jungle there is a danger of stepping on a snake - or it will dive off the branch itself. In contrast to the dangers, there is the indescribable beauty of birds of paradise and the touching faces of marsupials. By the way, opossums, as many people mistakenly believe, are not found in Oceania: possums live there. This confusion arose during the research of James Cook - the expedition biologist attributed marsupials to opossums living in America.

Go diving, lie on the best coral beaches in the world, ride alpine skiing, see a parrot in its natural habitat and have the most romantic wedding - this is not a complete list of what newly opened hotels offer tourists Oceania islands.

Pavilion “Around the World. Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia and Oceania"

ETHNOMIR, Kaluga region, Borovsky district, Petrovo village

In the ethnographic park-museum "ETNOMIR" - amazing place. The “city” street is built inside a spacious pavilion, so on Peace Street it is always warm, light and good weather - just right for an exciting walk, especially since you can do a whole trip around the world. Like any street popular with tourists, it has its own attractions, workshops, street artisans, cafes and shops located inside and outside the 19 houses.

The facades of the buildings are made in different ethnic styles. Each house is a “quote” from the life and traditions of a certain country. The very appearance of the houses begins the story of distant lands.

Step inside and you will be surrounded by new, unfamiliar objects, sounds and smells. The color scheme and decoration, furniture, interior and household items - all this helps to plunge into the atmosphere of distant countries, to understand and feel their uniqueness.