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Chapter 31
Human Geography of
Oceania, and Antarctica:
Migration and Conquest
Pacific islanders remained isolated. Eventually, European colonization greatly altered the entire region.
Section 2: Oceania
A History of the Islands
 Nations in the Region
 All, except Nauru, are island groups
o Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia
o Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
o Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
 First Islanders
 Prehistoric people come from mainland by land bridges, rafts, canoes
o use voyaging canoes to travel as far as Hawaii, Madagascar
 Three geographic, cultural regions:
o Micronesia—“tiny islands”
o Melanesia—“black islands”
o Polynesia—“many islands”
 Contact with the West
 Europeans explore Pacific in 1500s
 Missionaries try to convert islanders to Christianity in 1800s
 Westerners replace traditions; local societies decline
o Europe, U.S. turn islands into territories, possessions
 Recent History
 Fierce WWII battles fought in Pacific between Allies and Japan
o After war, U.S. and others use islands to test nuclear weapons
 Many islands have gradually moved toward self-rule
o 12 nations have become independent since in 1962
o Foreigners still rule the other islands
A Traditional Economy
 Agriculture
 In most economies, people work at subsistence activities
o A family produces the food, clothing, shelter it needs
 High islands’ soil supports crops
o Bananas, sugar, cocoa, coffee, copra—dried coconut meat
Culture of the Islands
 Language and Religion
 Very linguistically diverse region includes 1,100 languages
o Christianity is most widespread religion due to missionaries; Some islanders practice traditional religions
Island Life
 Traditional Life
 Polynesian villages were led by chiefs; societies were warlike
o Fishing, farming economies
o Taro—starchy root that makes poi—a major crop
 Micronesians were more peaceful, lived in extended family groups
 Recent Change
o Few cities, but they’re growing; People move for education, jobs
o Fast growth means shantytowns, bad sanitation
o Urban dwellers giving up traditional ways
 Modern communication links island groups, connects Oceania to world
Section 3: Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica
 Both Australia and New Zealand were colonized by Europeans and still have a strong European heritage.
 Because of its harsh climate Antarctica has no permanent settlements.
History: Distant European Outposts
 The Original Inhabitants
 Aboriginal people migrate to Australia from Asia 40,000 years ago
o Hunter-gatherers with complex religious beliefs, social structures
 New Zealand settled by Maori—migrated from Polynesia 1,000 years ago
 Early Explorers
 European explorers arrive in 1600s, 1700s
o Captain James Cook explores New Zealand (1769), Australia (1770), Hawaii (1778)
 Antarctica is discovered in 1820
 European Settlement
 In 1788 Britain colonizes Australia
o Sydney founded as a penal colony—a place to send prisoners
 Hunters, whalers from U.S., Europe, and Australia colonize New Zealand
 British fight Australian Aborigines; spread European diseases
 Gold discoveries in Australia (1851), New Zealand (1861) draw people
Modern Nations
 Rights and Land Claims
 Australian colonies become independent in 1901, New Zealand in 1907
 In 1893, New Zealand is first country to give women the vote
 In both countries, native people have less education, more poverty
 Issues
 Australian movement to leave British Commonwealth is defeated in 1999
 1959 Antarctica Treaty preserves unsettled continent for research
o 18 countries have scientific research stations, 7 claim territories
Distinctive Cultures
 Australia’s Culture
 Most Australians are of British descent
o But many immigrate from places like Greece, Italy, Southeast Asia
o Over 20% are foreign born; 1% are Aboriginal
 New Zealand’s Culture
 Mostly British, European descent; pakehas is Maori term for whites
o 15% of people are descended from Maori
 British, Maori cultural mix—English, Maori are official languages
Modern Life
 City and Country
 Both countries highly urbanized: 85% of people live in cities, towns
o Australia’s large cities have pollution, traffic problems
o New Zealand’s cites are quiet, un-crowded, and pollution-free
 Recreation
 Tennis, rugby, soccer, Australian rules football are popular
o New Zealand has skiing, mountain climbing