AUSTRALIA, OCEANIA, & ANTARCTICA

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

UNIT FIVE:

Australia Great Dividing Range – Breaks up

Australia’s level landscape.

Stretches from Australia’s eastern coast to Tasmania.

Most of Australia’s rivers start within the Great Divide.

The Great Barrier Reef –

The world’s largest coral reef.

Contains more than 2,500 small reefs.

Extends 1,250 miles long

Natural Resources

10% of the land is farmable.○ Examples: Wheat, Barley, Fruit, and

Sugarcane.

Ranching cattle, sheep, and chickens.

Very rich in natural resources.

Oceania Island Groups

Melanesia – “Black Islands”○ Lies north and east of Australia.

Micronesia – “Tiny Islands”○ Located north of Melanesia.

Polynesia – “Many Islands”○ Stretches from the Midway Islands to New

Zealand.

Island TypesHigh Islands – Formed by volcanoes and

earthquakes○ Some Agriculture is supported by the volcanic soil.○ Example: Tahiti

Low Islands – ○ Atoll – Ring shaped Islands.○ Lagoons – Shallow pools of clear water and usually

rise only a few feet about sea level.○ Low Islands contain very little soil and resources.

Continental Islands – ○ Formed by the rising and folding of ancient rock

from the ocean floor.○ Coastal areas consist of plains, swamps, and rivers. ○ Interior areas consist of volcanoes, mountains, and

valleys.

New Zealand North Island

Lined with golden beaches, forests, and rich soil.

The Central Plateau is full of hot springs and active volcanoes.

Mt. Raupehu is the Island’s highest point.

South IslandSouthern Alps – are located along the

western edge of the island.○ Aorangie “Cloud Piercer”

is also known as Mt. CookSits at 12,316 ft high.

Natural ResourcesNew Zealand is filled with fertile volcanic

soil, which greatly benefits the country’s economy.

Antarctica Climate in Antarctica is Ice Cap

The lowest Temperature ever recorded was -126 degrees.

However, West Antarctica has a mild climate that reaches above freezing in January.

The LandContains several active Volcanoes.The highest point is Vinson Massif at

16,066 ft.

Animal/ Plant LifeTemperature and isolation have made plant life

and animal life difficult.Most vegetation consists of Algae, Lichens,

and mossesAnimals are found in and around the Antarctic

Ocean. ○ Ex. Penguins, whales, and seals

Natural Resources1% of the land has been surveyed and

proven to be very rich in resources.○ Ex. Coal, copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, oil, and

natural gas.

Climate Humid Subtropical

Located in Oceania and New ZealandAverage precipitation in 80 in.Filled with tropical forests and grasslands.

DesertLocated in Australia’s Western PlateauSparse rainfall and plant life

SteppeReceives about 10-20 in. of rain a year.Located around Australia’s Western Plateau