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Australia and Oceania on hemisphere map

Australia and Oceania on world map

Oceania- the collective name for a vast cluster of islands and atolls in the central and western Pacific Ocean. The boundaries of Oceania are conditional. The island is considered to be the western border, the eastern one. As a rule, Oceania does not include Australia, as well as the islands and archipelagos of Southeast Asia, Of the Far East and North America... In the section of geography, regional studies, Oceania is studied by an independent discipline - ocean studies.

Geographical position

Physical map of Australia and Oceania

Regions of Australia and Oceania

Australia and Oceania Political Map

Oceania is the world's largest cluster of islands located in the southwestern and central Pacific Ocean, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and temperate Southern hemispheres. When dividing the entire land mass into parts of the world, Oceania is usually united with Australia into a single part of the world, Australia and Oceania, although sometimes it stands out as an independent part of the world.

Geographically, Oceania is subdivided into several regions: (in the northwest), (in the west), and (in the east); sometimes isolated.

The total area of ​​the islands of Oceania, the largest of which is, is 1.26 million km² (together with Australia 8.52 million km²), the population is about 10.7 million people. (together with Australia 32.6 million people). Excluding Australia, Oceania in terms of total area and total population is comparable to the African state.

The islands of Oceania are washed by numerous Pacific seas (Coral Sea, Tasman Sea, Fiji Sea, Koro Sea, Solomon Sea, New Guinea Sea, Philippine Sea) and Indian oceans(Arafura Sea).

The equator and the international date line pass through Oceania. It is a broken line, most of which runs along the 180 ° meridian.

Sea currents

Throughout Oceania, along the equator, there are warm North trade winds, South trade winds and counter-trade currents. In the southwestern part of Oceania, the warm East Australian Current passes. Oceania is characterized by the absence of cold sea currents (with the exception of the Pacific Ocean to the southeast of New Zealand), which largely determines the climate of this region.

Independent states

Main article: List of states and dependent territories Oceania

Dependent Territories and Trusteeship Territories

Geology

Mount Jaya in Western New Guinea (Indonesia) - highest point Oceania

From the point of view of geology, Oceania is not a continent: only Australia, and have a continental origin, formed on the site of the hypothetical continent of Gondwana. In the past, these islands were a single land, but as a result of the rise in the level of the World Ocean, a significant part of the surface was under water. The relief of these islands is mountainous and highly dissected. For instance, highest mountains Oceania, including Mount Jaya (5029 m), are located on the island.

Most of the islands of Oceania are of volcanic origin: some of them are the tops of large submarine volcanoes, some of which still exhibit high volcanic activity (for example, Hawaiian Islands).

Other islands have their origin, being atolls, which were formed as a result of the formation of coral structures around submerged volcanoes (for example, the Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). Distinctive feature such islands are large lagoons, which are surrounded by numerous islets, or motu, the average height of which does not exceed three meters. In Oceania, there is an atoll with the largest lagoon in the world - Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands archipelago. Despite the fact that its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 sq. Miles), the area of ​​the lagoon is 2,174 km² (or 839.3 sq. Miles). The largest atoll in terms of land area is Christmas Island (or Kiritimati) in the Line Archipelago (or Central Polynesian Sporades) - 322 km². However, among the atolls, there is also a special type - an uplifted (or uplifted) atoll, which is a limestone plateau up to 50-60 m above sea level. This type of island has no lagoon or traces of its past existence. Examples of such atolls are Banaba.

The relief and geological structure of the Pacific Ocean floor in the Oceania region has a complex structure. From the peninsula (part of) to New Zealand located a large number of depressions of the marginal seas, deep-sea oceanic trenches (Tonga, Kermadec, Bougainville), which form a geosynclinal belt characterized by active volcanism, seismicity and contrasting relief.

On most of the islands of Oceania, there are no minerals, only the largest of them are being developed: nickel (), oil and gas (island,), copper (Bougainville island), gold (New Guinea,), phosphates (on most islands, deposits are almost or have already been developed, for example, in, on the islands of Banaba, Makatea). In the past, decomposed seabird droppings were actively developed on many islands in the region and were used as nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. 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 at the moment no development is being carried out due to economic inexpediency.

Climate

Space shot of Kwajalein Atoll

Coast of Caroline Atoll (Line Islands, Kiribati)

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

The climate of the islands of Oceania is determined mainly by the trade winds, so most of them receive heavy rainfall. Average annual precipitation ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 mm, although on some islands (in particular due to the relief and on the leeward side), the climate may be drier or more humid. One of the wettest places on the planet is located in Oceania: 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, the average temperature is about 23 ° C, at the equator - 27 ° C, with little difference between the hottest and coldest months.

The climate of the Oceania 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 towards the equator; during La Niño, it moves south towards the equator. In the latter case, severe drought is observed on the islands, in the first case, heavy rains.

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 July 1999 killed 2,200 people.

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

Soils and hydrology

Stream on the island of Efate (Vanuatu)

Due to the different climatic conditions, the soils of Oceania are very diverse. The soils of the atolls are highly alkaline, of coral origin, and very poor. They are usually porous, which makes them very poor at retaining moisture, and also contain very little organic and mineral substances with the exception of calcium, sodium and magnesium. The soils of volcanic islands are generally of volcanic origin and are highly fertile. On large mountainous islands, there are red-yellow, mountain lateritic, mountain-meadow, yellow-brown soils, yellow soils, and red soils.

Large rivers are found only on the South and North Islands of New Zealand, as well as on the island on which the largest rivers of Oceania, Sepik (1126 km) and Fly (1050 km) are located. The largest river in New Zealand is the Waikato (425 km). Rivers are primarily fed by rainwater, although in New Zealand and New Guinea rivers are also fed by melting glaciers and snow. On the atolls, rivers are completely absent due to the high porosity of the soils. Instead, rainwater seeps through the soil to form a lens of slightly brackish water that can be reached by digging a well. For more large islands(usually of volcanic origin) there are small streams of water that flow towards the ocean.

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

Flora and fauna

Kiwi is a symbol of New Zealand

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

The fauna of Oceania belongs to the Polynesian faunal region with a subregion of the Hawaiian Islands. The fauna of New Zealand stands out as an independent region, New Guinea - in the Papuan subregion of the Australian region. The greatest variety are New Zealand and New Guinea. On the small islands of Oceania, primarily the atolls, mammals are almost never found: many of them are inhabited only by the small rat. But the local avifauna is very rich. Most of the atolls are home to bird colonies where seabirds nest. Among the representatives of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country. Other endemics of the country are kea (lat.Nestor notabilis, or nestor), kakapo (Latin Strigops habroptilus, or owl parrot), takahe (lat.Notoronis hochstelteri, or wingless sultana). 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 has a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy significant areas. For example, the Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati have been the world's largest marine reserve since January 28, 2008 (with an area of ​​410,500 km²).

Story

Main article: Oceania history

Pre-colonial period

Island and nearby islands Names of Russians on the map of the tropical Pacific Ocean. A source:.

Letter from N. N. Miklukho-Maclay to the Chief of a squadron of ships in the Pacific Ocean with a proposal to acquire areas on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, convenient for coal storage, March 30, 1873.

In the Russian Empire, after V. Bering discovered the north-western coast of America in 1741, merchant companies, with the support of the Siberian administration, organized about 90 fishing expeditions to the end of the 18th century. Pacific Ocean... The Russian-American Company (1799-1867) was established by the state to deal with administrative matters and trade in Alaska and the Pacific Ocean. In May 1804, two ships "Nadezhda" and "Neva" approached the Hawaiian Islands. These were the first Russian ships to make circumnavigation... In the heart of the tropical Pacific Ocean there are atolls and islands of Russians, Suvorov, Kutuzov, Lisyansky, Bellingshausen, Barclay de Tolly, Krusenstern reef and many others. Another distinctive aspect of all the travels that took place is the mutual friendliness in the history of meetings between Russians and the peoples of the Pacific Ocean.

Nikolai Nikolaevich Miklukho-Maclay's map of Russia's alleged territorial acquisitions in the Pacific Ocean, filed in a letter to Alexander III, December 1883.

Letter to the Main Naval Headquarters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the proposal of NN Miklouho-Maclay on Russian acquisitions in the Pacific Ocean with a resolution “... consider this matter finally finished. Refuse Miklouho-Maclay ", December 1886.

As the first European who settled on the shores of the Astrolabe Bay in New Guinea and explored this area, N.N. Miklukho Maclay repeatedly proposed to peacefully occupy or take under Russian patronage a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Russian scientist sent letters to the Naval Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, personally to Emperor Alexander III.

Colonial period

Ships of the English traveler James Cook and canoes of the natives in Matawai Bay on the island of Tahiti (French Polynesia), painter William Hodges, 1776

In the period from the 16th to the 18th century, the period of the study of Oceania by Europeans continued, who gradually began to populate the islands. However, the process of European colonization proceeded very slowly, since the region did not arouse much interest among foreigners due to the lack of natural resources, and negatively affected the local population: many diseases were brought that had never been in Oceania, and this led to epidemics, in as a result of which a significant part of the natives perished. At the same time, there was a Christianization of the inhabitants, who worshiped numerous deities and spirits.

In the 18th-19th centuries, the islands of Oceania were divided between the colonial powers, primarily the British Empire, and (later the German Empire joined them). Of particular interest among the Europeans was the possibility of creating plantations on the islands (coconut trees for the production of copra, sugar cane), as well as the slave trade (the so-called "Hunting blackbirds", involving the recruitment of islanders to work on plantations).

In 1907 it became a dominion, but formally it became a completely independent state only in 1947. After the First World War, the first political organizations began to emerge ("May" in Western Samoa, "Fijian Youth" in Fiji), fighting for the independence of the colonies. During World War II, Oceania was one of the theaters of military operations, where many battles took place (mainly between Japanese and American troops).

After the war, the region experienced some improvements in the economy, but in most colonies it was one-sided (the predominance of the plantation economy and the almost complete absence of industry). Since the 1960s, the process of decolonization began: in 1962 it gained independence, in 1963 - West Irian, in 1968 -. Subsequently, most of the colonies became independent.

Postcolonial period

After gaining independence, most of the Oceania countries have retained serious economic, political and social problems, the solution of which is carried out with the participation of international organizations (including the UN) and within the framework of regional cooperation. Despite the process of decolonization in the 20th century, some islands still remain dependent to one degree or another: New Caledonia A portrait of a representative of the indigenous people of New Zealand - Maori

The indigenous inhabitants of Oceania are Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians and Papuans.

The Polynesians living in the countries of Polynesia are of a mixed racial type, combining the features of the Australoid and Mongoloid races. The largest peoples of Polynesia are Hawaiians, Samoans, Tahitians, Tongans, Maori, Marquesas, Rapanui and others. Native languages ​​belong to the Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian family of languages: Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, Maori, Marquis, Rapanui, and others. The characteristic features of Polynesian languages ​​are a small number of sounds, especially consonants, an abundance of vowels.

Micronesians live in the countries of Micronesia. The largest peoples are the Carolinians, Kiribati, Marshalls, Nauru, Chamorro and others. Native languages ​​belong to the Micronesian group of the Austronesian family of languages: Kiribati, Caroline, Kusai, Marshall, Nauruan and others. The Palau and Chamorro languages ​​belong to West Malay-Polynesian, and Yapi forms a separate branch in the Oceanian languages, which also includes the Micronesian languages.

Melanesians live in the countries of Melanesia. Racial type - Australoid, with a small Mongoloid element, close to the Papuans of New Guinea. Melanesians speak Melanesian languages, but their languages, unlike Micronesian and Polynesian, do not form a separate genetic grouping, and the linguistic fraction is very large, so that people from neighboring villages may not understand each other.

Papuans inhabit the island and some areas. By anthropological type they are close to the Melanesians, but differ from them in language. Not all Papuan languages ​​are related to each other. The national language of the Papuans in Papua New Guinea is the English-based Tok Pisin Creole. According to various sources, the peoples and languages ​​of the Papuans number from 300 to 800. At the same time, there are difficulties in establishing the difference between a separate language and a dialect.

Many languages ​​of Oceania are on the verge of extinction. V Everyday life they are increasingly being replaced by English and French.

The situation of the indigenous population in the countries of Oceania is different. If, for example, in the Hawaiian Islands their share is very low, then in New Zealand the Maori make up up to 15% of the country's population. The share of Polynesians located in Micronesia is about 21.3%. The majority of the population is made up of numerous Papuan peoples, although the proportion of immigrants from other islands of the region is also high.

In New Zealand and Hawaii, the majority of the population is Europeans, whose share is also high in (34%) and French Polynesia (12%). On the islands, 38.2% of the population is represented by Indo-Fijians, the descendants of Indian contract workers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century.

Recently, in the countries of Oceania, the proportion of immigrants from (mainly Chinese and Filipinos) has been increasing. For example, in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Filipinos account for 26.2% and the Chinese for 22.1%.

The population of Oceania is mainly Christian, adhering to either the Protestant or Catholic branch.

Economy

Economy of Oceania. Donation and economic unions.

Geographically, Oceania is the world's largest cluster of islands located in the western and central Pacific Ocean. Far from us, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and temperate southern hemispheres. Many classifications usually combine Oceania with Australia, although Australia is a continent as we know it.

Oceania is a world of great contrasts, many interesting plants grow here, unique nature and an unforgettable culture.

The total area of ​​the islands is 1.26 million square kilometers (and together with Australia 8.52 million km²). The population is almost 11 million. (for a company with Australia - 32.6 million people).

Oceania is divided into three geographical regions, the names of which inspire thoughts of adventure and virgin nature. Their names are Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. The islands of Oceania are washed by many seas of the Pacific Ocean - the Coral Sea, Solomon, New Guinea, Tasman Sea, Coro and Fiji, as well as by the Arafura Sea, which belongs to the Indian Ocean basin.

The origin of sushi in Oceania

Geologically, only Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania are of continental origin. They were once part of the prototype of Gondwana, which fell apart. Then these islands were solid land, but the waters of the World Ocean rose to a considerable height and part of the surface was flooded. The highest parts of the land that belonged to Gondwana now rise above the water.

The relief of most of the islands is mountainous and highly dissected. There are truly high peaks in Oceania, including Mount Jaya (5029 m) on the island of New Guinea.

Island types

Colossal transformations took place sometime in these places, apparently. It is determined that most of the islands in Oceania have arisen as a result of volcanic activity. Some are the tops of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still exhibit high volcanic activity (for example, in the Hawaiian Islands).

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There are also many islands of coral origin in this region. These are atolls that have arisen as a result of the growth of corals around submerged volcanoes (for example, Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). Such islands often have large lagoons that are protected from open sea numerous islets, the average height of which above the water level does not exceed three meters.

Oceania has an atoll with the world's largest lagoon - Kwajalein (archipelago Marshall Islands). The ratio of its land area is striking - 16.32 km², but the area of ​​the lagoon is 2174 km². So it is written in the reference books, I had never imagined that the area of ​​the island could be less area bay (lagoon).

There is another record atoll in Oceania. This time the largest in terms of land area. Is called Christmas Island (or Kiritimati) in the Line archipelago, has an area of ​​322 km².

Among the atolls, there is also a special type - the raised (or raised) atoll. Such an atoll is a limestone plateau with a height of 50-60 m above sea level. This type of island has no lagoon or traces of its existence in the past. Examples of such atolls are Nauru, Niue, Banaba.

In the Oceania region, the bottom of the World Ocean has a complex structure. The region is characterized by active volcanism, seismicity and contrasting relief.

Oceania countries

Omniscient Wikipedia gives the following classification:

Oceania. Climate

Tropical climate prevails. Oceania is characterized by high rainfall. On the islands located closer to the tropical belt, the average annual temperature is +23 ° C, on the islands in the equatorial region - +27 ° C.

Oceania's climate is influenced by currents such as La Niña and El Niño. Most islands in Oceania are negatively impacted active volcanoes... Tsunamis and typhoons also happen here.

Drastic changes happen here weather conditions- torrential rains give way to droughts.

Oceania population

Although colonialists from Europe and America actively tried to exploit these territories, the majority of the local population are indigenous. Such as Micronesians, Polynesians, Papuans. Polynesians are mixed racial types - they show the features of Caucasians and Mongoloids.

The largest groups of Polynesians are Hawaiians, Maori, Tongans, Tahitians. Each nationality has its own language, a feature of which is the almost complete absence of consonants.

Among the Melanesians, the linguistic fragmentation of the tribes is very great. Often, residents of even neighboring villages cannot understand each other. Papuans, as in the days of Cook, inhabit some regions of Indonesia and New Guinea.

All Papuan languages ​​are very similar to each other. But now they are based on the native language of the very same Cook, which, according to legend, was eaten, i.e. English. So if you speak English, you will be able to speak to you easily with a Papuan.

Flora of oceania

Oceania has a great extent both in latitude and along the meridian. So vegetable world the islands are very diverse. There are representatives here that are quite surprising for us, such as:

• breadfruit,
• coconut palm,
• ferns
• orchids.

Animal world

The fauna of the islands of Oceania is less diverse, because mammals are practically absent.

New Zealand and New Guinea are the most diverse in Okenia. On the small islands of Oceania, first of all, the atolls, mammals are almost never found: many of them are inhabited only by rats, and even then there are few (they are probably guarded there !?).

But the islands are very rich in bird colonies where seabirds nest. Among the representatives of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country. Other common bird species are kea (or nestor), kakapo (or owl parrot), takahe (or wingless sultanka).

Ocean islands are the most exotic and unusual travel destination. It is enough that when a fierce winter is raging at home, then in the Southern Hemisphere it is the height of summer. 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 rather arbitrary. In fact, this is a cluster of islands in the central and western Pacific Ocean. Easter Island is considered the eastern point, New Guinea - the western one. Geographers unite Oceania with Australia and consider these lands to be a separate part of the world.

In a rather long list there are islands such as New Zealand, New Guinea, Fiji, Easter, Solomon, Hawaiian and many others. Most of the islands are formed by volcanic activity, and many fire-breathing mountains are still dangerous.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea covers an area comparable in area to Sweden, and in fact 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 di Menezes, clearly alluding to the hair of the aborigines: "Papua" in Malay means "curly". More than 820 languages ​​are in use here - this is due to some isolation of the tribes from each other due to the highlands.

Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands, with only a third of them 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 - aboriginal cannibalism. The leader possessed indisputable 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's hard to find more hospitable people. Here you will be treated to the most unusual dishes: boiled bat, stew in banana leaves and even a fried snake. However, the beauty of the rainforest and varied underwater world Fiji, 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 - ecosystems 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. Local tribes at that time definitely did not like the white-skinned Europeans ... Now New Zealand is considered the most safe country the world. Only James Cook in 1769 dared to sail here next, he also contributed to the inclusion new country into English possessions. The island's symbol is the wingless, timid kiwi bird - that's what New Zealanders call themselves. Well, Tolkien fans must 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' dwelling with your own eyes.

Solomon islands

The Solomon Islands are little known in the world. This is due to the remoteness from other geographic objects. Meanwhile, there is a constant mild climate and nature, unique in its beauty. For example, the salt lagoon Marovo with sparkling blue water - the largest in the world - is about to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is also the most elevated coral island - East Rennell. Tengano is so big freshwater lake on the territory of the southern hemisphere, which includes 200 islands. As for the inhabitants, their manners and habits are quite curious. For example, many of them still worship sharks. Aboriginal people before the arrival of missionaries were predominantly bounty hunters. By the way, about 10% of the black inhabitants of the Solomon Islands are blondes. This is due to a mutation that appeared many centuries ago - it has nothing to do with the settlements of Europeans.

Fauna and flora

The flora and fauna of the islands of Oceania amaze the imagination of experienced tourists with their exoticism. What is a breadfruit! “Whoever plants a breadfruit will do more to feed his descendants than a grain grower who sweats a field all his life,” wrote James Cook. One plant can produce up to 700-800 "loaves" - special fruits with a sweetish pulp, from which a kind of rolls are "baked". Sago palms in New Guinea provide the starch that makes delicious pancakes. In the abundance of rainforests, you can find cake trees - the sweet taste of their fruits really resembles confectionery. Well, bananas-coconuts are innumerable at all - without these fruits, the aborigines would not have been 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 scaring and even causing harm. In the jungle there is a danger of stepping on a snake - well, or it itself dives down from a branch. Contrasted with dangers - indescribable beauty birds of paradise and cute muzzles of marsupials. By the way, opossums, as many mistakenly believe, are not found in Oceania: possums live there. This confusion arose even during the research of James Cook - the biologist of the expedition attributed the marsupials to the possums living in America.

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

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

ETNOMIR, Kaluga region, Borovsk district, Petrovo village

In the ethnographic park-museum "ETNOMIR" - amazing place... "City" street is built inside a spacious pavilion, therefore, on Peace Street it is always warm, light and good weather- just right for an exciting walk, especially since within the framework of the latter you can make 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 of 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 particular country. The very appearance of the houses begins the story of distant lands.

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

Its total area is 1.3 million km2. Moreover, 90% of the territory is occupied by two islands - Novaya (829 thousand km) and (269 thousand km2).

Oceania became known to Europeans in the 16th century, from the time of the first travel around the world F. A special chapter in the history of its discovery and research is made up by the voyages of Russian seafarers. In the 19th century alone, it was visited by more than 40 Russian expeditions, which collected valuable scientific information. A great contribution to the study of Oceania was made by N.N. , who described the life and life of the peoples inhabiting the islands, as well as the islands and shores of the tropical sea. The contribution of compatriots to the study of Oceania is evidenced by Russian names on its map. The origins of the islands are different:

Modern political map Oceania was formed as a result of the stubborn struggle of the colonial powers for the division of islands and archipelagos among themselves. Until the beginning of the 60s of the XX century, there was one independent state in Oceania - created by colonists from England.

In the states of Oceania, the production of coconuts, coffee, spices is of great importance. Timber harvesting is a promising industry in a number of countries (Solomon Islands, Fiji, Western Samoa). In recent years, manufacturing enterprises have been built in Oceania with the help. They are mainly focused on the domestic market.

Oceania is an extremely peculiar region of the world with surprisingly beautiful nature, a distinctive culture, so its unique begins to be actively used, and it becomes a place of pilgrimage for tourists and vacationers (Fiji, Papua New Guinea).

In terms of the level of socio-economic development, the states of Oceania differ significantly from each other. The most developed is New Zealand, the least - the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu. A serious hindrance to the development of countries is the remoteness from economically developed centers the world.

The island groups and archipelagos of the western and central parts are united into a geographical area under the general name Oceania. Historically, all the islands were divided into four ethnographic and geographical areas: (Tonga, Samoa, Cook, Hawaiian, Easter Island, etc.), Melanesia (island, Bismarck archipelago, islands, etc.), (, Mariana Islands, etc.), New. Most of Oceania islands are concentrated in between 10 ° S. sh. and 20 ° N. sh.

A great contribution to the study of the nature and population of Oceania was made by the Russian scientist N.N.Miklouho-Maclay. He studied the life of the peoples of the island of New Guinea, left descriptions of the nature of the coastal territories. NN Miklouho-Maclay's scientific research was associated with his conviction of the need to protect backward and oppressed peoples. In the very late XIX v. on the Hawaiian Islands lived and worked our fellow countryman, a native of the Mogilev province NK Sudzilovsky.

Geological structure and relief of Oceania

Remember how mainland, volcanic and coral islands were formed. The largest mainland islands in Oceania are New Guinea and New Zealand. Volcanism is a characteristic process in this region. The Hawaiian Islands are home to the Kilauea volcano, one of the most active active volcanoes on the ground. Volcanic islands form giant island arcs. They have an elongated configuration. Oceania abounds in coral islands - reefs and atolls, which form whole archipelagos (Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu).

Oceania climate

The islands of Oceania are found mainly in the equatorial, subequatorial and. Only Northern part The Hawaiian archipelago enters the subtropics, while the southern part of New Zealand is located in the temperate zone. In Oceania, there are two climatic regions: trade wind and monsoon. The climate of Oceania is characterized by small temperature fluctuations: from + 30 ° С during the day to +21 ° С at night. Winds from the ocean soften the heat. It is never too cold or too hot here, so the climate of Oceania is considered the most comfortable on the globe. The main directions are from east to west. They promote the dispersal of organisms.

Oceania is dominated by sea air masses. In areas where monsoon circulation prevails, precipitation falls between 3000-4000 mm per year. The Hawaiian Islands, on the windward slopes, receive over 12,090 mm of precipitation per year. This is one of the wettest places on Earth. The distribution of precipitation is associated with the presence of mountains. On the island of Hawaii, there are areas where less than 200 mm a year falls per year.

Among the very dangerous and destructive natural phenomena there are tropical hurricanes. They destroy plantations, destroy dwellings, and sometimes the emerging waves wash away all living things. The local population is wary of settling on the Cook Islands and Tuamotu, where hurricanes are often observed. The subtropical and temperate climate is typical for New Zealand, where in winter there are frosts down to -13 ° C, and there is snow in the mountains.

Flora and fauna of Oceania

The isolation of the island's landmass has the greatest impact on it and. The diversity of the world of plants and animals depends on the age of the islands, their size and distance from the mainland. He is poorest of all coral islands where fresh water is scarce and soils are poor. Only a few dozen plant species grow on them. On the islands of Oceania, mainly in Melanesia, the most ancient plants have been preserved, for example, tree ferns, reaching 8-15 m in height. The flora of New Zealand is rich and peculiar (pines, palms).

Vegetable and animal world Oceania is distinguished by two characteristics. Rare species that are not found on the mainland have survived here. At the same time, on many islands, entire groups of organisms that are common on the mainland are almost completely absent. Many of the flowering plant species found on land are absent, but spore plants are widespread. The islands have preserved ancient plants that grew on the mainland in the geological past (podocarpus, agathis (kauri), etc.).

The fauna of the islands is poor. There are no mammals on many islands, with the exception of rats, mice, goats and cats brought here. There are many seabirds: petrels, albatrosses, gulls, which nest here and hatch chicks. Weed chicken, a representative of the Australian fauna, is found on the island of New Guinea.

In New Zealand, the oldest flightless bird, the kiwi, is very cautious, living in dense grasses, the Maori shepherd boy. The kiwi bird is featured on the coat of arms of New Zealand. In New and New Zealand, there are rare species of parrots - the kakapo, or owl, and the kea parrot with a strong sharp and curved beak. The primordial tuatara survived on one of the islets of New Zealand.

On some islands only 5-7 species of seabirds nest. At the same time, the number of bird species in New Guinea is more than 100, the fauna of insects is rich (more than 3700 species).

Minerals of Oceania

Mineral resources on the islands of Oceania are extremely unevenly distributed. The economy is conducted where there are valuable minerals. So, in New Caledonia there are up to 25% of the world reserves of nickel, on Christmas Island there are reserves of phosphates. Among the states of Oceania, Papua New Guinea stands out, where there are gold, silver, and explored reserves.

Oceania's economic activities

The population of Oceania is about 10 million people. There are several hypotheses about the ways of settling Oceania. Most scientists believe that Oceania was inhabited by people from South-East Asia many millennia ago. According to the hypothesis of Thor, Heyerdahl was settled by immigrants from America.

The inhabitants of Oceania were skilled sailors and shipbuilders. They sailed thousands of kilometers from their native islands. Modern Oceanians are engaged in cultivating coconut trees, bananas, cocoa, coffee. The traditional trade is fishing. The nature and life of the people of Oceania are largely subject to natural catastrophic disasters (tropical hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanism).

On many islands of volcanic and continental origin, non-ferrous metal ores, coal are mined, and phosphorite deposits are being developed. Every year the states of Oceania become objects international tourism... The nature of the islands changes under the influence of human economic activity. On the site of the destroyed natural plantations, where sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, tea, coffee, rubber and other crops are cultivated.

Oceania Political Map

The modern political map of Oceania has developed as a result of the long struggle of the colonial powers for the division of the oceanic archipelagos among themselves. Until the early 60s. XX century in Oceania there was one independent state - New Zealand. By the end of the twentieth century. more than 10 independent states were formed in Oceania. A number of islands and archipelagos remain politically and economically dependent on the world. Most of the Hawaiian Islands archipelago has been the 50th US state since 1959.

The formation of the nature of Oceania is influenced by the Pacific Ocean, its remoteness from other continents, and its location in tropical latitudes. The basis of the economy of most countries in Oceania is agriculture. Mining is carried out on many islands.