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What Is Australia and the Pacific Region Like?



Australia portrait

In this unit, you will travel to the continent of Australia and its neighbors. You'll discover groups of islands and the countries of Australia and New Zealand. You'll visit new people and new places on the world's smallest continent. As you read each chapter, the heading for each section asks a question. Think about the question. Then write two supporting details from each section that answers the question. Now, let's go to the “Land Down Under” the equator.



Get ready to visit Australia and its Pacific neighbors. Find Australia on the map. It sits in the southern Pacific Ocean along with the 1,500 islands that make up Melanesia. To find Melanesia, go to the top of Australia on the map, and then go east. Other island groups in the area are Polynesia (east and south of Melanesia and Micronesia). To find Micronesia, look north of Australia. Micronesia lies north of the equator. These three groups of islands, Australia, and New Zealand are also known as Oceania.

Find central Australia. You will feel the heat of 100ˆ F (40ˆ C) days. This area is hot, dry, and flat. If you are lucky, you might see some kangaroos.

Then it's on to the islands. In Micronesia, you can watch a craftsman carve an entire canoe from a log. In Polynesia, you might help build a home made from palm leaves and bamboo. In Melanesia, you can explore the steamy rain forests of Papua New Guinea.

Australia portrait A sheep ranch in Australia
A kangaroo withher joey
Lady Know geyser, New Zealand

Later, you will travel to New Zealand. Here the climate is milder. There are forests, lakes, and hills. It is home to hot springs and volcanoes.

Australia portrait Political Map of Australia and the Pacific Region
Australia has six states: Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania. The country also has two federal territories. The Australian Capital Territory is where the capital is located. The Northern Territory has very few people.

Australia portrait

Australia portrait

Australia and its Pacific neighbors make up a vast area in the Pacific Ocean. Climates in the region vary.

Additional topics

History Reference: Ancient History & World HistoryThe Eastern Hemisphere - Australia and the Pacific Region