Oceania: Geographic and Cultural Overview

Introduction

• Oceania is a vast geographic region in the Pacific Ocean, including roughly 10,000 islands.
• Covers about 20 million square miles, about one-third of the Pacific, but land area is small (324,000 square miles).
• Papua New Guinea and New Zealand make up nine-tenths of the land area.
• Population is around 14 million, with most in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
• Geographically divided into Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.

Excluded Regions

• Australia is often excluded due to cultural and geographic reasons.
• Excludes countries near the Asian mainland (e.g., Indonesia, Philippines, Japan) and the eastern Pacific is mostly excluded.

Cultural and Historical Divisions

• The division into Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia is a European construct but useful for reference.
• Polynesia: Includes New Zealand, Tuvalu, Tonga, Samoa, and parts of French and American territories.
• Micronesia: Includes Palau, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and parts of Kiribati and US territories.
• Melanesia: Includes Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia.

Land and Climate

• Diverse climates and landscapes, from deserts to rainforests, mountains to coral reefs.
• Islands classified as high (volcanic or continental) or low (coral).

Continental Islands

• New Zealand and parts of Melanesia are continental with old rock formations.

Volcanic Islands

• Near the Pacific tectonic plate edge, part of the "Ring of Fire."
• Includes explosive volcanoes and shield volcanoes (e.g., Hawaii).

Coral Reefs and Atolls

• Atolls are rings of land around lagoons; many low islands have fertile soil.
• Vulnerable to storms and rising sea levels.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis

• Frequent earthquakes due to tectonic activity; can cause tsunamis.

Climate

• Generally hot and humid year-round; no true winter or summer.
• Influenced by trade winds and El Niño events.

Plants and Animals

• Tropical plants and varied animal life where rainfall is abundant.
• Extinction and endangerment due to human activities and invasive species.

People and Culture

• Population of 14 million, mostly in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
• Diverse indigenous groups alongside later arrivals.

Settlement Patterns

• Agriculture is a major livelihood; traditional extended-family groups.
• Urbanization has altered traditional village life.

Daily Life and Culture

• Community support networks are important for social and economic needs.
• Traditional skills and customs are declining in some areas.

Economy

• Main income sources: agriculture, fishing, mining, tourism.
• Remittances, foreign aid, and exports are vital for island economies.

Agriculture and Fishing

• Subsistence farming and fishing are traditional livelihoods.
• Coconut and copra are key products.

Mining

• Small mineral reserves; phosphate and nickel are significant.

Tourism

• Seen as a potential growth area, though jobs are often low-paying and seasonal.

History

• Early settlers from Southeast Asia 50,000-30,000 years ago.
• European colonization brought significant cultural and economic changes.
• World War II and post-war economic developments transformed island life.
• Nuclear testing and environmental concerns (e.g., global warming) are ongoing issues.

Additional Reading

• Suggested books and articles for further exploration of Oceania's history, culture, and environment.