Oceania

Oceania consists of three island groups: ------,--------, and ------These groupings are based on location, how they formed, and culture.

Melanesia Micronesia Polynesia

Which of the following shows the three areas of Oceania in the order in which they were settled?

Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia

The----------------was created to manage tuna populations sustainability.The members include eight Pacific Island countries that together control 25 percent of the world's supply of tuna. The PNA members are Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

Nauru Agreement Concerning Cooperation in the Management of Fisheries of Common Interest (also known as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, or PNA

pidgin

a blend of English and indigenous words to form a new language

trust territory

a dependent area that the United Nations placed under the temporary control of another country

coral reef

a reef made up of fragments of corals, coral sands, algal and other organic deposits, and the solid limestone resulting from their consolidation

Much of Oceania lacks ----- land, which in turn limits agriculture. Farmers on smaller islands use traditional farming and fishing. On some islands, the village or island ------owns the land and rents or leases it to farmers.

arable government

Island type and location also influence resources. Low islands have poor soils and few resources beyond the sea. These mainly consist of--------,---------, ------, and seabed --------. The volcanic materials of the islands of American Samoa include an abundance of -----and------. Fiji, also volcanic, has timber, gold, and a potential for offshore oil. Fiji also generates ---------.

coconut oil dried coconut (copra) bananas minerals pumicite pumice hydropower

Pollution also poses a threat to the waters of Oceania and is damaging to the -----. Agricultural runoff and inadequate ------ cause pollution that further threatens freshwater supplies. -------- also threaten the subregion's oceans.

coral reefs sanitation Agricultural runoff, chemical fertilizers, and organic waste

Many of the countries in Oceania have---------. Programs continue to be initiated, however, through grassroots organizations, government efforts, and international organizations.Environmental education is also an important factor in managing natural resources.

developing economies

A generally windless area called the ------- occupies a narrow band near the Equator where the direct rays of the sun cause air to rise vertically instead of blowing horizontally.

doldrums

Many islands in Oceania have a ------ that includes the government imposed upon them by colonial powers and their traditional, indigenous systems of government.

dual government system

Many Pacific Islanders suffer from their countries' poor ----- and--------

economies low standards of living

The isolation of many of the islands in Oceania makes for the presence of ---------species. Species that are endemic to a particular location are found ---------. The intentional and accidental introduction of new species to the islands of Oceania has resulted in -------changes to the ecosystem.

endemic only in that place negative

The U.S. nuclear testing in Oceania was stopped. The effects of radiation ---------------, however, have continued. In the 1990s, the United States government provided ----to help decontaminate Bikini Atoll. It also set up a ----- trust fund to provide grants for blast survivors from Rongelap Atoll and their offspring.

exposure and environmental damage $90 million $45 million

Asian migrants settled Oceania in --------along island coasts. They survived on fish, turtles, and shrimp, as well as ----- and coconuts.

family groups breadfruit

Rising sea levels not only cause loss of land but also contaminate the limited ----- sources of the low islands with salt water

freshwater

Many coral atolls and volcanic islands hold only limited supplies of ------. The lack of clean drinking water keeps the standard of living low. It also poses barriers to -------in some countries.

freshwater economic growth

Powerful chiefs were recognized for their ability to communicate with the --- and secure--- and other valuables for the people.

gods food

Hot, steamy rain forests thrive where -------- drench island interiors.

heavy rains

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions still occur on many --------, one of the island types in Oceania

high islands

The underwater mountain ranges vary from-------ranges to ---------- that run for thousands of miles. Many of the ranges have exposed volcanic summits. The summits are visible as islands or chains of islands that dot the ocean.

isolated complex systems

The islands had been their homes for thousands of years. Many of these cultures practiced religious beliefs that connected them to the-----and----. In many of the societies, the----- was the person of highest status. Complex systems of ranked lineages and kinship groups had developed. Many societies, such as that of the Marshall Islands, were ------, meaning that family history was traced through the mother's family.

land sea chief matrilineal

Before the era of modern transportation and advanced communications, vast distances of open ocean separated the peoples of the subregion from the rest of the world. As a result, isolated groups developed their own-----------without outside interference.

languages and belief systems

Micronesia, meaning "-------," lies north of Melanesia in the western Pacific. It includes the countries of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and Kiribati. The area also includes the ----territories of Guam and the Mariana Islands.

little islands U.S.

In the central Pacific, Polynesia, meaning "-------," spans an area larger than either Melanesia or Micronesia. The independent countries Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu are found in Polynesia. Other island groups, known as French Polynesia, are French territories and include Tahiti, Polynesia's largest island. Some of the islands of Polynesia, such as those that make up the state of -----, are clustered relatively close together. Other islands are extremely remote. Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, lies more than 2,000 miles (3,219 km) west of Chile and some 1,200 miles (1,931 km) from its nearest island neighbor.

many islands Hawaii

On many high islands, however,---------have greater population density.

mountain areas

The nuclear legacy also has had---- effects. Antinuclear activism is a major factor in regional politics. French plans to conduct nuclear tests on an atoll in French Polynesia caused antinuclear demonstrations. The international outcry led to an early---- to the tests.

political halt

Low islands have ---- and few ------. The landscape of low islands increased ------ between people since lack of physical barriers

poor soil natural resources interaction

Arriving by sea from Southeast Asia, the Austronesian peoples settled in Melanesia about 4,000 years ago. Pottery, tools, and shell ornaments date their arrival in the islands. The languages they spoke were similar to languages used in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Language was used to test theories of migration among people in the region. Distances were great across ocean waters. Migration between the islands meant the people were accomplished mariners. The migration theory explained both when and how the islands were first inhabited. It also explained the cultural differences and similarities in this region.

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In 1954 the United States exploded a nuclear device on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The people of Bikini Atoll had been moved to safety. However, those living downwind of the explosion on Rongelap Atoll were exposed to massive doses of radiation. This exposure resulted in deaths, illnesses, and genetic abnormalities.

read

Most of the islands in Oceania have only small amounts of mineral resources and lack large manufacturing centers. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Caledonia have mineral deposits. Papua New Guinea's rich deposits of gold and copper have only recently been exploited. Nauru's deposits of phosphates are depleted due to excessive mining. Manufacturing in Oceania is mostly limited to small-scale enterprises like clothing production. Many of the larger islands with forests have sawmills that produce lumber for export or domestic use. Some of the larger islands have facilities that process agricultural products, such as coconut oil and cane sugar.

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Overseas companies also have a stake in the management of Oceania's natural resources. Foreign companies are actively mining and logging on the islands and deep seabeds of the subregion. The investment in tourism by foreign companies is also a factor in managing the natural resources of the subregion. As new resorts are built, the environment is affected. Fiji has created a tourist sector that builds energy-efficient hotels, cuts carbon emissions, and reduces the impact on the environment.

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Polynesia includes Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and French Polynesia. The ancestors of present-day Polynesians may have come to the islands 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. The western islands—Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, and Tonga—were settled first. These first Polynesians grew traditional crops and domesticated animals. Women gathered plants and were weavers. Many Polynesians share a similar language and culture. Today the largest population of Polynesians lives in the Samoan Islands.

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The exact cause of Easter Island's deforestation is not certain. However, a few theories prevail. Some scientists believe that uncontrolled populations of rodents were the cause. Others blame overexploitation of the available resources or the island's natural fragility for the deforestation. The loss of forest caused soil erosion that limited the inhabitants' ability to grow crops.

read

The peoples of the subregion practice several different religions. These include Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. Sometimes the religions are combined with traditional religious beliefs. Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Oceania and was introduced by Europeans. Hinduism was introduced to Fiji when thousands of Indians immigrated to work on plantations. Over 30 percent of the population of Fiji is Hindu.

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Which of the following became the major crop when Europeans developed plantations in the 1800s?

sugar

High islands have rich soils that support agriculture. Products grown for export include------- The high islands also have rain forests with diverse flora and fauna. The islands with forests, such as Samoa, harvest -----. Islands without forests have to------ lumber. In addition to forests, the Solomon Islands have a variety of other natural resources. These resources include fish and other marine animals, -------, ----- phosphates, lead, zinc, and nickel.

sugar, coffee, and cocoa hardwoods import bauxite gold

When Europeans settled in Oceania in the 1800s, they developed plantations for growing ----------, and other tropical products that were sold around the world. Europeans also brought new diseases that resulted in epidemics among the indigenous populations

sugarcane, pineapples

The labor-intensive practice of----is used to grow crops on the sides of hills. Terracing helps reduce------ runoff and ----. Irrigation practices such as ----are used to slow down the flow of water to help trap sediment and control erosion. ---------is another innovative agricultural practice used in Oceania. Planting a diversity of crops helps preserve the soil and increase productivity.

terracing irrigation erosion simple flooding Crop diversification

the Pacific is the -----body of water on the planet. It also has the greatest --------of all the oceans. The----- marks the division between the North Pacific and the South Pacific.

largest biodiversity Equator

How many different languages of the world's 3,000 languages are spoken in Oceania?

1,200

-----continues to be an important economic activity in the subregion, but new industries are contributing to national economies. ---- has gained in importance as people looking for scuba diving in pristine waters select the islands of the Pacific for their environments. Niche markets, such as ---- and ------ have increased in Oceania.

Agriculture Tourism call centers web development

The islands of Oceania were probably first settled by peoples from ----around 40,000 years ago.

Asia

--- communities also exist in the subregion. Chinese, Japanese, and South Asian traders and laborers settled parts of Oceania during the 1800s.

Asian

Many young people migrate to ------------

Australia, the United States, and France.

-------- and ------ move imports and exports to and from the subregion. Principal trading partners of Oceania include the --------------. Commercial airlines and cruise ships bring travelers. Air transport and interisland shipping are the vital lines for transportation. Many of the island groups in Oceania have---------. Extensive road networks are limited to the larger islands.

Cargo ships planes United States, Japan, and Australia international airports

and the ------are becoming common in the subregion. The subregion's -------and------- products earn the bulk of its export income. Countries also export handicrafts—such as baskets, floor mats, ceremonial masks, and pottery—made by island craftspeople.

Cellular, digital, satellite communications Internet agricultural mining

The low islands of Oceania are in particular danger. -------- can cause sea levels to rise and produce extreme weather. Managing the resources of these islands will help reduce their vulnerability. Programs include the protection of --------- on these islands. In some cases, infrastructures have been relocated farther inland.

Climate change mangroves and seagrass habitats

Why is it difficult to protect women against violence in Oceania?

Cultural practices, such as forced marriage, still exist.

Deforestation and the loss of native species are not new to the islands of Oceania. ------ , also called Rapa Nui,had already lost most of its native plant species by the late 1700s. When European explorers first arrived on Easter Island in the late 1700s,----- had already taken place. They found a grassy island devoid of plants greater than 10 feet (3 m) in height. The island at one time had been covered with a ------- dominated by large palms, an ecosystem entirely different from what the Europeans observed.

Easter Island deforestation subtropical forest

Today ----is widely spoken in Oceania

French

--------------reported that nearly 25 percent of all living coral was lost between 1994 and 2006 on Maui. Grants offered by the ------ aim at controlling pollution, managing watersheds, research, monitoring, and education.

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) EPA

in ------, there is the practice of early arranged marriages and forced marriages. The practice of burning and scarring brides also occurs among some ethnic groups in the region even though it is against the law.

Melanesia

Present-day causes of deforestation include mining and logging. Although mining is beneficial to Papua New Guinea's economy it has had negative impacts on the rain forests there. -------cause destruction of forest habitats and pollute waterways and oceans.

Mining operations

Countries with valuable timber resources, such as--------, are developing plans to use forest resources without damaging the environment.

Papua New Guinea

Melanesia includes--------

Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, as well as New Caledonia

Which of the following is a feature of high islands?

mountain ranges

The testing of ------- has had major effects on parts of the subregion's environment

nuclear weapons

The rich soils of high islands support a diverse group of ------------

plants and animals

Only----and ---- grow on dry, low islands. These islands have only a small proportion of ------.---- and other trees appear on islands with more rainfall.

shrubs grasses arable land Palms

The resources on low islands come mostly from

the ocean

kinship group

a group of people related by blood or marriage

Beginning in the -----, islands in Oceania, also called the Pacific Islands, began gaining independence.

1960s

-----and----are closely related to each other. Buildings are carved with elaborate designs. Detailed designs are also important in the symbolic art of ------in Oceania. Creating decorative patterns on the skin by scarification, the intentional scarring of the skin by incision or burning, and tattooing are practiced by some culture groups.

Art architecture body tattooing

Like other world regions, Oceania is threatened by climate change.One resulting impact is an apparent increase in the frequency and severity of the ----weather pattern.

El Niño

Micronesia includes the ------

Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, Guam, and the Mariana Islands.

The world's greatest ocean depth has been measured in the --------

Mariana Trench

Polynesia includes ----

Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and French Polynesia.

Which of the following best describes the number of islands in Oceania?

There are thousands of islands

How is the wet season different on low islands from high islands?

There is less rainfall

High islands have sources of freshwater that support -------- The low islands typically have---- freshwater sources other than places that catch rainwater.

agriculture no

low island

an island formed by the buildup of coral reefs on the rim of submerged volcanoes; sometimes known as an atoll

high island

an island with mountain ranges and volcanic soils

climate change

any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time

Melanesia, meaning "---------" lies north and east of Australia. Melanesia includes island countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, as well as New Caledonia, a self-governing French territory. The largest country is ---------with an area of 178,850 square miles (461,693 sq. km)

black islands Papua New Guinea

Well-built----- made lengthy voyages possible. Thus---- gradually developed between islands. To make trading easier, people on some islands used long strings of--------as money. On a few islands, shell money is still exchanged today for canned goods or vegetables at markets.

canoes trade shell pieces

The Solomon Islands represents one example of -------- occurring in the subregion. Traditional beliefs are starting to resurface and guide decision making

cultural rebirth

Melanesian cultures -------, even among groups living on the same island. Some Melanesians are more closely related to----than to other Melanesians. The earliest people of Melanesia were the --------. They were hunters and gatherers that adapted to the rain forests on New Guinea. Some estimates date their arrival on the island to 40,000 years ago.. Eventually the early Melanesians domesticated root crops and sugarcane.

differ greatly Polynesians Papuans

What items are traded in Oceania?

foodstuffs and fuel

Volcanoes shaped another type of islands, -----

low islands.

The fact that low islands typically have no freshwater sources

makes them unable to support agriculture

The majority of the exports moving from west to east and from north to south are----------on their way to markets. Conversely, most of the exports that are shipped from east to west and from south to north are------. The small islands of Oceania depend heavily on trade

manufactured goods raw materials

The status of women varies from strong --------- to --------- long accepted as a part of a culture.

matrilineal leadership victims of violence

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States struggled for control of various Pacific islands. These countries wanted to acquire or expand their influences in the region and gain new sources of ------

raw materials

ocean warming

rise in the temperature of the ocean water

The management of resources includes reforestation plans and implementation of "-----," or no-take zones to control overfishing.

tabu

Most of Oceania has a --------climate and is warm------ The ---season features cloudless skies, but the wet season brings constant ----------

tropical wet year-round dry rain and high humidity

After World War I, most of Germany's territories came under Japanese colonial rule. During World War II, those same islands were the sites of fierce battles. The United States and its allies were fighting to drive the Japanese from these islands. After Japan's defeat in the war, its Pacific territories were turned over to the United States as ----

trust territories

The traditional family structure has consisted of many generations living in the same---- and often in the same -----.

village house

Some islands have rich----and ample----

volcanic soil rainfall

The first people to settle in Micronesia are thought to have arrived by ocean canoes some ---------years ago from Southeast Asia and Melanesia. The islands in this region are more --------. A larger population suggested that more migrants arrived and that they had skills necessary to develop farming and trading economies.----- has again been used as the key to dating the arrival of the first people to these islands.

2,000 to 3,500 densely populated Language

In the Solomon Islands, missionary schools provided primary education until the mid-1970s. Differences in education throughout the subregion can be seen in the varying rates of literacy. For example, over --- percent of Fiji's population is literate, but only --- percent of the inhabitants of Papua New Guinea are literate.

93 57

The settlement patterns of Oceania were limited by the physical geography of the region. ------, such as those on the larger islands of Melanesia, created an environment of cultural differences between people living on the coast and those living inland.

Isolated valleys

How are the islands of Micronesia different from other islands in Oceania?

They are more densely populated

------ helps to offset the lack of natural resources on many of the islands, especially the mineral-poor low islands.

Tourism

The -------------- has established programs to protect, restore, and maintain water quality around the coral reefs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The population of Oceania's islands varies considerably, . Population is not evenly distributed among the countries of the subregion. Papua New Guinea has the largest population, with about 7 million people. Nauru has a population of about 10,000 people. ----population varies greatly. For example, the capital city of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, has a population of nearly 300,000. In contrast, Apia, the capital city of Samoa, has a population of approximately 36,000.

Urban

Although many islands in Oceania lack abundant natural resources, some have excellent resources for ----

tourism

the direct rays of the sun cause air to rise vertically instead of blowing horizontally. As the air rises, air from the north and south is drawn in by the low surface pressure, creating the -------. The flow also causes ----- to form.

trade winds typhoons