Oceania

Oceania is a geographic region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Spanning the eastern and western hemispheres, Oceania has a land area of 8,525,989 square kilometers (3,291,903 sq mi) and a population of over 41 million. When compared to continents, Oceania is the smallest in land area and the second smallest in population after Antarctica.

Geography

Oceania is centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Australia, the largest landmass in the region, is considered part of the continent of Australia. New Zealand is considered part of Polynesia. The rest of the region is made up of thousands of smaller islands, including the countries of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Solomon Islands, among others.

History

The history of Oceania is rich and varied. It includes the history of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands. The first settlers of Australia, New Guinea, and the large islands just to the east arrived more than 60,000 years ago.

Culture

The culture of Oceania is rich and diverse. Traditional arts such as carving, weaving, and pottery are common throughout the region, as are performance arts such as dance and music.

Economy

The economy of Oceania is varied, but is heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture. Australia and New Zealand have the largest economies in the region, with other countries having smaller, but still significant, economies.

See also

• Geography of Oceania
• History of Oceania
• Culture of Oceania
• Economy of Oceania

Oceania Resources
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