Capital City Canberra (pop. 395,000) Other Cities Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane (1.6 million) Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne (3.5 million), Sydney (4.2 million), Perth (1.3 million) Government Democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign Constitution 9 July, 1900 Independence (federation) 1 January 1901 Geography Location Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Area 7.7 million km² (3 million sq. mi.); about the size of the 48 contiguous United States Terrain Varied, but generally low-lying plateaus with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Climate Relatively dry, ranging from temperate in the south to tropical in the north People Nationality Australian(s) Population 25.7 million (2021)GNI per capita PPP: $49,854 (2019 est.) Ethnic groups European 92%, Asian 6%, Aboriginal 2% Religions Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 21%, other non-Christian 5%, no religion 15% Languages English (official), Italian 12,4%, Greek 9.2 %, Cantonese 7.9 %, only 51 000 people speaking an Australian Indigenous Language at home Literacy 85% Natural resources bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum Agriculture products wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry Industries mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel
Sidney, the most cosmopolitan city in Australia
Western Australia
Overview of Western Australia
- Map of Australia highlighting size of Western Australia
- The state of Western Australia is Australia’s face on the Indian Ocean
- Western Australia’s capital city Perth is closer to Jakarta than it is to other Australian capital cities of Sydney and Canberra
- The narrow Timor Sea separates Western Australia’s northern coastline from the Indonesian Archipelago
- To the south of the State is the Southern Ocean and Antarctica
- Western Australia is the largest Australian state
- With an area of more than 2,500,000 square kilometres, a 12,500 kilometre coastline and spanning 2,400 kilometres from north to south, it occupies a third
of the continent
- Western Australia is one of the most productive and diversified mineral and petroleum regions in the world
- Western Australia is home to 127 high-value, export-oriented mining projects and hundreds of smaller quarries and mines, producing over 50 different
commodities
- Key products include: iron ore; liquefied natural gas; gold; alumina and bauxite; condensate; nickel; crude oil; lithium; base metals (copper, lead and zinc);
natural gas; cobalt; manganese; and mineral sands (garnet, illmenite, leucoxene, zircon and rutile)
- The State leads Australia in minerals and petroleum output and produces a significant proportion of the world’s trade in several key commodities
- For an update on key Western Australia economic indicators please visit the Department of Treasury
- Western Australia offers a business environment which encourages growth and prosperity
- With low sovereign risk, pro-development government policies and a highly skilled and innovative workforce, doing business in Western Australia can be
very attractive
Landscapes between Perth and Broome
Northern territory
- Located in the north central region of Australia, the Northern Territory covers an area of 520,902 sq. miles (1,349,129 sq. km)
- Much of the region is flat, but a few disconnected ranges dot the landscape, including the MacDonnell Ranges, Petermann Ranges and Harts Range
- The best known landform in the Northern Territory is Ayers Rock (known as Uluru) in the southern part of the territory
- Ayers Rock, a national symnol of Australia, is a large sandstone rock formation very sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area - the Anangu - and rises 1,142
feet (348 m)
- Wetlands dominate Kakadu National Park, located in the northern part of the territory, wetlands running to the edges of the Arafura Sea
- The Northern Territory boasts an extensive series of small river systems in its northern reaches that include the Alligator, Daly, Finke, McArthur, Roper,
Todd and Victoria Rivers
- the highest point of the territory is Mount Zeil at 5,023 ft (1,531 m)
- the lowest point is on the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria (0m) Capital Darwin (124,760 population) (2012) Population 241,800 (2014) Density 0.17/km2 (0.4 /sq mi) Currency Australian Dollar (conversion rates) Northern Territory GSP (gross state product) per capita A$16,281 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Darwin, Alice Springs, Palmerston, Katherine, McMinns Lagoon
Darwin, the Northern Territory Capital
Southern Australia
- Humans have inhabited South Australia as far back as 20,000 years ago, as evidenced by rock art in the Koonalda Cave on the Nullarbor Plain
- Europeans arrived in 1627, and by 1788 Britain had claimed South Australia as part of the colony of New South Wales
- Settlements mainly remained along the coast, with only a few explorers venturing farther inland
- Britain's intention for South Australia was to create an ideal likeness to that of British society's best qualities - no religious discrimination or unemployment,
to result in minimal crimes
- On January 1, 1901, South Australia transformed from a self-governing colony into a state of the Commonwealth of Australia
- An assisted migration proposal brought 215,000 new residents of all nationalities into South Australia between 1947 and 1973
- During the 1960s and 1970s in a series of legislations helped South Australia reach a number of "firsts" including a prohibition of discrimination on the grounds
of race, color, country of origin, gender or sexuality
- In 1987, the Olympic Dam mine opened, and became the site for copper, gold, and silver production; it is also the largest known deposit of uranium in the world
- Today, South Australia is known as a state of festivals and fine wines
- Although it has seen its fair share of economic hardship, the state remains politically innovative and culturally vibrant Capital Adelaide (1,230,000 population) (2012) Population 1,674,700 (2014) Density 1.67/km2 (4.3 /sq mi) Currency Australian Dollar (conversion rates) Western Australia GSP (gross state product) per capita A$54,921 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Gawler, Port Pirie, Bridgewater, Port Augusta
Remarkable Rock - Kangaroo Island
Queensland
- The Gold Coast of Queensland, the second-largest state in Australia, was first occupied by Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who arrived
nearly 40,000 years ago
- At that time the region encompassing present-day New South Wales and Queensland was simply known as New South Wales
- A series of conflicts (the Australian frontier wars) raged across the the entire country of Australia between the indigenous peoples and European
settlers in the late 1700s, lasting 151 years
- in Queensland, the battles were more gruesome and bitter than in any other state or territory due to the region's larger population of Aboriginals
- A public meeting was held in 1851 to consider Queensland's separation from New South Wales, and on December 10, 1859 George Bowen read the proclamation of
separation
- Bowen later became the state's first Governor, and Robert Herbert was the first Premier
- As World War II reared its ugly head in the 1940s, Queensland found itself on the frontline, as several cities in the northern part of the state were bombed by
Japan
- Australian and U.S. forces established a strong presence in the state, and tens of thousands of Queenslanders were enlisted into the military Capital Brisbane (2,146,577 population) (2012) Population 4,676,400 (2014) Density 2.61/km2 (6.8 /sq mi) Currency Australian Dollar (conversion rates) Queensland GSP (gross state product) per capita A$55,414 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Thuringowa, Cairns, Toowoomba
Queensland, Gold Coast, a metropolitan region to the south of Brisbane
New South Wales
- Australia's first British settlement was governed by Captain Arthur Phillip, however, in 1809 after years of chaos, a new governor was sent from Britain in an
attempt to reform the settlement
- Major-General Lachlan Macquarie employed a designer to map a street layout for Sydney, and commissioned the construction of roads, churches and public buildings
- Much of his legacy is still apparent today
- The discovery of gold in 1851 saw a huge influx of settlers arrive in New South Wales, necessitating a change in land boundaries occurred
- Large areas were separated into what are now Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland
- The movement toward a federation between the Australiancolonies began in the late 19th century
- Rivalry between New South Wales and Victoria intensified as the two colonies moved in different directions
- Victoria absorbed the labor force from the gold fields, becoming a stronghold for protectionism, liberalism and radicalism, while New South Wales
remained more conservative and expanded as a trading and exporting colony
- The government of the state grew increasingly stable throughout the late 19th century, when the last of the British troops left New South Wales in 1870,
law and order was maintained thereafter by the police
- In 1929, the Great Depression ushered in a period of mass unemployment as the collapse of the economy brought devastation to both city workers and farmers
- The Labor Party came into office in 1941 under the leadership of William McKell
- World War II brought a growth in industrial development, helping eliminate unemployment while meeting the needs of the new war economy
- Shipbuilding and steel industries have largely disappeared, and in their places information technology, education, financial services and the arts have emerged
- After a long period of planning and construction, the Sydney Opera House officially opened in 1973, becoming not only a symbol of the city but also of the
entire nation of Australia
- As time goes on, most commentators predict that Sydney and other coastal areas of New South Wales will continue to grow, however, the rest of New South Wales is
expected to decline as traditional industries disappear Capital Sydney (4,336,374 population) (2014) Population 7,439,200 (2012) Density 9.12/km2 (23.6 /sq mi) Currency Australian Dollar (conversion rates) New South Wales GSP (gross state product) per capita A$57,828 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong, Maitland Name In his journey to survey the unmapped eastern coast of Dutch-named New Holland (now Australia), founder James Cook named the land "New South Wales"
as an attempt to satisfy Admiralty Orders
Fairlight Beach, the Sidney beach
Victoria
- Although it is geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is packed with an array of diverse areas and attractions, most of which are
merely a day trip from its largest city of Melbourne
- From the pristine beaches along its coast to the lakes, mountains, and forests of its interior, this small state offers a unique and varied landscape
- Victoria is home to some of the most prestigious events in Australia, including the Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open Tennis Championship,
Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne International Arts Festival, and a number of food and wine events
- Victoria was initially lumped into the colony of New South Wales (which included present-day Queensland)
- its first settlement was stationed at Sullivan Bay
- throughout the 19th century, British settlements popped up along the coast, forcing the Aboriginal tribes from their native lands which began to cause conflicts
- Victorian Aboriginal tribes continued to largely be ousted from the territory, and although protectors were appointed by the British Colonial Office, their
numbers drastically decreased
- In 1840 the first petition for the separation of Victoria from New South Wales was drafted
- It was (finally) appointed a self-governing state in 1856
- This era of prosperity ushered in a period of construction to accommodate the new growth, and in a period of six years, Victoria's wealth quadrupled
- Unfortunately, as is the case with many overnight successes, this boom didn't last long, and public confidence began to quickly dwindle prompting a widespread
depression by 1893
- Despite the depression, Melbourne remained the financialcenter of Australia
- Between 1901 and 1927 it served as the capital of the country while Canberra was under construction
- To this day, the economy of the state is based largely on financial and property sectors
- Culturally, Victoria is described as the "sporting capital of Australia"
- The Melbourne Cricket Ground is the largest stadium in Australia, hosting the Australian Football League (AFL)
- The stadium was the site of the 1956 Summer Olympics and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
- The city of Melbourne is also well known for its style and elegance, boasting some of Australia's best shopping, fine dining and the arts Capital Melbourne (4,170,000 population) (2012) Population 5,768,600 (2014) Density 24.51/km2 (63.5 /sq mi) Victoria GSP (gross state product) per capita A$54,774 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo Name Named for Queen Victoria
The Twelve Apostles, a series of limestone stacks off the Australian coast of Port Campbell National Park
Tasmania
- Tasmania is located 150 miles (240 km) to the south of Australia, within the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and offers captivating scenery, and world-class food
and wine
- Early settlers to the island consisted primarily of convicts and their military guards, assigned with developing agriculture and other industries
- The Aborigines were resistent to the invasion of the new settlers
- Conflicts arose, becoming so strong that European troops were deployed to drive the Aborigines to nearby islands
- Tasmania suffered economic instability in its early years, as did many new colonies, remaining however, mainly prosperous, with steady growth
- In 1901, Tasmania and five other Australian colonies, formed the Commonwealth of Australia, and was granted legislative power
- The capital city of Hobart is a busy seaport, noted for being the home port of Antarctic activities for both Australia and France, and serves as a hub for
cruise ships during the summer months
- Outside the city, vineyards dot the countryside and in the past 15 to 20 years, Hobart's wine industry has seen great success Capital Hobart (211,656 population) (2012) Population 523,400 (2014) Density 7.24/km2 (18.8 /sq mi) Currency Australian Dollar (conversion rates) Tasmania GSP (gross state product) per capita: A$44,011 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Somerset, Blackmans Bay Name Named for Dutch explorer Abel Tasman
Mt. Field National Park waterfalls
Australian Capital Territory
- the Australian Capital Territory, enclaved within New South Wales, was created in 1901 as the site for Canberra, the capital city of Australia
- European exploration and settlement of the area began in the 19th century, which was widely used for sheep and cattle grazing
- This region was selected in 1908 as the future site Canberra
- By 1927 the Parliament of Australia had taken up residence
- However, the Australian Capital Territory wasn't official until 1938
- Following World War II, Prime Minister Robert Menzies scrutinized the state of Canberra as an embarrassment to the country, and set out to advocate its
development by hiring American architect, Walter Burley Griffin
- Canberra's centerpiece, Lake Burley Griffin, was constructed and completed in 1964
- The Parliamentary Triangle was subsequently built, with sculptures and monuments erected along the lakefront
- Despite its small size, the Capital Territory has an extensive amount of attractions that range from stylish restaurants, bars and storefronts, to the great
outdoors brimming with cycle paths and walking trails
- Additionally, for the nature enthusiast, every spring the Floriade takes place from September to mid-October
- This world-class floral exhibition displays more than a million blooms, hosts workshops, features musical entertainment and the breathtaking Floriade NightFest
- As a whole, the Australian Capital Territory is a great place for both families along with those who enjoy nightlife Capital Canberra (382,900 population) (2014) Population 373,100 (2012) Density 160/km2 (414.4 /sq mi) Currency Australian Dollar (conversion rates) Capital Territory GSP (gross state product) per capita: A$72,411 (2011-2012) Largest Cities (by population) Canberra
Canberra, the Australia capital
New Zealand
Capital City Wellington (pop. 210,400) Other Cities Auckland (1.6 million), Christchurch (385,000), Hamilton (170,000), Dunedin (132,000) Government Parliamentary democracy Constitution New Zealand has no single constitutional document Independence Declared a dominion in 1907 Chief of State Queen Elizabeth II Dependent areas Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Geography Location Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Area 270,467 km² (104,427 sq. mi.) Terrain varied, from snow-capped mountains and volcanoes to large coastal plains Climate with sharp regional contrasts from temperate to subtropical People Nationality Noun--New Zealander(s). Adjective--New Zealand Population 5.1 million (beginning 2021) GNI per capita PPP $ 42,862 (per year; in 2020) Ethnic groups European 75%, Maori 15%, other Polynesian 6.5% Religions Christian Languages English, Maori Literacy 99% Natural resources Natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Agriculture products Wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables, wool, beef, lamb and mutton, dairy products, fish Industries Food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Tekapo lake
Cook Islands
- Cook Islands, self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific Ocean
- Its 15 small atolls and islands have a total land area comparable to that of a medium-sized city, but they are spread over about 770,000 square miles
(2,000,000 square km) of sea—an area nearly as large as Greenland
- Niue, the westernmost of the islands, is an administratively separate state
- The administrative seat is Avarua, on the island of Rarotonga
- Area (land only) 91.4 square miles (236.7 square km)
- Population (2011) 14,974
Rarotonga, the most popoulous of the Cook Islands
Republic of Fiji
Capital City Suva on the island of Viti Levu (pop. 167,000)Fiji
Government Parliamentary Democracy Independence (from U.K.) 10 October 1970 Constitution July 1997 (suspended May 2000, reaffirmed March 2001) Geography Location Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean Area 18,333 km² Terrain Mostly mountains of volcanic origin or varied, dense tropical forest Climate Tropical maritime; only slight seasonal temperature variation People Nationality Noun--Fiji Islander;adjective--Fiji Population 870,000 (in 2015) GNI per capita PPP $ 6 282 (year) Ethnic groups Indigenous Fijian 54%, Indo-Fijian 40% Religion Christian 52% (Methodist and Roman Catholic), Hindu 33%, Muslim 7% Languages English (official), Fijian, Hindi Literacy 93% Natural resources timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Agriculture products sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish Industries tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries
Suva, open market
Guam
Capital City Hagåtña (formerly Agana) Other Cities Agat, Merizo, Yigo Government Organized, unincorporated territory of the US Geography Location Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and north of Papua New Guinea Area 549 km² (212 square miles) Terrain volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs, low hills in center, mountains in south Climate Tropical marine; warm and humid with little seasonal temperature variation, dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December People Nationality Guamanian(s) Population 162,800 (in 2016) Ethnic Groups Chamorro 37%, Filipino 26%, white 10%, Asian and other 27% Religions Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% Languages English, Chamorro, Japanese Literacy 99% Natural resources Fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism Agriculture products Fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef Industries US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Bird' s eye view of Hagåtña
Hawaii
About
- it is an island group located in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States
- in 1959 they became the 50th and last state in the country in chronological order Area: - the Aloha State (its official nickname) consists of hundreds of islands spread over a distance of more than 2,400 km
- the total area of the islands is 28,313 km²
- on the map above, you see the eight largest islands, the "main islands" located at the southeastern end of the archipelago
- in order from the northwest to southeast, they are Niihau (Ni'ihau, The Forbidden Isle), Kauai (Kaua'i, The Garden Isle), Oahu (O'ahu, The Gathering Place),
Molokai (Moloka'i, The Friendly Isle), Lanai (Lānaʻi, The Pineapple Isle), Kahoolawe (Kaho'olawe, The Target Isle), Maui (The Valley Isle), and Hawaii (Hawai'i, The Big Island) Population: 1.41 million people (in 2019).
- the capital, principal port, and largest city is Honolulu (360,000)
- Hawaii's largest urban area is the Island of Oahu, the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands is home to about two-thirds of Hawaii's entire population
- official languages are English and Hawaiian Ethnic groups: Asian 37.6%, Caucasian 21.8%, Hispanic or Latino 10.7%, Native Hawaiian 10.2%, African American 2.2%, and Native American 0.4% Main Geographical Features of Hawaii
- the geographical features of Hawaii are just stunning
- the islands rise from the floor of the abyssal Northeast Pacific Basin that has an average depth of 5,000 m
- the Hawaiian Islands are the exposed peaks of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain. The massive submarine mountain range was formed by volcanic activity over several hotspots
in the earth's mantle and extends for about 6,200 km (3,900 mi) from the Aleutian Trench in the far northwest Pacific to the island of Hawaii Highest point
- Hawaii's tallest mountain is Mauna Kea, a sleeping volcano that rises 4,205 m (13,796 ft) from sea level
- but measured from its base on the ocean floor to its peak, its height is 10,203 m (33,476 ft)
- nmaking it the highest mountain on Earth World Heritage Sites
- the Hawaii' s Volcanoes National Parkofficial website is an American National Park's featuring two main attractions,
two active superlative volcanoes on the island of Hawaii, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa
- Mauna Loa is the world's largest shield volcano, and Kīlauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes
- the site serves as an excellent example of island-building through volcanic processes
- Volcanic eruptions have created a constantly changing landscape, and the lava flows reveal extraordinary geological formations
- rare birds and endemic species can be found there, as well as forests of giant ferns Hawaiian Archipelago Papahānaumokuākea
- the Marine National Monument is one of the world's largest protected areas with a length of over some 1930 km.
- the archipelago has deep cosmological and traditional significance for living Native Hawaiian culture
- it is considered as an embodiment of the Hawaiian concept of kinship between man and nature
Coastal landscape in Honolulu
Republic of Kiribati
Capital City (South) Tarawa (in Gilbertese and English: Teinainano Urban Council or abr. TUC) capital and main island of the Gilbert Group (pop. 30 000) Government: Republic - parliamentary democracy Self rule granted by UK - 1971 Independence 12 July 1979 (from United Kingdom) Constitution 12 July 1979 US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati Geography Location Oceania, Central Pacific Ocean Area 726 km² (280 sq. mi.) in 32 atolls and one island Terrain Archipelagos of low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Climate Maritime equatorial to tropical, dry season from May through October, rainy season from November through April People Nationality Nounand adjective--I-Kiribati (for both singular and plural) Population 100,000 (2012; UN estimate) Ethnic groups Micronesian 98%, some Polynesian Religion Roman Catholic 53%, Kiribati Protestant 39% Languages english (official), Gilbertese/I-Kiribati (de facto) Natural resources phosphate (commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979) Agriculture - products copra, taro, pandanus, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish Currency Australian Dollar (AUD)
The island of the first New Year and the fight against the rising of the sea
Republic of Northern Mariana Islands
Capital Saipan (on the island Saipan) Government: Commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locally elected governor Chief of state The incumbent U.S. President Geography Location Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea along the Mariana Trench, north of Papua New Guinea and east of
the Philippines Area 477 km² (184 sq. mi.) Terrain The northern islands are of volcanic origin, active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan, the southern islands are lacustrine limestone fringed by
coral reefs Climate Tropical marine, dry season from December to June, rainy season from July to October People Population 54,000 (2010 census) Ethnic Groups Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians Religions Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Languages Chamorro, Carolinian, English
- note: 86% of the population speaks a language other than English at home Literacy 97% Natural resources aarable land, fish Agriculture products coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle Industries tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts
Aerial view of Bird Island, Saipan
Republic of Marshall Islands
Capital Majuro (pop. 25 000) Other Cities Ebeye (12 000), Jaluit (1 700) Government Parliamentary democracy in free association with the USA Independence 21 October 1986 from the U.S.-administered UN trusteeship Constitution 1 May 1979 Geography Location Oceania, island chains of 29 low-lying coral atolls and 5 individual islands in the Western North Pacific Ocean Area 181 km² (about 70 sq. mi.) of land area scattered over 750 000 sq. mi. of the Western Pacific Terrain 29 low-lying coral atolls and five single islands Climate Tropical with a wet season from May to November People Nationality Marshallese Population 54,000 (2010) Ethnic Groups 90% Marshallese, 10% estimated U.S., Filipino, Chinese, New Zealander Religions Christian, mostly Protestant Languages Two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; English (official) Literacy 95% Natural resources coconut products, marine products, phosphate deposits, deep seabed minerals Agriculture products Coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens Industries copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from seashells, wood, and pearls
Majuro island
Federated States of Micronesia
Capital City Palikir Other Cities Kolonia, Weno, Colonia, Lelu Government: Constitutional confederation in free association with the USA Independence 3 November 1986 (from U.S.-administered UN trusteeship) 10 May 1979 Geography Location Oceania, group of 607 island in the North Pacific Ocean north of Papua New Guinea Area 702 km² (271 sq. mi.) four major island groups (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, and Kosrae) Terrain varies from mountainous islands to low-lying coral atolls Climate Tropical People Nationality Micronesian Population 102,000 (2015 census) Ethnic groups Nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Religion Roman Catholic 53%, Protestant 42.4%, Others 4.6% Languages English, and nine ethnic languages Literacy 92,4% Natural resources forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate Agriculture products black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish Industries tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Pohnpei island
Republic of Nauru
Capital City no official capital, Government offices are in Yaren District Government: Republic Independence 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, New Zealand-, and United Kingdom-administered UN trusteeship) Geography Location Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Area 21 sq km, (8 sq miles) Terrain Raised coral reef with sandy beaches rises to a fertile but narrow ring around a phosphate plateau in the center Climate Tropical, rainy season (November to February) People Nationality Nauruan (s) Population 7 500 Nauruans, 2 500 foreign workers Ethnic groups Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Religions Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Languages Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English Literacy 97% Natural resources phosphates (reserves are now depleted), fish Agriculture products coconuts Currency Australian Dollar (AUD)
Nauru, the smallest republic in the world
Niue
- Niue, internally self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand
- It is the westernmost of the Cook Islands but is administratively separate from them
- Niue lies some 1,340 miles (2,160 km) northeast of Auckland, New Zealand, and 240 miles (385 km) east of the Vavaʿu Group of Tonga, in the southwestern
Pacific Ocean
- Niue is sometimes called “the Rock of Polynesia,” or simply “the Rock”
- The capital and largest settlement is Alofi
- Area 100 square miles (260 square km)
- Pop. (2011) 1,613
Alofi, tourist port
New Caledonia
Capital City Nouméa Government Overseas territory of France since 1956 Geography Location Oceania, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Area 18,575 km² (7,171 sq. mi.) Terrain coastal plains with interior mountains Climate Moderate, tropical oceanic, hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds People Nationality New Caledonian(s) Population 256,000 (2012 estimate) Ethnic Groups Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3% Religions Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% Languages French (official), more than 30 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Literacy 91% Natural resources nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Agriculture - products vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products
Nouméa, tourist port
Republic of Palau
Capital City Ngerulmud, Melekeok (on the island of Babeldaob) Koror, the former capital until 6 October 2006 Government: Constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
- Internally self-governed since 1981 until independence (from U.S.-administered UN trusteeship) on 1 October 1994 Constitution 1 January 1981 Geography Location Oceania, group of islands in the Western Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Area 459 km² (177 sq. mi.) in eight main islands plus more than 250 islets Terrain A mountainous volcanic main island and smaller, reef-rimmed coral islands Climate Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November People Nationality Noun and adjective--Palauan Population 20,000 (2010) Ethnic groups Palauans are Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian elements Religion Roman Catholic, Protestant, Modekngei (an indigenous Palauan religion) Languages English (official in all 16 states), Palauan Literacy 92% Natural resources forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Agriculture products coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes Industries tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Palau, the Pacific island loved by divers
Papua and New Guinea
Capital City Port Moresby (pop. 350 000) Other Cities Lae (78 000), Mt. Hagen (28 000) Government: Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy Independence 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship) Constitution September 16, 1975 Geography Location Oceania, Group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Area 462,840 km² (178,703 sq. mi.) Terrain Mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
- The majority of the people live in fertile highlands valleys that were unknown to the outside world until the 1930s, but that supported agriculture
some 10,000 years ago, possibly before agriculture was developed elsewhere Highest point Mount Wilhelm 4 509 m Climate Tropical. NW monsoon, Dec-Mar. SE monsoon, May-Oct. People Nationality Papua New Guinean(s) Population 7,2 million (2012) Ethnic Groups Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Religions Christians 66%, indigenous beliefs 34% Languages Three official: English, Tok Pisin, and Motu. There are approximately 860 other languages Literacy - total population 55-60% Natural resources gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries Agriculture products coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork Industries copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production,
petroleum refining; construction, tourism
Port Moresby, the capital city
Pitcairn Islands
Capital City Adamstown Government Overseas territory of the UK Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II Constitution 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Geography Location Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of French Polynesia Area total 47 sq. km. Terrain Rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Climate Tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; dry season (May to October), rainy season (November to March) People Nationality Noun and adjective--Pitcairn Islander(s) Population: 46 (July 2004 est.) Ethnic Groups Descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions Religions Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Languages English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Natural resources miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish, honey Currency New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Pitcairn, the island of mutineers on the Bounty
French Polynesia
Capital City Papeete on the island of Tahiti, Society Islands Government parliamentary democratic dependency, overseas territory of France since 1946, it became a French overseas collectivity in 2003 Chief of state President of France Geography Location Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, south of Hawaii and east of Australia Area 4,167 km² (118 islands and atolls) Terrain Volcanic rugged high islands and low islands with coral reefs Climate Tropical; dry season (May to October), rainy season (November to April) People Nationality French Polynesian(s) Population 270,000 (2014) Ethnic groups Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Languages Tahitian and French (official) Literacy 98% Natural resources timber, fish, cobalt, pearls, hydropower Agriculture products coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee Industries tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Moorea and Bora Bora, Society Islands
Solomon Islands
Capital City Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal Government Parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir John LAPLI (since NA 1999) Constitution May 1978 Independence 7 July 1978 (from the United Kingdom) Geography Location Oceania; group of South Pacfic islands east of Papua New Guinea Area Land -- 29,000 km² (11,200 sq. mi.). Archipelago--725,197 sq. km. (280,000 sq. mi.) Terrain rugged mountains, volcanoes, rainforests, some low coral atolls Climate Tropical with average daytime temperatures around 27 degrees and high humidity, monsoonal wet season occurring between November and March People Nationality Solomon Islander(s) Population 642 000 (2015) GNI per capita PPP $ 1 922 (year) Ethnic groups predominantly Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5% Religions Christian 95%--more than one-third Anglican, indigenous beliefs 4% Languages English (official, but spoken by only 1%-2%); Melanesian pidgin is lingua franca spoken in much of the islands; 87 indigenous languages Literacy 64% Natural resources fish, forests, palm products (oil and kernels) as well as cocoa, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Honiara port
Samoa
Capital City Apia on the island of Upolu (pop. 34 000) Government Mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy under native chief Independence (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship): January 1, 1962 Constitution January 1, 1962 Geography Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Area about 2,900 km², two main islands plus seven smaller ones Terrain Volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior with narrow coastal plain Climate Tropical; dry season (May to October), rainy season (November to April) People Nationality Noun and adjective--Samoan(s) Population 193,000 (2015) Ethnic Groups Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4% Religions Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society) Languages Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English. Literacy: 99.7% Natural resources coconut products, timber, fish, taro, hydropower
Samoa, a treasure in the Pacific Ocean
American Samoa
Capital City Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila Government The unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; is administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, a unit of the US Department of the
Interior Chief of state President of the United States Independence none Geography Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Area 199 km² (115 sq. mi.; includes Rose Island and Swains Island) Climate Tropical; dry season (May to October), rainy season (November to April) People Nationality American Samoan(s) Population 57,000 (2021) Ethnic Groups Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5% Religions Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant, and other 30% Languages Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English Literacy 97% Natural resources pumice (very light, porous volcanic rock) Agriculture products bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas, dairy products, livestock, and fish
Pago Pago port
Tokelau
- Tokelau, also called (1916–46) Union Group or (1946–76) Tokelau Islands, island territory of New Zealand, consisting of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean
- Tokelau lies about 300 miles (480 km) north of Samoa and 2,400 miles (3,900 km) southwest of Hawaii
- Tokelau does not have a central capital; each atoll has its own administrative centre People
- The people are overwhelmingly Polynesian and are culturally and linguistically linked to Samoa
- There are also small numbers of Samoans, Tuvaluans, and people of mixed ethnicity
- Tokelauan, a Polynesian language, is the official language, but English is widely used
- Almost all of the people are Christian, with about seven-tenths Congregational and three-tenths Roman Catholic
- Population density is greatest on Atafu
- The population has been declining because of emigration to New Zealand and Samoa Economy
- Tokelau’s economy consists largely of subsistence agriculture and fishing
- Land tenure is based on kinship lines and land reserved for communal use
- Coconuts, grown for copra, are the only cash crop
- Taro, grown in special excavated gardens fertilized with leaf compost, and breadfruit, pawpaws, and bananas are subsistence crops
- Some pigs and chickens are raised. Fishes and crustaceans are caught in the lagoons for local consumption
- In the 1980s New Zealand established a 200-mile (320-km) exclusive economic zone, and a fisheries training program was started by the South Pacific Commission
- Tauanave trees are specially grown on selected islets for canoes, houses, and other domestic needs
- Tokelau’s external trade is mainly with New Zealand
- Food, building materials, and fuels are the main imports; a small amount of copra is exported
- The islands have neither roads nor motor vehicles
- There are no navigable passages into the lagoons and hence no good ports
- Ships must anchor off the reef and use lighters to transport passengers and goods on and off
Tokelau, the wind islands
Tonga Islands
Capital City Nuku'alofa (pop. 25 000) Government Constitutional Monarchy (since 1875) Independence 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) Geography Location Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, south of Samoa Area 747 km² (288 sq mi) Terrain Volcanic islands and low raised coral islands surrounding soaring volcanoes Climate Subtropical, slightly cooler and less humid than most tropical areas. From November to April is cyclone season People Nationality Tongan(s) Population 103,000 (2011 census) Ethnic Groups Polynesian 98%, Europeans Religion Christian Languages Tongan, English Literacy 98.5%
Tonga, aerial view of Nuku' alofa
Tuvalu Islands
Capital Funafuti Government Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy Independence 1 October 1978 (from U.K.) Constitution 1 October 1978 Geography Location Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Area 26 km² Terrain Very low lying and narrow coral atolls Climate Tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March-November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November-March) People Nationality Tuvaluan(s) Population 11,000 (est. 2016) Ethnic groups Polynesians 96%, Micronesians 4% Religion Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%; Seventh-day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'I 1%, other 0.6% Languages Tuvaluan, English. Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) also spoken. Literacy: 55% Natural resources Coconuts; fish Currency Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar
Pacific Ocean and Tuvalu. A relationship of love and hate between climatic risks and unexpected implications.
Republic of Vanuatu
Capital City Port Vila (on the island of Efate; pop. 30 000) Other Cities Luganville (on the island of Espiritu Santo, also known as Santo) Government Parliamentary democracy Independence 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) Constitution 30 July 1980 Geography Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and west of Fiji Area 14,760 km² (5,697 sq miles) Terrain Mostly mountains of volcanic origin, narrow coastal plains Climate Maritime tropical; moderate rainfall from November to April People Nationality Noun and adjective: ni-Vanuatu Population 278,000 (2015, National Statistics) Ethnic groups 94% ni-Vanuatu; 4% European; 2% other Pacific Islanders, Asian Religion Predominantly Christian Languages 3 official languages: English, French and Bislama (pidgin English), plus over 120 distinct languages Literacy 53% Natural resources manganese, hardwood forests, fish Agriculture products copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef
Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu
Wallis and Futuna Islands
- Wallis and Futuna, in full Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, French Territoire des Îles Wallis et Futuna, self-governing overseas collectivity of
France
- consisting of two island groups in the west-central Pacific Ocean
- the collectivity is geographically part of western Polynesia
- it includes the Wallis Islands (Uvea and surrounding islets) and the Horne Islands (Futuna and Alofi)
- the capital is Matâ’utu, on Uvea
Mata Utu, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption