Where is Oceania on the world map. Oceania Geography: Characteristics of the region, Climate, Animals, Plants, Population and Countries Large Islands Oceania on the map

Oceania is a part of the world, which is a separate geopolitical region, which consists of a variety of islands and atolls located in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

Geographical position

Oceania islands are between moderate latitudes of the southern hemisphere and subtropical latitudes of the northern hemisphere. Often in the geography of Oceania is considered with Australia.

There is even a geographical name - Australia and Oceania. The total area of \u200b\u200bOceania is 1.24 million km. 2. The population is 10.6 million.

Oceania is divided into three geographic regions - Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. Oceania is washed by numerous seas - coral, Solomonovo, Novogvinoy, Tasmanovo Sea, the seas of Coro and Fiji, which belong to the pool of the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Arafura Sea (Indian Ocean).

Climate Oceania

In most part of Oceania, a tropical climate prevails. For most islands of Oceania, abundant precipitation is characteristic. On the islands that are located closer to the tropical belt, the average annual temperature is 23 ° C, on the islands in the area of \u200b\u200bthe equator - 27 ° C.

The climate of Oceania also affects such flows like La Ninia and El Niño. Most Oceania islands are subject to negative impact of active volcanoes, tsunamis and typhoons.

For this region, a sharp change of weather conditions is characterized - droughts are replaced by heavy rains.

Oceania population

The majority of the population of Oceania islands are represented by indigenous people, which include Micronesians, Polynesians, Papuans. Polynesians are mixed racial types - they look at the features of the Europeanoids and the Mongoloids.

The largest peoples of Polynesians are Hawaiians, Maori, Tongganza, Taitian. Each nationality has its own language, which is represented by almost the absence of consonant sounds.

Race type of Melanesian - Australia. Language fragility of the Mellanesian tribes is very large - frequent phenomenon is that residents of neighboring villages cannot understand each other. Papuars inhabit some regions of Indonesia and New Guinea.

All Papua Russian languages \u200b\u200bare very similar to each other. They are based on English, so often, even residents of remote regions own English perfectly.

Economy

The absolute majority of states of Oceania has a very weak economy. The reasons for this are such factors as the remnantness of the islands from developed superpowers, the limited natural resources, a shortage of personnel.

Many countries are in full economic dependence on Australia and the United States. The basis of the economy is standing agriculture. Among the most common crops, coconut palms, breadwinning, bananas can be distinguished. Some states possess the fishing fleet.

Geographical position of Oceania, countries and dependent areas of Oceania

Geology and Climate Oceania, Soil and Hydrology Oceania, Economics and Culture of Oceania, Melanesia, Micronesia, New Zealand and Polynesia

Section 1. Main characteristics of Oceania.

Section 2. Oceania Physico-Geographical Countries.

Oceania - this is part of the world; Geographic, often the geopolitical region of the world, consisting mainly of hundreds of small islands and atolls in the central and western parts of the Pacific.

The main characteristics of Oceania

Oceania is the world's largest cluster of the islands located in the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and moderate southern hemispheres. When the all sushi is divided into part of the light of oceania, it is usually combined with Australia into a single part of the Light Australia and Oceania, although sometimes it is released into an independent part of the light.

Oceania is a large number of islands (about ten thousand), located in the center and the south - the West of the Pacific Ocean. Oceania is located between the Malay Archipelago and Australia. It is divided into Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, sometimes allocate new Zealand. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe islands is about 1.25 million square kilometers. These islands are populated about 18 million people.

Oceania's basis is New Zealand (South and North Islands), and New Guinea. These islands make up the 4 / 5/5th of the entire territory. Islands Western Micronesia and Melanesia is a large mountain range rising from the bottom of the ocean, the tops are above the water. These islands of crater of underwater volcanoes: Samoa, Cook, Easter, Hawaiian, Marquis.

In Hawaii: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, if you count with the bottom of the ocean reach nine thousand meters. But mostly Micronesia and Polynesia of the island of animal origin (atoll) coral. They rose from underwater crater volcanoes.

Oceania is a kind of natural miracle, every island is your world, with your charms. Flora is very diverse. Some of the islands have vegetation of all climatic zones. Characteristic Wood Oceania is a palm tree coconut. Her wood goes to construction, ropes fly from the palm fibers. Coconut oil is on the preparation of soap, margarine.

The total area of \u200b\u200bthe islands is 1.26 million km² (together with Australia 8.52 million km²), the population is about 10.7 million people. (together with Australia 32.6 million people). Geographically, Oceania is divided into Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia; Sometimes a new Zealand is distinguished.

In the Pacific Ocean, in its central and western parts is the largest cluster of the islands on the globe, with a total area of \u200b\u200babout 1.26 million km2, most of which are grouped into archipelagoes. All islands are combined under the name Oceania. Oceania's development occurred in conditions of long-term isolation from the mainland sushi, which determines the deep peculiarity of its landscapes. It manifests itself both in geological structure and relief and in high endemism and povelties of the species composition of flora, fauna, especially at the most remote eastern islands. These reasons provide the basis for the allocation of oceania into a special part of the light with the domination of oceanic landscapes that have no analogues on the mainland. The geological structure of Oceania islands is in direct connection with the structure of the Pacific DNA. Almost all islands of coral or volcanic origin. In the central part of Oceania (in Polynesia and Eastern Micronesia), they are vertices of underwater volcanoes, crowning underwater ridges, erected by powerful Izdnesses of basalt lava at the end of the neogene and in the Quaternary period along the lines of faults of the ancient oceanic platform of the Pacific Ocean. The formation of coral islands occurred in a quarterly period due to ecstatic fluctuations in the level of the Pacific Ocean and the defaults of the sections of its bottom. The islands focused on the western outskirts of Oceania lie in the zones of geosynclinal structures framing the central platform, and are (according to V. V. Belousov) vertices of the grand submarine ridge-advanced geosynclinal areas. With the external (oceanic) side, these islands are framed by deep-sea depressions, extremely distinct in the terrain of the bottom of the ocean due to extremely slow motion and precipitation processes. Slabs in the peripheral Pacific geosyncline were actively manifested in the Mesozoic and Alpine cycles, but they were not over and now, as evidenced by frequent and strong earthquakes and active volcanism on the islands. Islands of West Oceania are the largest and mountainous. Among them, new Zealand and New Guinea are allocated among them, which account for 80% of Sushi Sushi area. The islands are scattered in latitudes from subtropicals in the northern hemisphere to moderate in the southern (lying between 28 ° 25 "s. Sh. And 52 ° 30" Yu. Sh. And 130 ° C. d. And 105 ° 20 "z. D.) But most of them are concentrated in the subequatorial belts, which determines the main features of the temperature and humidification mode. The effect of sushi affects the climate closest to Australia and Southeast Asia islands.

For the rest, small daily and seasonal amplitudes of high temperatures are characterized, constantly high relative air humidity and a large amount of precipitation, due to the exclusive domination of the sea air. The average temperatures of the warmer months (August in the northern hemisphere, February in South) vary from 25 ° C in the north to 16 ° C in the south, the coldest (February and August) from 16 ° C to 5 ° C. Sharp fluctuations in seasonal and daily temperatures are characteristic only for the mountainous islands, on which the high-altitude climatic explanancy appears on New Zealand and the new Guinea, high-altitude climatic belts end with the nival climate. The average annual rainfall norms vary extremely strongly depending on the orography. Wet winds (mainly the Passats of both hemispheres) are freely rush over low small islands, but rising from the highlighted slopes of high mountainous islands, on which abundant orographic rains fall out (in some places up to 9000 mm or more). This creates harsh climatic and landscape contrasts of slopes of various exposure. An evergreen wet forests grow on the onward slopes, a thick network of full-flow rivers develops, erosion and chemical weathelation of rocks are actively flowing, a variece of latice type of soil occurs. Mixed (leaf-old-evergreen) forests, xerophytic parel and peculiar ocean savannas with rigid cereals, pandanus, coarse palm trees predominantly dominate. Low islands, where the cyclonic sediments fall out mainly, covered with ocean savanses, coconut trees and pandanus forests, mangrove thickets (mainly on the coral islands) and even semi-desert vegetation, the exits of dense unlucky basalts are completely bare. The major islands of Oceania were the centers of formation of the flora. At the same time, many species of plants migrated to the islands from Australia, and mainly from the Malay Archipelago and Southeast Asia, as a result of which almost all of the Oceania is included in the Male Floristic Paleotropic Paleotropikov, extremely poor on the species composition and highly endemic. The question of the spread of organisms in Oceania remains unresolved. It is usually believed that migration occurred by temporary sushi bridges. On the other hand, it is impossible to underestimate the role of winds, flows, birds, and, finally, people, even in ancient times who have committed long-term swimming between the archipelagoes. The greatest endemism of the flora possesses New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands allocated to special subsequent. Among the plants of Oceania are a lot of coconut and saga palms for humans, bananas, rubberos, mango, melon and bread trees.

Many tropical cultures of pineapples, bananas, sugar cane, etc. Oceanic expanses are grown on the islands, are of great difficulties for animal resettlement, therefore the composition of the fauna in Oceania is very specific, is characterized by a latter, primarily due to the almost complete absence of mammals. For this reason, most of the Oceania stands out to the Polynesian zoogeographic area. On the islands there are a lot of good flying birds (haircuts, pigeons, etc.) and there are some small animals (mainly bats, dogs and foxes, lizards), as well as insects that were accidentally brought on the trunks of floating trees. The brought animals and birds were great harm to the fauna of Oceania, many of which were taken by empty ecological niches, found a favorable medium for breeding and sometimes aimed was destroyed not only by local animals, but also vegetation cover. Regional landscape differences allow to allocate four physical and geographic countries in Oceania: Melanesia, Micronesia, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Oceania islands are washed by numerous seas of quiet (coral sea, Tasmanovo Sea, Sea Fiji, Sea Coro, Solomono Sea, Novogvinsky Sea, Philippine Sea) and Indian Oceans (Arafur Sea).

From the point of view of oceania geology is not the continent: only Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania have continental origin, formed at the site of the hypothetical mainland Gondwan. In the past, these islands were a single land, however, as a result of raising the level of the world's ocean, a significant part of the surface was under water. The relief of these islands is mountainous and strongly dissected. For example, highest mountains Oceania, including the mountain Jaya (5029 m), are located on New Guinea Island.

Most Oceania islands have volcanic origin: some of them are vertices of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still show high volcanic activity (for example, Hawaiian Islands).

Other islands have coral origins, being atolls that have formed as a result of the formation of coral buildings around the volcanoes immersed under the water (for example, Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). A distinctive feature of such islands are large lagoons, which are surrounded by numerous islands, or a moto, the average height of which does not exceed three meters. In Oceania, there is an atoll with the largest lagoon in the world - Kwajalein in the Archipelago of Marshall Islands. Despite the fact that its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 square meters. Miles), Lagoon Square - 2174 km² (or 839.3 square meters. Miles). The largest atoll of Sushi Square is the Island of Christmas (or Kirithmatima) in the Line Archipelago (or Central Polynesian Sporades) - 322 km². However, among the atolls there is a special type - raised (or elevated) atoll, which is a limestone plateau with a height of up to 50-60 m above the ocean level. This type of lagoon island has no traces of its past existence. Examples of such atolls can serve Nauru, Niue, Banaba.

The relief and the geological structure of the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in the Oceania area has a complex structure. From the Alaska Peninsula (part of North America) to New Zealand there is a large number of kitrooms of the outskirts of the seas, deep-water oceanic chutes (Tonga, Kermadek, Bougainvillean), which form a geosynclinal belt, characterized by active vulcanism, seismicity and contrasting relief.

On most Oceania islands, minerals are missing, only development is underway on the largest of them: nickel (New Caledonia), oil and gas (New Guinea Island, New Zealand), Copper (Bougainville Island in Papua - New Guinea), Gold (New Guinea , Fiji), phosphates (on most of the islands of the field almost or have already been developed, for example, to Nauru, on the Islands of Banaba, Makata). In the past, the many Islands of the region was actively developing guano, laid out the litter of seabirds, which was used as nitrogen and phosphoric fertilizer. On the oceanic day of the exceptional economic zone of a number of countries there are large accumulations of iron-manganese concretions, as well as cobalt, but at the moment there are no development due to economic inappropriateness.

Oceania is located within a few climatic belts: Equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, moderate. In most of the islands, the tropical climate is dominated. The subequatorial climate dominates the islands near Australia and Asia, as well as to the east of 180 meridian in the equator zone, Equatorial - west of 180 meridian, subtropical - to the north and south of the tropics, moderate - most of the southern island in New Zealand.

The climate of Oceania islands is determined mainly by the trade winds, therefore, at most of them, abundant precipitation falls. The average annual precipitation varies from 1500 to 4000 mm, although on some islands (in particular, due to the design features and on the leeward side), the climate may be more arid or more wet. In Oceania, one of the most wet places of the planet is located: on the eastern slope of the Vaileal Mountain on the island of Kauai, up to 11,430 mm of precipitation drops each year (the absolute maximum was reached in 1982: then 16,916 mm fell). Near the tropics, the average temperature is about 23 ° C, at the equator - 27 ° C, with a slight difference between the hottest and most cold months.

On the climate of Oceania islands big influence Also provide such anomalies as the currents of El Niño and La Niña. During El Niño, the interdropic convergence zone moves to the north towards the Equator, with La Nier - south away from the equator. In the latter case, a strong drought is observed on the islands, in the first - strong rains.

Most Oceania islands are subject to the destructive effects of natural cataclysms: volcanic eruptions (Hawaiian Islands, new hebrides), earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, accompanied by typhoins and strong rains, droughts. Many of them lead to essential material and human losses. For example, as a result of Tsunami in Papua - 2,200 people died in July 1999.

On the South Island in New Zealand and on the island of New Guinea high in the mountains there are glaciers, however, due to the global warming process, there is a gradual reduction in their area.

Because of the various climatic conditions of the soil Oceania are very diverse. The soil of the atolls is highly riveted, coral origin, very poor. Usually they are porous, due to which moisture is very poorly delayed, and also contain very few organic and mineral substances with the exception of calcium, sodium and magnesium. Soils of volcanic islands, as a rule, have volcanic origin and are distinguished by high fertility. On large mountainous islands there are red-yellow, mining varnisses, mountain-meadow, yellow-brown soils, yellow-glazes, reds.

Large rivers are only on the South and North Island of New Zealand, as well as on the island of New Guinea, on which the largest oceania rivers, sepik (1126 km) and Flace (1050 km) are located. The largest river of New Zealand - Whicato (425 km). Nutrition rivers predominantly rain, although in New Zealand and on New Guinea, the rivers are also fueled by the waters from the melting glaciers and snow. The river's atolls are not at all due to the high soil porosity. Instead, rainwater, leaking through the soil, forms a lens slightly stray water, to get to which you can, dig a well. On the larger islands (as a rule, volcanic origin) there are small streams of water that flow in the side of the ocean.

The greatest number of lakes, including thermal, is in New Zealand, where there are also geysers. On other islands Oceania, the lake is a great rarity.

Oceania is included in the Paleotropic region of vegetation, while three subdomains are distinguished: Melanesian-Micronesian, Hawaiian and New Zelaland. Among the most widespread rich plants of Oceania, coconut palm trees and breadwinners are distinguished, which play an important role in the life of local residents: the fruits are used in food, wood is a source of heat, construction material, from the oily endosperm of coconut palm nuts produce a copp, which is the basis for exporting countries of this Region. On the islands also grows a large number of epiphytes (ferns, orchids). The greatest number of endemics (both representatives of flora and fauna) are registered in New Zealand and Hawaiian IslandsAt the same time, from the west to the East there is a decrease in the number of species, childbirth and plants.

The animal world of Oceania refers to the Polynesian faunistic area with the subsection of the Hawaiian Islands. The Fauna of New Zealand stands out to an independent area, New Guinea - to the Papuaski subland of the Australian region. New Zealand and New Guinea are distinguished by the greatest variety. On the small islands of Oceania, first of all, the atolls, mammals almost do not meet: only a small rat is inhabited for many of them. But the local ornithofaun is very rich. On most atolls there are bird bazaars, where sea birds nest. From representatives of the fauna of New Zealand, birds of Kiwi, who have become the national symbol of the country are the most famous. Other endemics of the country - Kea (lat. Nestor Notabilis, or Nestor), Cocoapo (Lat. Strigops Habroptilus, or Sovic Parrot), Taka (Lat. Notoronis Hochstelteri, or Outless Sultanka). In all Oceania islands, a large number of lizards, snakes and insects live.

In the course of European colonization of the islands on many of them, foreign species of plants and animals were delivered, which had a negative impact on the local flora and fauna.

In the territory of the region there is a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy significant areas. For example, Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati from January 28, 2008 are the world's largest marine reserve (area of \u200b\u200b410,500 km²).

Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians and Papuans are indigenous inhabitants of Oceania.

Polynesians living in Polynesia countries have a mixed racial type: their appearance are viewed by the features of the Europeanoid and mongoloid races, and to a lesser extent - Australoid. The largest peoples of Polynesia are Hawaiians, self-suicide, Taitians, Tongsans, Maori, Markizers, Rapanuitsa and others. Native languages \u200b\u200bbelong to the Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian Languages: Hawaiian, Samanevsky, Taitian, Tongan, Maori, Marquis, Rapanoisky and others. The characteristic features of Polynesian languages \u200b\u200bare a small number of sounds, especially consonant, abundance of vowels.

Micronesians live in the countries of Micronesia. The largest peoples are Carolins, Kiribati, Marshall, Nauru, Chamorro and others. Native languages \u200b\u200bbelong to the Micronesian group of Austronesian Languages: Kiribati, Carolinsky, Kusayan, Marshall, Naurouan and others. Languages \u200b\u200bof Palau and Chamorro refer to West Malaysian-Polynesian, and Yappan forms a separate branch in the composition of the oceanic languages, which also include Micronesian languages.

Melanesians live in Melanesia countries. Race type - Australoid, with a small mongoloid element, close to the Papuas of New Guinea. Melanesians speak Mellanesian languages, but their languages, unlike Micronesian and Polynesian and Polynesian, do not form a separate genetic group, and the language fragility is very large, so people from neighboring villages can not understand each other.

Papuans inhabit the island of New Guinea and some areas of Indonesia. According to anthropological type, they are close to melanesians, but differ from them by language. Not all Papua Russian languages \u200b\u200bare related to each other. The national language of Papuans in Papua - New Guinea is the Creole Tok-Pisin language on an English basis. According to various people of the peoples and languages \u200b\u200bof Papuans, there are from 300 to 800. At the same time, there are difficulties in establishing the difference between a separate language and dialect.

Many ocean languages \u200b\u200bare on the verge of extinction. In everyday life, they are increasingly crowding out English and french.

The position of the indigenous population in the countries of Oceania is different. If, for example, in the Hawaiian Islands, their share is very low, then in New Zealand Maori make up to 15% of the country's population. The share of Polynesians on the Northern Mariana Islands located in Micronesia is about 21.3%. In Papua - New Guinea, the majority of the population make up numerous Papuan peoples, although the share of immigrants from other islands of the region is also high.

In New Zealand and in the Hawaiian Islands, the majority of the population are Europeans, whose share is also high in New Caledonia (34%) and in French Polynesia (12%). On Fiji Islands 38.2% of the population is represented by Indo-Fijians, descendants of Indian contract workers brought to the islands of the British in the XIX century.

Recently, the share of immigrants from Asia (mostly Chinese and Philipins) increases in Oceania countries. For example, on the Northern Mariana Islands, the share of Philipps is 26.2%, and the Chinese are 22.1%.

Oceania's population mainly professes Christianity, adhering to either Protestant or the Catholic branch.

The island of New Guinea and the nearby islands of Melanesia were, presumably populated by immigrants from Southeast Asia, sailing at about 30-50 thousand years ago. About 2-4 thousand years ago, most of Micronesia and Polynesia were settled. The process of colonization ended in about 1200 of our era. By the beginning of the XVI century, the peoples of Oceania were experiencing a period of decomposition of the primitive communal system and the formation of a early grade society. Crafts were actively developed, agriculture, navigation.

In the period from the XVI to the XVIII century, the period of studying Oceania with Europeans, who gradually began to settle the islands. However, the process of European colonization went very slowly, as the region did not cause much interest among the aliens due to the lack of natural wealth, and negatively affected the local population: many diseases were delivered, which were never in Oceania, and this led to epidemics, as a result of which the considerable part of the natives. At the same time, a Christianization of residents who worshiped numerous deities and spirits were worshiped.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the section of Oceania islands between colonial powers, primarily the British Empire, Spain and France (subsequently, the US and the German Empire also joined them). Of particular interest among the Europeans caused the possibility of creating plantations on the islands (coconut palm trees for the production of copper, sugar cane), as well as slave trade (the so-called "hunt for black droinds", which assumed the recruitment of the islanders to work on plantations).

In 1907, New Zealand became a dominion, but formally, she became a completely independent state in 1947. After the First World War, the first political organizations began to be emerged ("May" on Western Samoa, "Fijian Youth" for Fiji), which fought for the independence of the colonies. During World War II, Oceania was one of the theaters of hostilities, where many battles occurred (mainly between Japanese and American troops).

After the war in the region there were some improvements in the economy, but in most colonies, she was one-sided nature (the predominance of plantation economy and the almost complete absence of industry). Since the 1960s, the process of decolonization began: in 1962, independence received Western Samoa, in 1963 - Western Irian, in 1968 - Nauru. Subsequently, most of the colonies became independent.

After obtaining independence in most Oceania countries, serious economic, political and social problems have survived, which they are trying to decide thanks to the help of the world community (including the UN) and through regional cooperation. Despite the process of decolonization in the 20th century, some of the islands of the region still remain in one way or another dependent: New Caledonia, French polynesia And Wallis and Futuna from France, Pitcairn Islands from the UK, Cook Islands, Niue, Toklau from New Zealand, a number of islands (all external small islands, except for Navassa Island) from the United States.

Most countries of Oceania have a very weak economy, which is associated with several reasons: the limitness of natural wealth, remoteness from the world market sales markets, a deficit of highly qualified specialists. Many states depend on the financial assistance of other countries.

The basis of the economy of most Oceania countries is agriculture (production of copers and palm oil) and fishing. Among the most important crops, coconut palm trees are distinguished, bananas, breadcrumbs. Possessing huge exclusive economic zones and without having a large fishing fleet, the governments of the Oceania countries issue licenses for the right of fish to the courts of other states (mainly Japan, Taiwan, USA), which significantly replenishes the state budget. The mining industry is most developed in Papua - New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand.

A significant part of the population is occupied in the public sector. Recently, measures are being taken to develop the tourist sector of the economy.

The art of Oceania has developed a distinctive style, which gives the uniqueness of local culture.

IN fine art Polynesians The main place belongs to the wood thread and sculpture. Maori has a high-level thread reached, they decorated the boats, details of the houses, cut out the statues of gods and ancestors, such a statue stands in every village. The main motive of the ornament is a spiral. Stone statues of the MOAI created on the island of Easter and in the Marquis Islands. From the crafts, the most important was the construction of boats, as they allowed to engage in fishing and traveling to long distances (in this regard, the Polynesians developed astronomy). Among the Polynesians, a tattoo was widely widespread. The tap served as a clothing, which was made from the bark of the trees of the Family Family. In Polynesia, the myths, legends, fairy tales, singing and dancing were developed. Writing was probably only on Easter Island (Rongo-Rongo), the folklore was transmitted to other islands.

Micronesians from the art of art are popular singing and dancing. Each tribe has its own myths. In everyday life, the main place was held by the court - boats. There were boats of different types: Dibenil - sailing, Wab - a large junior boat. Megalites meet on the islands. Of particular interest is Nan-Madol, known as "Micronesian Venice". it whole city On the water, in the lagoon on the island of Ponap. On artificial islands built stone structures.

The melanesians of a special heyday reached a wood carving. Unlike Polynesians, Melanesians were not so tied to the sea, they were more like sushi residents. The main musical instrument is a drum, or tames. Papuans are common folklore, songs, dances, myths. Songs and dances are very simple. Singing is called Moon, the melody varies very weakly. Important It has a cult of ancestors and skulls. Papuats manufactures Corvara - images of ancestors. Well developed wood carving.

Physico-geographical countries of Oceania

Regional landscape differences allow to allocate four physico-geographical countries in Oceania: Melanesia, Micronesia, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Melanesia.

Melanesia includes new Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Louizaida, Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Fiji and a number of small islands. The islands of Melonezia lie in the Alpine geosyncline zone and are created by typical processes of non-beam and early quaternary period. Their crystal intrusions and folded sedimentary sediments. In the complex of crystalline rocks there are ore fossils: nickel, gold, iron ores, chromites. Oil pools are confined to sediment suits.

Volcanic activity continues and today. Frequent and strong earthquakes occur.

The relief of the islands is predominantly mountainous. The islands received modern outlines in the quaternary period, previously they were interconnected, with Australia, with the Malay archipelago of land bridges, for which the migration of flora and fauna occurred. In this regard, the vegetable and animal world includes many Austral Malay species.

The mountains rise to 2000 m and above on New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago, which are united under the name of Northern Melanesia. The climate here is constantly hot and very wet, most of the islands cover evergreen wet forests.

The climate of southern melanesia is hot, seasonal-wet, hyiley forests cover only the winding slopes of mountains, savannah appear on dry, leeward slopes.

The largest island of Melanesia and Oceania is a new Guinea with an area of \u200b\u200b829300 km2. This island is fully located in equatorial latitudes. Flora island is rich in species and includes 6872 species of plants, of which 85% endemics. Through the entire island, the middle ridge is stretched, the height of which increases to the west to the peak of Jay (5029 m). In its slopes, a huge amount of moisture, brought by winter southeast trade winds, is condensed, and in the summer - North-West Monson. At high peaks of the mountains, the sediment falls in solid form. The snow line lies at a height of 4420 m. On the tops of the mountains there are small glaciers.

Below the eternal snow and stony stamps, high-fat meadows are spread with rhododendron shrubs, even lower - the belt of mountain guils, which at an altitude of 900 m are replaced by the finish of typical guilt.

In the south of the middle ridge, there is a wide lowland, at the base of which the crystalline foundation lies, blocked by marine and alluvial sediments.

At lowlands, up to 4000-5000 mm of precipitation falls, but its southern regions are very dry. A characteristic type of vegetation is savanna with bunches of rigid cereals and Australian species of trees - banksis, eucalyptus and acacia.

In the floodplains of the Play rivers and digging a lot of reed swamps. In the mouths of rivers and along the lowland shores grow mangrove forests.

New Zealand

New Zealand consists of two large islands - northern and southern - and a number of small. It occupies the most southern position in Oceania. The islands of New Zealand extend from the southwest to the northeast and follow the large line of the fault that continues along the deep-water depression of Kermadek and Tonga.

New Zealand structures began to be formed in the upper Paleozoa. The most important plotting movements took place in the Mesozoic era and in Paleogen, after which the period of tectonic peace and poisonment occurred. In Pliocene, there was a new folding and differential vertical movements, crushing an ancient land and determined the modern outlines of the shores.

The development of the organic world occurred mainly without replenishing from the outside. Flora islands by 74% consists of endemic plants and relatively poor views. There are tree ferns (cyatia, diksonia), coniferous, peaceful, etc. Fauna New Zealand is also characterized by high endemism and deep antiquity. Local mammals are represented by two types of volatile mice and one type of rats. There are non-flying (kiwi, owl parrot) and flying (Nestor's parrot) birds. The only representative of the oldest reptiles (first-person) - Gatter has been preserved.

The nature of the Northern and South Islands is diverse.

South Island (area of \u200b\u200b150 thousand km2) has mountain Relief. Southern Alps stretched along the Western half of the island. Their height reaches 3764 m. They have up to 50 glaciers with a total area of \u200b\u200babout 1000 km2. From the south to the mountains adjoins the plateau of Otago (1200-1800 m). In the southwest of Otago lie large lakes. Along the Western slopes of the Southern Alps there is a narrow coastal lowland, coastal plains of Canterbury are adjacent to the eastern slopes.

Almost the entire South Island lies in a zone of moderately warm, very humid climate. The average winter temperature is 5-7 ° C. Sometimes it falls below 0 ° C. Western winds prevail. In summer, Western circulation is preserved in a weakened form. Temperature 14 ° in the south and 17 ° C in the north. The sediments fall as in winter and in the summer, but the maximum falls on the summer. On lowlands, the annual precipitation amount is 2500 mm, on the slopes of the mountains - 3500 mm. Oriental slopes are obtained only 700 mm per year.

Rivers are full-flowered with uniform drain and snow, glacial and rain nutrition. They are widely spilled in spring and summer.

The Western slopes of the mountains are covered with thick mixed forests, in which evergreen trees (laurel and coniferous) penetrate the south. Above 600 m and up to 1000 m lies the belt of evergreen beech forests. Above it is the belt of low-spirited tight shrubs and mountain meadows. Oriental slopes are covered with thickets of evergreen shrubs and beech forests.

North Island (area of \u200b\u200b115 thousand km2) is separated from the South Graben of the Cook Strait. The relief is dominated by the average plateau, lowlands are widely developed at the edges. Ridge Ruakhin is stretched along the east coast. The central part of the island occupies a volcanic plateau, over which volcanic cones rise. Among them are acting: Rupeju is the highest in New Zealand, Tarara. There are many lakes on the plateau, often thermal. The biggest one is lake Taupo.

The climate of the North Island is subtropical, moderately warm, with very wet winter. Summer precipitation falls less. Vegetation is represented by mixed subtropical forests, more rich in the species composition than on the southern island. Evergreen shrubs are dominated on the lava plateau, forests appear only on the weathered lavs.

Micronesia

The micronesia includes about 1,500 islands: Cadzan Archipelago, Mariana, Caroline, Marshall, Gilbert and Islands Nauru. All islands are small; The largest of them GUAM has an area of \u200b\u200b583 km2.

Western archipelagoes are located in the belt of geosynclinal structures of the Pacific Ocean and are vertices of volcanoes. Relief islands mountainous (height from 400 to 1000 m). Islands of Eastern Micronesia Coral. They rarely rise over water by more than 1.5 - 2.5 m. Many of them have the form of typical atolls.

Islands lie in latitudes from Equatorial to subtropical. Climate northern Islands same hot and humid as southern. The greatest amount of precipitation (1500-2000 mm) falls on the eastern slopes of the mountainous islands, visited in relation to the Northeast Passyats. Previously, the slopes were covered with thick wet evergreen tropical forests, but at present these forests are greatly reduced by area. The weathered slopes of the islands occupy cereal savanna. Internal lagows framing mangrove Zaroshi.

Polynesia

Polynesia combines the islands lying in the general east of 180 meridian, between 30 ° C. sh. and 30 ° Sh.: Hawaii, Archipelars of Phoenix and Tokelau, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tubouau, Tahiti, Tuamot, and others. Islands - vertices of basalt volcanoes, mostly decapitated weatherallation and abrasion, blocked by reef limestones. There are coral islands - the Ocean Product, Mad Paren corals and limestone algae.

The name "Polynesia" means a lot of islands, first used by Charles de throw in 1756, and was originally applied to all the islands of the Tych Ocean. Jules Dirm D'Yurville In 1831, in a lecture to the geographical society of Paris, he proposed a restriction on its use, and also introduced the terms of Micronesia and Melanesia. This division into three different Pacific subregions is used today.

Geographically, Polynesia can be described as a triangle with angles in Hawaii, Aoteaore (New Zealand) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Other major island groups located within the Polynesian Triangle - Samoa Islands, Tonga, various island chains that form Cook Islands and French Polynesia. NIUE is a rare secluded island state near the center of Polynesia. The group of the island outside this large triangle includes Tuvalu and French territory of Volyns and Futun. There are also small enclaves of Polynesia inhabitants isolated part in Papua New Guinea, Solomons and Vanuatu. However, mostly, this is an anthropological term applied to one of three oceans (others called micronesia and melanesia), whose population generally belongs to one ethnocultural family as a result of centenary maritime movements.

Polynesia is divided into two excellent cultural groups, Eastern Polynesian and Western Polynesia. The culture of Western Polynesia is due to the large population. It has strong marriage institutions, and well-developed judicial, monetary and trade traditions. It includes groups of Tonga, Niue, Samoa Islands and Polynesian sections beyond the boundaries. Eastern Polynesian cultures are highly adapted to smaller islands and atales, including Cook Islands, Taiti Island, Tuamotus, Marquez, Hawaii and Easter Island. but large islands New Zealand was first populated by the eastern residents of Polynesia, which adapted their culture to the netropic environment. Religion, agriculture, fishing, weather prediction, canoeing (similar to modern catamarans) Construction and navigation were highly developed skills, because the population of the whole island depended on them. Trade was divided into two types: luxury and household items. Many small islands could be transferred a serious hunger if their gardens were poisoned with salt from the hurricane storm wave. In such cases, fishing, the primary source of protein, would not weaken the loss of food energy. Sailors, in particular, were very respected, and each island supported the house of navigation, with the area of \u200b\u200bthe Kanoa Building. Polynesia residents had two categories, villages and towns. The size of the populated island determined whether or not, the village was built. Large volcanic islands usually had villages, divided into many zones, across the island. Food and resources were more abundant and thus, these settlements of the four - five houses (usually with gardens) were established so that there was no imposition between zones. The villages, on the other hand, were based on the coasts of the smaller islands and consisted of thirty or more buildings. Usually these villages have been strengthened with walls and palisades made of stone and forest. However, New Zealand demonstrates the opposite; Large volcanic islands with fortified villages. Due to the relatively large number of competitive sects of Christian missionaries in the islands, many Polynesian groups adopted Christianity. Polynesian languages \u200b\u200bare all members of the family of ocean languages, a subgroup related to Austronesian language family.

The organic world is represented by rhymatized plants and animals not only sushi, but also the sea. On the outer edge of the atoll, seaweed, foraminifera, sponges, sea hedgehog And starfish, crabs and shrimps. Outdoor rabben atoll, on powerful carbonate soils there appears land vegetation: the evergreen xerophytic shrubs, the forests of coconut palms, pandanuses, banana thickets and groves of bread trees.

The largest archipelago of Polynesia - Hawaiian Islands, stretched out at 2500 km. Hawaiian archipelago consists of 24 islands with a total area of \u200b\u200b16700 km2. The largest islands are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Volcanic activity continues only on the island of Hawaii, on other major islands it stopped at the beginning of the Quaternary period.

Most of the islands are stretched in a tropical climate belt, is under the continuous impact of the Northeastern Passops. The amount of precipitation on the winding slopes exceeds 4000 mm, on the leeward - no more than 700 mm per year. Characterized high air temperatures. Northwestern archipelago islands lie in a subtropical belt. They are removed from the cold California flow, so they have higher average seasonal temperatures. Cyclonic precipitation, maximum winter. The number of annual precipitation is about 1000 mm.

Flora Hawaii is high endemic (up to 93% of species) and monotum, so it is allocated to a special Hawaiian subsection of paleotropics. It has viced, ficuses, epiphytic orchids. Palm trees are represented by three species. For mountains, seasonally wet mixed forests are characterized to a height of 700 m), constantly wet evergreen forests (up to 1200 m), tropical mountain gylya (up to 3000 m). Savannes do not rise across the slopes above 300-600 m.

Ornithofauna (67 genera) is very rich in the islands. More than half leads a settling lifestyle and nest on the islands. In addition to birds there are one type of bat, several types of lizards, beetles.

The current state of nature and its protection

Islands landscapes are extremely vulnerable to people's economic activities. Higher harm is inflicted by a random or deliberate drift on the islands of alien organisms - plants or animals.

The state of the natural environment and the irrational use of land, cutting down the valuables of trees, pollution of coastal reservoirs and the direct destruction of the island sushi.

The most raw nature of the biogenic islands. The vulnerability of their vegetation and animal world, as well as a small amount of freshwater and surface sushi, create great difficulties to preserve the natural environment.

In the conditions of rapid population growth, compliance with the necessary sanitary standards on the islands becomes a difficult task, especially since it is not easy to find a suitable place to remove waste and wastewater.

Large devastation causes phosphate mining on some islands. As a result, people are formed by the desert, the restoration of which is almost inaccessible to young states of Oceania.

Hurry harm island, tourists are applied by the nature of the islands - lovers of underwater hunting and gatherers of living souvenirs. Already, many of the states, prohibiting the breakdown of corals, collecting shells, pearl production, as well as hunting birds and animals.

Groups of Islands

The following is the islands and spark groups, or nation or the substantial territories that have a native Polynesian culture. Some of the islands of Polynesian origin - outside the general triangle, which geographically defines the area.

American Samoa Islands (overseas territory of the United States)

Anuta (in Solomon Islands)

Cook Islands (self-governing state in Association with New Zealand)

Easter Island (part of Chile, called Rapa Nui in Rapa Nui)

EMAI (in Vanuatu)

French Polynesia ("Foreign Country", territory of France)

Hawaii (United States State)

Kapingamaranga (in the United States of Micronesia)

Mel (in Vanuatu)

New Zealand (named Aoteaov in Maori is usually associated with Australazia)

NIUE (self-governing state in a free association with New Zealand)

Nigeria (in Papua New Guinea)

Nukuman (in Papua New Guinea)

Nikoro (in the united states of Micronesia)

Ondong Java (in Solomon Islands)

Pilments (in Solomon Islands)

Renhell (in Solomon Islands)

Rotuma (in Fiji)

Samoa Islands (independent nation)

Sicain (in Solomon Islands)

Rustic guys island (politically part of the American Samoa Islands)

Takuuu (in Papua New Guinea)

Ticopia (in Solomon Islands)

Tokelau (overseas dependence of New Zealand)

Tonga (independent nation)

Tuvalu (independent nation)

Volis and Futun (foreign territory of France).

Sources

Wikipedia - Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia

oceaniasport.info - Oceania

stranymira.com - Countries

polynesia.ru - Polynesia.

The total area of \u200b\u200bits 1.3 million km2. Moreover, 90% of the territory occupy two islands - new (829 thousand km) and (269 thousand km2).

The Europeans of Oceania became known in the XVI century, since the first round-the-world travel F.. The special chapter in the history of its discovery and research is the campaigns of Russian navigators. Only in the XIX century there were more than 40 Russian expeditions, which gathered valuable scientific information. A great contribution to the study of Oceania introduced N.N. , which described the life and life of peoples inhabiting the islands, as well as the islands and coast of the tropical sea. On the contribution of compatriots in the study of Oceania are Russian names on her map. The origin of the islands is different:

The modern political map of Oceania has developed as a result of the stubborn struggle of the colonial powers for the section of the islands and archipelago. Before the early 60s of the 20th century in Oceania was one independent state - created by the colonists from England.

In Oceania's states, the production of coconuts, coffee, spices is important. The promising industry in a number of states is wood harvesting (Solomon Islands, Fiji, Zap. Samoa). In recent years, in Oceania with the help of manufacturing enterprises. They are focused mainly on the domestic market.

Oceania is an extremely peculiar region of the world with amazingly beautiful nature, original culture, so its unique starts to be actively used, and it becomes a place of pilgrimage of tourists and holidaymakers (Fiji, Papua - New Guinea).

In terms of the level of socio-economic development, the state of Oceania differ significantly from each other. New Zealand's most developed, the least - Solomon Islands, Tuvalu. Serious brake in the development of countries is the remoteness from economically developed centers World.

Oceania is part of the world; Geographic, often the geopolitical region of the world, consisting mainly of hundreds of small islands and atolls in the central and western parts of the Pacific.

Geographical position

Oceania is the world's largest cluster of the islands located in the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and moderate southern hemispheres. When the all sushi is divided into part of the light of oceania, it is usually combined with Australia into a single part of the Light Australia and Oceania, although sometimes it is released into an independent part of the light.

The total area of \u200b\u200bthe islands is 1.26 million km² (together with Australia 8.52 million km²), the population is about 10.7 million people. (together with Australia 32.6 million people). Geographically, Oceania is divided into Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia; Sometimes a new Zealand is distinguished.

Oceania islands are washed by numerous seas of quiet (coral sea, Tasmanovo Sea, Sea Fiji, Sea Coro, Solomono Sea, Novogvinsky Sea, Philippine Sea) and Indian Oceans (Arafur Sea).

Countries and dependent territories

Name of the region, countries		Population	Population density (people / km²)
Australia
Australia				Canberra	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Ashmore and Cartier (Australia)		uninhabited
Coconut Islands (Australia)				West Island	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Islands of the Coral Sea (Australia)		uninhabited
Norfolk (Australia)				Kingston	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Christmas Island (Australia)				Flying Fish Cove	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Herd Island and McDonald Islands (Australia)		uninhabited
Melanesia.
Vanuatu				Port Vila
Irian Jaya (Indonesia)				Jayapura, Manokvari.
New Caledonia (France)
Papua New Guinea				Por Morsby
Solomon islands					SBD (Solomon Islands Dollar)
Fiji					FJD (Fiji Dollar)
Micronesia
GUAM (USA)					USD (USA Dollar)
Kiribati				South Tarawa	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Marshall Islands					USD (USA Dollar)
Nauru					AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Palau				Melek	USD (USA Dollar)
Northern Mariana Islands (USA)					USD (USA Dollar)
Wake (USA)
Federated States of Micronesia					USD (USA Dollar)
Polynesia
American Samoa (USA)				Pago Pago, Fagat	USD (USA Dollar)
Baker (USA)		uninhabited
Hawaii (USA)				Honolulu	USD (USA Dollar)
Jarvis (USA)		uninhabited
Johnston (USA)
Kingmen (USA)		uninhabited
Kiribati				South Tarawa	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Midway (USA)
Niue (New Zealand)					NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
New Zealand				Wellington	NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Cook Islands (New Zealand)					NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Easter Island (Chile)				Hanga Roa	CLP (Chilean Pesso)
Palmyra (USA)
Pitcairn (United Kingdom)				Adamstall	NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Samoa					WST (Samoan Tala)
Tokelau (New Zealand)					NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Tonga				Nukuulof	Top (Tongan Pa'anga)
Tuvalu				Funafuti	AUD (AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR)
Wallis and Futuna (France)					XPF (French Pacific Frank)
French Polynesia (France)					XPF (French Pacific Frank)
Hauland (USA)		uninhabited

Geology

From the point of view of oceania geology is not the continent: only Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania have continental origin, formed at the site of the hypothetical mainland Gondwan. In the past, these islands were a single land, however, as a result of raising the level of the world's ocean, a significant part of the surface was under water. The relief of these islands is mountainous and strongly dissected. For example, the highest mountains of Oceania, including the Jaya Mountain (5029 m), are located on New Guinea Island.

Most Oceania islands have volcanic origin: some of them are vertices of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still show high volcanic activity (for example, Hawaiian Islands).

Other islands have coral origins, being atolls that have formed as a result of the formation of coral buildings around the volcanoes immersed under the water (for example, Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). A distinctive feature of such islands are large lagoons, which are surrounded by numerous islands, or a moto, the average height of which does not exceed three meters. In Oceania, there is an atoll with the largest lagoon in the world - Kwajalein in the Archipelago of Marshall Islands. Despite the fact that its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 square meters. Miles), Lagoon Square - 2174 km² (or 839.3 square meters. Miles). The largest atoll of Sushi Square is the Island of Christmas (or Kirithmatima) in the Line Archipelago (or Central Polynesian Sporades) - 322 km². However, among the atolls there is a special type - raised (or elevated) atoll, which is a limestone plateau with a height of up to 50-60 m above the ocean level. This type of lagoon island has no traces of its past existence. Examples of such atolls can serve Nauru, Niue, Banaba.

The relief and the geological structure of the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in the Oceania area has a complex structure. From the Alaska Peninsula (part of North America) to New Zealand there is a large number of kitrooms of the outskirts of the seas, deep-water oceanic chutes (Tonga, Kermadek, Bougainvillean), which form a geosynclinal belt, characterized by active vulcanism, seismicity and contrasting relief.

On most Oceania islands, minerals are missing, only development is underway on the largest of them: nickel (New Caledonia), oil and gas (New Guinea Island, New Zealand), Copper (Bougainville Island in Papua - New Guinea), Gold (New Guinea , Fiji), phosphates (on most of the islands of the field almost or have already been developed, for example, to Nauru, on the Islands of Banaba, Makata). In the past, the many Islands of the region was actively developing guano, laid out the litter of seabirds, which was used as nitrogen and phosphoric fertilizer. On the oceanic day of the exceptional economic zone of a number of countries there are large accumulations of iron-manganese concretions, as well as cobalt, but at the moment there are no development due to economic inappropriateness.

Climate Oceania

Oceania is located within a few climatic belts: Equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, moderate. In most of the islands, the tropical climate is dominated. The subequatorial climate dominates the islands near Australia and Asia, as well as to the east of 180 meridian in the equator zone, Equatorial - west of 180 meridian, subtropical - to the north and south of the tropics, moderate - most of the southern island in New Zealand.

The climate of Oceania islands is determined mainly by the trade winds, therefore, at most of them, abundant precipitation falls. The average annual precipitation varies from 1500 to 4000 mm, although on some islands (in particular, due to the design features and on the leeward side), the climate may be more arid or more wet. In Oceania, one of the most wet places of the planet is located: on the eastern slope of the Vaileal Mountain on the island of Kauai, up to 11,430 mm of precipitation drops each year (the absolute maximum was reached in 1982: then 16,916 mm fell). Near the tropics, the average temperature is about 23 ° C, at the equator - 27 ° C, with a slight difference between the hottest and most cold months.

At the climate of Oceania islands, such anomalies as the currents of El Niño and La Niña also have a great influence. During El Niño, the interdropic convergence zone moves to the north towards the Equator, with La Nier - south away from the equator. In the latter case, a strong drought is observed on the islands, in the first - strong rains.

Most Oceania islands are subject to the destructive effects of natural cataclysms: volcanic eruptions (Hawaiian Islands, new hebrides), earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, accompanied by typhoins and strong rains, droughts. Many of them lead to essential material and human losses. For example, as a result of Tsunami in Papua - 2,200 people died in July 1999.

On the South Island in New Zealand and on the island of New Guinea high in the mountains there are glaciers, however, due to the global warming process, there is a gradual reduction in their area.

Soil and hydrology

Because of the various climatic conditions of the soil Oceania are very diverse. The soil of the atolls is highly riveted, coral origin, very poor. Usually they are porous, due to which moisture is very poorly delayed, and also contain very few organic and mineral substances with the exception of calcium, sodium and magnesium. Soils of volcanic islands, as a rule, have volcanic origin and are distinguished by high fertility. On large mountainous islands there are red-yellow, mining varnisses, mountain-meadow, yellow-brown soils, yellow-glazes, reds.

Large rivers are only on the South and North Island of New Zealand, as well as on the island of New Guinea, on which the largest oceania rivers, sepik (1126 km) and Flace (1050 km) are located. The largest river of New Zealand - Whicato (425 km). Nutrition rivers predominantly rain, although in New Zealand and on New Guinea, the rivers are also fueled by the waters from the melting glaciers and snow. The river's atolls are not at all due to the high soil porosity. Instead, rainwater, leaking through the soil, forms a lens slightly stray water, to get to which you can, dig a well. On the larger islands (as a rule, volcanic origin) there are small streams of water that flow in the side of the ocean.

The greatest number of lakes, including thermal, is in New Zealand, where there are also geysers. On other islands Oceania, the lake is a great rarity.

Flora and fauna

Oceania is included in the Paleotropic region of vegetation, while three subdomains are distinguished: Melanesian-Micronesian, Hawaiian and New Zelaland. Among the most widespread rich plants of Oceania, coconut palm trees and breadwinners are distinguished, which play an important role in the life of local residents: the fruits are used in food, wood is a source of heat, construction material, from the oily endosperm of coconut palm nuts produce a copp, which is the basis for exporting countries of this Region. On the islands also grows a large number of epiphytes (ferns, orchids). The largest number of endemics (both representatives of flora and fauna) are registered in New Zealand and in the Hawaiian Islands, while from the West to the East there is a decrease in the number of species, childbirth and plants.

The animal world of Oceania also applies to the Polynesian faunistic area with the subland of the Hawaiian Islands. The Fauna of New Zealand stands out to an independent area, New Guinea - to the Papuaski subland of the Australian region. New Zealand and New Guinea are distinguished by the greatest variety. On the small islands of Oceania, first of all, the atolls, mammals almost do not meet: only a small rat is inhabited for many of them. But the local ornithofaun is very rich. On most atolls there are bird bazaars, where sea birds nest. From representatives of the fauna of New Zealand, birds of Kiwi, who have become the national symbol of the country are the most famous. Other endemics of the country - Kea (lat. Nestor Notabilis, or Nestor), Cocoapo (Lat. Strigops Habroptilus, or Sovic Parrot), Taka (Lat. Notoronis Hochstelteri, or Outless Sultanka). In all Oceania islands, a large number of lizards, snakes and insects live.

In the course of European colonization of the islands on many of them, foreign species of plants and animals were delivered, which had a negative impact on the local flora and fauna.

In the territory of the region there is a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy significant areas. For example, Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati from January 28, 2008 are the world's largest marine reserve (area of \u200b\u200b410,500 km²).

Population

Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians and Papuans are indigenous inhabitants of Oceania.

Polynesians living in Polynesia countries have a mixed racial type: their appearance are viewed by the features of the Europeanoid and mongoloid races, and to a lesser extent - Australoid. The largest peoples of Polynesia are Hawaiians, self-suicide, Taitians, Tongsans, Maori, Markizers, Rapanuitsa and others. Native languages \u200b\u200bbelong to the Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian Languages: Hawaiian, Samanevsky, Taitian, Tongan, Maori, Marquis, Rapanoisky and others. The characteristic features of Polynesian languages \u200b\u200bare a small number of sounds, especially consonant, abundance of vowels.

Micronesians live in the countries of Micronesia. The largest peoples are Carolins, Kiribati, Marshall, Nauru, Chamorro and others. Native languages \u200b\u200bbelong to the Micronesian group of Austronesian Languages: Kiribati, Carolinsky, Kusayan, Marshall, Naurouan and others. Languages \u200b\u200bof Palau and Chamorro refer to West Malaysian-Polynesian, and Yappan forms a separate branch in the composition of the oceanic languages, which also include Micronesian languages.

Melanesians live in Melanesia countries. Race type - Australoid, with a small mongoloid element, close to the Papuas of New Guinea. Melanesians speak Mellanesian languages, but their languages, unlike Micronesian and Polynesian and Polynesian, do not form a separate genetic group, and the language fragility is very large, so people from neighboring villages can not understand each other.

Papuans inhabit the island of New Guinea and some areas of Indonesia. According to anthropological type, they are close to melanesians, but differ from them by language. Not all Papua Russian languages \u200b\u200bare related to each other. The national language of Papuans in Papua - New Guinea is the Creole Tok-Pisin language on an English basis. According to various people of the peoples and languages \u200b\u200bof Papuans, there are from 300 to 800. At the same time, there are difficulties in establishing the difference between a separate language and dialect.

Many ocean languages \u200b\u200bare on the verge of extinction. In everyday life, they are increasingly crowding out English and French.

The position of the indigenous population in the countries of Oceania is different. If, for example, in the Hawaiian Islands, their share is very low, then in New Zealand Maori make up to 15% of the country's population. The share of Polynesians on the Northern Mariana Islands located in Micronesia is about 21.3%. In Papua - New Guinea, the majority of the population make up numerous Papuan peoples, although the share of immigrants from other islands of the region is also high.

In New Zealand and in the Hawaiian Islands, the majority of the population are Europeans, whose share is also high in New Caledonia (34%) and in French Polynesia (12%). On Fiji Islands 38.2% of the population is represented by Indo-Fijians, descendants of Indian contract workers brought to the islands of the British in the XIX century.

Recently, the share of immigrants from Asia (mostly Chinese and Philipins) increases in Oceania countries. For example, on the Northern Mariana Islands, the share of Philipps is 26.2%, and the Chinese are 22.1%.

Oceania's population mainly professes Christianity, adhering to either Protestant or the Catholic branch.

Oceania history

Preolonional period

The island of New Guinea and the nearby islands of Melanesia were, presumably populated by immigrants from Southeast Asia, sailing at about 30-50 thousand years ago. About 2-4 thousand years ago, most of Micronesia and Polynesia were settled. The process of colonization ended in about 1200 of our era. By the beginning of the XVI century, the peoples of Oceania were experiencing a period of decomposition of the primitive communal system and the formation of a early grade society. Crafts were actively developed, agriculture, navigation.

Colonial period

Ships of the English traveler James Cook and Canoeing Natives in Matavai Bay on Tahiti Island (French Polynesia), artist William Khodjes, 1776

In the period from the XVI to the XVIII century, the period of studying Oceania with Europeans, who gradually began to settle the islands. However, the process of European colonization was very slow, as the region did not cause much interest among the aliens due to the lack of natural wealth, and had a negative impact on the local population: many diseases were transported, which were never in Oceania, and this led to epidemics, The result of which the residue is a significant part of the natives. At the same time, a Christianization of residents who worshiped numerous deities and spirits were worshiped.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the section of Oceania islands between colonial powers, primarily the British Empire, Spain and France (subsequently, the US and the German Empire also joined them). Of particular interest among the Europeans caused the possibility of creating plantations on the islands (coconut palm trees for the production of copper, sugar cane), as well as slave trade (the so-called "hunt for black droinds", which assumed the recruitment of the islanders to work on plantations).

In 1907, New Zealand became a dominion, but formally, she became a completely independent state in 1947. After the First World War, the first political organizations began to be emerged ("May" on Western Samoa, "Fijian Youth" for Fiji), which fought for the independence of the colonies. During World War II, Oceania was one of the theaters of hostilities, where many battles occurred (mainly between Japanese and American troops).

After the war in the region there were some improvements in the economy, but in most colonies, she was one-sided nature (the predominance of plantation economy and the almost complete absence of industry). Since the 1960s, the process of decolonization began: in 1962, independence received Western Samoa, in 1963 - West Irian, in 1968 - Nauru. Subsequently, most of the colonies became independent.

Postwoman period

After obtaining independence in most Oceania countries, serious economic, political and social problems have survived, which they are trying to decide thanks to the help of the world community (including the UN) and through regional cooperation. Despite the process of decolonization in the 20th century, some of the islands of the region still remain in one extent dependent: New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna from France, Pitcairn Islands from Great Britain, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau from New Zealand, row Islands (all external small islands, except for Navassa Island) from the United States.

Economy

Most countries of Oceania have a very weak economy, which is associated with several reasons: the limitness of natural wealth, remoteness from the world market sales markets, a deficit of highly qualified specialists. Many states depend on the financial assistance of other countries.

The basis of the economy of most Oceania countries is agriculture (production of copers and palm oil) and fishing. Among the most important crops, coconut palm trees are distinguished, bananas, breadcrumbs. Possessing huge exclusive economic zones and without having a large fishing fleet, the governments of the Oceania countries issue licenses for the right of fish to the courts of other states (mainly Japan, Taiwan, USA), which significantly replenishes the state budget. The mining industry is most developed in Papua - New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand.

A significant part of the population is occupied in the public sector. Recently, measures are being taken to develop the tourist sector of the economy.

Culture

The art of Oceania has developed a distinctive style, which gives the uniqueness of local culture.

In the pictorial art of Polynesians, the main place is owned by carving on wood and sculpture. Maori has a high-level thread reached, they decorated the boats, details of the houses, cut out the statues of gods and ancestors, such a statue stands in every village. The main motive of the ornament is a spiral. Stone statues of the MOAI created on the island of Easter and in the Marquis Islands. From the crafts, the most important was the construction of boats, as they allowed to engage in fishing and traveling to long distances (in this regard, the Polynesians developed astronomy). Among the Polynesians, a tattoo was widely widespread. The tap served as a clothing, which was made from the bark of the trees of the Family Family. In Polynesia, the myths, legends, fairy tales, singing and dancing were developed. Writing was probably only on Easter Island (Rongo-Rongo), folklore was passed on orally on other islands.

Micronesians from the art of art are popular singing and dancing. Each tribe has its own myths. In everyday life, the main place was held by the court - boats. There were boats of different types: Dibenil - sailing, Wab - a large junior boat. Megalites meet on the islands. Of particular interest is Nan-Madol, known as "Micronesian Venice". This is a whole city on the water, in the lagoon on the island of Ponap. Stone structures are built on artificial islets.

The melanesians of a special heyday reached a wood carving. Unlike Polynesians, Melanesians were not so tied to the sea, they were more like sushi residents. The main musical instrument is a drum, or tames. Papuans are common folklore, songs, dances, myths. Songs and dances are very simple. Singing is called Moon, the melody varies very weakly. The cult of ancestors and skulls is important. Papuats manufactures Corvara - images of ancestors. Well developed wood carving.

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Ocean Islands - the most exotic and unusual direction for travel. It is already enough that when the homeland is raging in the homeland, then in the southern hemisphere - the height of the summer. And even though people do not go down their heads there, and the water is not twisted in the opposite direction, the land of Oceania remains for many real terra incognita.

What is Oceania?

Oceania boundaries are sufficiently conditional. In essence, this is the cluster of the islands in the central and western part of the Pacific Ocean. The eastern point is the Island of Easter, Western - New Guinea. Geographers unite Oceania with Australia and consider these lands a separate part of the light.

In a rather long list there are such islands such as New Zealand, New Guinea, Fiji, Easter, Solomon, Hawaiian and many others. Most of the islands are formed at the expense of volcanic activity, and many firewalling mountains still have a danger.

Papua New Guinea

Papua - New Guinea occupy a territory comparable from Square with Sweden, and actually combine Australia and Asia. Still long before European seawares and Miklukho-Maclay Indonesian rulers sent here their envisons for hunting for exotic birds and labor. The name of the island gave the Portuguese Don George di Menezish, clearly hinting on the hair of the Aboriginal: "Papua" in Malay means "curly". Here in use are more than 820 languages \u200b\u200b- this is due to some isolated tribes from each other because of the mountainous area.

Fiji

Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands, and inhabitants of them only a third. The Europeans opened the Islands of Fiji in the XVII century, but until the XIX century did not risen the colonies there. The reason was one - the cannibalism of the aborigines. The leader had continued authority and power. In the villages still preserved respect for the chapter of the tribe: sunglasses and hats are allowed to wear only to him. But as for tourists ... It is difficult to find a more hospitable people. Here you will be treated by unusual dishes: the boiled flying, stew in banana leaves and even fried snakes. However, the beauty of the rainforest and diverse underwater world Fiji, for which divers are very appreciated, is short-lived: because of the climate of the coral climate, which the island is obliged to origin, are threatened - the ecosoboms are alarming.

New Zealand

New Zealand (or "Long White Cloud") was opened in 1642 by the Dutch Sailor Abel Tasman. Local tribes at the time unequivocally did not like white-skinned Europeans ... This is now New Zealand is considered the safest country of the world. Only James Cook in 1769 risked here, he also contributed to the inclusion new country in English possessions. The symbol of the island - the woundless timid bird of Kiwi - the New Zealander is called themselves. Well, Tolkien fans do not not know that all parts of the trilogy of the "Lord of the Rings" were filmed among the local landscapes, and during special tours you can see Hobbions and the dwelling of the Baggins.

Solomon islands

Solomon Islands are little known in the world. Similar remoteness from other geographic objects. Meanwhile, here is a constant soft climate and a unique nature in its beauty. For example, on the list World Heritage UNESCO is about to enter the salty lagoon Marovo with sparkling blue water - the largest in the world. There are the most exalted coral island - East Renhell. Tengano is so large freshwater lake on the territory of the southern hemisphere, which is 200 islands in its water management. As for the inhabitants, their manners and habits are rather curious. For example, many of them still worship sharks. Aborigines before the arrival of missionaries were mostly head hunters. By the way, about 10% of the blacks of Solomon Islands are blondes. It is not a mutation that appeared many centuries ago - this is not connected with the settlements of Europeans.

Animal and vegetable world

Flora and the fauna of Oceania islands are affected by the imagination of experienced tourists with their exotic. What is just a grain tree! "The one who planches the breadwinner will make more in order to feed his descendants than the Helborob, all his life in the face of the face of his processing field," James Cook wrote. One plant can give up to 700-800 "breads" - special fruits with a sweet pulp, of which "bake" peculiar beekens. Sagovy palm trees in New Guinea give starch from which tasty pancakes make. In the abundance of rainforests you can meet trees-cakes - the sweet taste of their fruit really resembles confectionery. Well, the coconut bananas do not consider at all - without these fruits, the aborigines would not be able to survive.

People with entomophobia - the fear of insects - there is nothing to do on the islands of Oceania. Huge spiders, poisonous flies and giant butterflies are quite capable of scaring and even harm. In the jungle there is a danger of coming on the snake - well, or she spikes himself from the branch. In contrast to the dangers - the indescribable beauty of the paradise birds and the humble face of the sample animals. By the way, the possums, as many, many are mistaken, are not found in Oceania: there are possesses. This confusion arose during the research times of James Cook - a biologist of the expedition was attributed to the sophisticated animals in America in America.

Planting diving, sabotage on the world's best beaches from coral crumbs, ride skiing, see a parrot in a natural habitat and play the romantic wedding - this is not a complete list of what recently opened tourists oceania Islands.

Pavilion "Around the World. Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia and Oceania "

Ethnomir, Kaluga region, Borovsky district, Petrovo village

In the ethnographic park-museum "Ethnomir" is an amazing place. "Urban" Street is built inside the spacious pavilion, so on the street of the world is always warm, light and good weather - just time for fascinating walkMoreover, within the framework of the latter, you can make a whole trip around the world. As well as on any street, in love with tourists, there are attractions, workshops, street artisans, cafes and shops that are inside and outside 19 homes.

The facades of the buildings are made in different ethnic styles. Each house is a "quote" from the life and traditions of a certain country. Already the appearance of the houses begins a story about distant lands.

Enter the inside - and you will be surrounded by new, unfamiliar subjects, sounds and smells. Color range and finishing, furniture, interior and life items - all this helps to plunge into the atmosphere of distant countries, to understand and experience their uniqueness.