Introduction

Physical Geography of Australia and the Pacific Islands

In this topic, you will explore the physical geography of Australia and the Pacific Islands. This region is also known as Oceania. Oceania is composed of thousands of islands. The largest of these islands is Australia, which is the world’s smallest continent. Many of the islands are small, uninhabited islands made of coral. During this topic, you will also learn about the continent of Antarctica. While it is not a part of Oceania, geographers often discuss Antarctica with this region.

Essential Question

• What are the major physical and environmental features of Australia and the Pacific Islands?

 

Warm-Up

Islands are isolated areas. Oceans and other large bodies of water separate islands from the rest of the world. This isolation can cause speciation. Speciation occurs when a new species that is genetically different from the original species emerges slowly over time. Speciation is the reason Australia and the Pacific Islands have such unique animal life. In this interactivity, you will discover animals that are only found in this region. As you complete the activity, think about which species you already knew of and which species are new to you. Click the player to get started.