Australia and the Pacific Islands
Australia and the Pacific Islands
Australia is unique in that it is both a continent and a country. It is the world’s smallest continent, but the sixth largest country in land area. The Pacific Islands are composed of approximately 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. Most of these islands are sparsely populated. In this interactivity, you will explore Australia and the Pacific Islands. Click the player to begin.
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British Colonization of Australia
Captain James Cook, 1776
Captain James Cook mapped the eastern coast of Australia in 1770. He also claimed the territory for Great Britain. In 1788, the British established a prison colony on the continent. Prisons in England were overcrowded during this time. Criminals were often punished with exile, even for petty crimes. From 1788 to 1868, roughly 160,000 men, women, and children were exiled to Australia.
After serving their sentences, many people decided to stay. Free settlers also came to Australia seeking land and new opportunities. Six colonies were eventually established on the continent. In 1901, the six colonies formed one nation, the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia is an independent country; however, it still recognizes the British monarch as its head of state. The nation’s convict origins were once a source of shame. Today, most Australians proudly embrace this part of their history.
Aboriginal People of Australia
Aboriginal woman lecturing about traditional Aboriginal culture
The term Aborigine refers to the various indigenous people of Australia. The Aboriginal people were the first human settlers of Australia. They migrated from Asia to Australia around 50,000 years ago. The Aboriginal people were isolated from the rest of the world for thousands of years. During this time, they developed a unique culture and way of life. They lived in family units called clans. They were nomadic hunters and gatherers who adapted to Australia’s arid climate. The land also held spiritual value for the Aboriginal people.
Before British colonization, the Aboriginal population was between 500,000 and one million. A large part of the population died from diseases like smallpox. Others were forced off their land by British settlers. Without lands to hunt or access to fresh water, more people died. Today, Aboriginal people make up 3% of Australia’s population. They suffer from disproportionately higher rates of poverty; however, Aboriginal civil rights movements have made major strides in the last 50 years.
Maori People of New Zealand
Maori people wearing traditional clothing and performing a ceremonial dance
The Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They have a unique culture with their own language, traditions, and art. The Maori migrated to New Zealand from eastern Polynesia more than 700 years ago. They were the only inhabitants of New Zealand until the British arrived in the late 1700s. Similar to the Australian Aborigines, the Maori faced challenges maintaining their land. Many people were killed by disease or fighting over land.
Maori civil rights movements have made progress since the late twentieth century. They have gained back some of their ancestral land and have even made Maori an official language in New Zealand. Today, the Maori make up about 15% of the population.
Australia and the Pacific Islands Review
Now that you have learned about the major regions, countries, and cities of Australia and the Pacific Islands, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.
