Content - Part 2

Australia and the Pacific Islands

Cultural Influences of Australia and the Pacific Islands

Cultural Influences of Australia and the Pacific Islands Interactivity

Oceania reflects the interactions of indigenous cultures with European and Asian cultures. Many of the people in this region live in large multicultural cities. Some have a traditional way of life that is not influenced by the modern world. In this interactivity, you will learn about the cultural influences of Australia and the Pacific Islands. Click the player to begin.

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Economic Characteristics of Australia

Central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Australia

Australia has a highly developed market economy. The country has access to abundant natural resources and is heavily involved in international trade. The population enjoys a high standard of living. Unemployment and poverty rates are relatively low.

Gold mine in the Western Plateau region of Australia

The Australian economy has a large primary sector. Major industries include mining, ranching, and farming. Rich deposits of iron, gold, silver, copper, and uranium can be found throughout the Western Plateau. Coal and natural gas are also extracted and exported. Almost 90% of Australia’s agricultural land is used for ranching. This is because the continent is very dry, and arid areas are able to support cattle and sheep stations. Many ranches are located in the dry Central Lowlands. The fertile land found in coastal areas is used to grow crops like wheat, barley, grapes, and other fruit.

Most Australians work in the tertiary and quaternary sectors. The tertiary sector sells goods and services to people and businesses. This sector is sometimes called the service sector. It includes industries like retail, communications services, and healthcare. The quaternary sector focuses on financial services and information. It includes industries like banking, education, and science.

Invasive Species in Australia

European rabbit

Australia and the Pacific Islands are home to unique plant and animal life. These species developed in isolation and do not exist anywhere else on Earth. This has created a situation where invasive species can be a serious threat. An invasive species dominates an environment by replacing native species. This generally has a negative impact.

When Europeans came to Australia, they introduced several non-native species. Many species were brought to the continent on purpose. At the time, people did not fully understand the consequences of introducing a non-native species into a new environment. Many of these invasive species have had a negative impact on the environment. For example, the British brought rabbits to Australia for hunting. The European rabbits reproduced rapidly. Huge areas of vegetation were eaten by the large rabbit population. This left soil vulnerable to erosion and destroyed the food supply of native species.

Other examples of invasive species in Australia include red foxes, pigs, European honey bees, water buffalo, cane toads, and cats. Cats were brought to the country as pets; however, many cats were released into the wild and became feral. Today, the feral cat population is estimated to be around four million. They have caused the extinction of 20 species of small mammals.

Economic Characteristics of the Pacific Islands

Village with thatched-roof dwellings in Fiji

Most of the Pacific Islands have traditional economies, or economies based on tourism. Many of the islands are small and sparsely populated. The people survive through subsistence farming and fishing. The smallest islands lack natural resources to support development. Economic growth is also limited by the physical isolation. Certain goods and services must be transported by air or water. The natural beauty of this region attracts tourists. Some tourists come to relax at beach resorts, while others come to snorkel or scuba dive near coral reefs.

Papua New Guinea is an example of a traditional economy in the Pacific Islands. It is the second most populous country in Oceania, after Australia. Millions of people in the country have a traditional lifestyle. They live in remote areas, are self-sustaining, and have little to no contact with the modern world. Only 20% of the population lives in cities and urban areas.

New Zealand is an example of modern living in the region. It is the third most populous country in Oceania. Over 85% of the population lives in cities like Auckland and Wellington. The economy is highly developed and heavily involved in the global economy. New Zealand has a large primary sector. These industries include ranching, farming, fishing, and forestry. Other major industries are manufacturing, tourism, and financial services. Around 75% of New Zealanders work in the tertiary and quaternary sectors.

Remote and Isolated Areas

Bush plane landing in the Australian Outback

Roughly 86% of Australia’s population lives along the coast. The rest of the population lives in rural settlements located farther inland. These rural communities are so far from the coast that they lack access to certain goods and services. They also lack the infrastructure to support large aircraft. Small planes are used to transport goods to people living in the Australian Outback. The pilots are called “bush pilots” and the planes are equipped to land on rough terrain.

The physical geography of the Pacific Islands has also isolated the region. Individual islands are separated by vast distances of water. Air and water travel are used to transport goods and services to these remote islands. These goods include construction materials, machinery, medicine, and even foods that would be unavailable otherwise.

Cultural Influences of Australia and the Pacific Islands Review

Cultural Influences of Australia and the Pacific Islands Review Interactivity

Now that you have learned about the cultural influences and economic characteristics of Australia and the Pacific Islands, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.