Geographically, Oceania is the world's largest collection of islands, which are located in the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean. Far from us, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and temperate Southern hemispheres. Many classifications usually combine Oceania with Australia, although Australia, as we know, is a continent.
Oceania is a world of great contrasts; many interesting plants, unique nature and unforgettable culture grow here.
The total area of the islands is 1.26 million square kilometers (and together with Australia 8.52 million km²). Population: almost 11 million people. (for the company with Australia - 32.6 million people).
Oceania is divided into three geographical regions, the names of which alone evoke thoughts of adventure and pristine nature. Their names are Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. The islands of Oceania are washed by many seas of the Pacific Ocean - the Coral Sea, Solomon, New Guinea, Tasman Sea, Koro and Fiji, as well as the Arafura Sea, which belongs to the Indian Ocean basin.
Origin of land in Oceania
From a geological point of view, only Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania are of continental origin. They were once part of the proto-continent Gondwana, which broke apart. At that time, these islands were solid land, but the waters of the World Ocean rose to a considerable height and part of the surface was flooded. Now the highest parts of the land that belonged to Gondwana protrude above the water.
The topography of most islands is mountainous and highly dissected. There are in Oceania and truly high peaks, including Mount Jaya (elevation 5029 m), on the island of New Guinea.
Types of islands
Colossal transformations apparently took place once in these places. It is determined that most of the islands of Oceania arose as a result of volcanic activity. Some are the tops of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still exhibit high volcanic activity (for example, on Hawaiian Islands).
There are also many islands of coral origin in this region. These are atolls that arose as a result of the growth of corals around submerged volcanoes (for example, the Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). On such islands there are often large lagoons that are protected from open sea numerous islands, the average height of which above the water level does not exceed three meters. 
In Oceania there is an atoll with the world's largest lagoon - Kwajalein (Marshall Islands archipelago). The ratio of its land area is striking - 16.32 km², but the area of the lagoon is 2174 km². This is what it says in the reference books; I had never imagined that the area of the island could be smaller than the area of the bay (lagoon).
There is another breakthrough atoll in Oceania. This time the largest in terms of land area. It is called Christmas Island (or Kiritimati) in the Line archipelago and has an area of 322 km². 
Among atolls there is also a special type - raised (or elevated) atoll. Such an atoll is a limestone plateau with a height of up to 50-60 m above sea level. This type of island does not have a lagoon or there are traces of its existence in the past. Examples of such atolls are Nauru, Niue, and Banaba. 
In the Oceania region, the bottom of the World Ocean has a complex structure. The region is characterized by active volcanism, seismicity and contrasting topography.
Oceania countries
The all-knowing Wikipedia gives the following classification:
| Name of region, countries and country flag | Square (km²) | Population (est. July 2002) | Population density (persons/km²) | Capital | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | |||||
| Australia | 7 692 024 | 21 050 000 | 2,5 | Canberra | AUD (Australian Dollar) |
| Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Australia) | 5 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Coral Sea Islands (Australia) | 7 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Norfolk Island (Australia) | 35 | 1 866 | 53,3 | Kingston | AUD (Australian Dollar) |
Melanesia |
|||||
| 12 190 | 196 178 | 16,1 | Port Vila | VUV (Vatu) | |
| Irian Jaya() | 421 981 | 2 646 489 | 6,27 | Jayapura, Manokwari | IDR (Rupiah) |
| New Caledonia (France) | 18 575 | 207 858 | 10,9 | Noumea | |
| Papua New Guinea | 462 840 | 5 172 033 | 11,2 | Port Moresby | PGK (Kina) |
| Solomon islands | 28 450 | 494 786 | 17,4 | Honiara | SBD (Solomon Islands Dollar) |
| Fiji | 18 274 | 856 346 | 46,9 | Suva | FJD (Fiji Dollar) |
Micronesia |
|||||
| Guam (USA) | 541 | 160 796 | 292,9 | Hagatna | USD (USA Dollar) |
| Kiribati | 811 | 96 335 | 118,8 | South Tarawa | AUD (Australian Dollar) |
| 181 | 73 630 | 406,8 | Majuro | USD (USA Dollar) | |
| Federated States of Micronesia | 702 | 135 869 | 193,5 | Palikir | USD (USA Dollar) |
| Nauru | 21 | 12 329 | 587,1 | AUD (Australian Dollar) | |
| Palau | 458 | 19 409 | 42,4 | Ngerulmud | USD (USA Dollar) |
| Northern Mariana Islands (USA) | 463,63 | 77 311 | 162,1 | Saipan | USD (USA Dollar) |
| Wake Atoll (USA) | 7,4 | - | - | - | |
Polynesia |
|||||
| Baker Island (USA) | 1,24 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Hawaii (USA) | 28 311 | 1 211 537 | 72,83 | Honolulu | USD (USA Dollar) |
| Jarvis Island (USA) | 4,45 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Johnston Atoll (USA) | 2,52 | - | - | - | |
| Kingman Reef (USA) | 0,01 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Kiribati | 811 | 96 335 | 118,8 | South Tarawa | AUD (Australian Dollar) |
| Cook Islands (New Zealand) | 236,7 | 20 811 | 86,7 | Avarua | NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
| Midway Islands (USA) | 6,23 | - | - | - | |
| Niue (New Zealand) | 261,46 | 2 134 | 8,2 | Alofi | NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
| New Zealand | 268 680 | 4 108 037 | 14,5 | Wellington | NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
| Palmyra Atoll (USA) | 6,56 | - | - | - | |
| Isla de Pascua (Chile) | 163,6 | 5806 | 23,1 | Hanga Roa | CLP (Chilean Pesso) |
| Pitcairn Islands (UK) | 47 | 47 | 10 | Adamstown | NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
| French Polynesia (France) | 4 167 | 257 847 | 61,9 | Papeete | XPF (French Pacific Franc) |
| American Samoa (USA) | 199 | 68 688 | 345,2 | Pago Pago, Fagatogo | USD (USA Dollar) |
| Samoa | 2 935 | 178 631 | 60,7 | Apia | WST (Samoan tala) |
| Tokelau (New Zealand) | 10 | 1 431 | 143,1 | - | NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
| Tonga | 748 | 106 137 | 141,9 | Nuku'alofa | TOP (Tongan pa'anga) |
| Tuvalu | 26 | 11 146 | 428,7 | Funafuti | AUD (Australian Dollar) |
| Wallis and Futuna (France) | 274 | 15 585 | 56,9 | Mata-Utu | XPF (French Pacific Franc) |
| Howland Island (USA) | 1,62 | uninhabited | - | - | |
Oceania. Climate
The prevailing climate is tropical. Oceania is characterized by high rainfall. On the islands located closer to the tropical zone, the average annual temperature is +23 °C, on the islands near the equator – +27 °C.
Oceania's climate is influenced by currents such as La Niña and El Niño. Most of the islands of Oceania are negatively affected by active volcanoes. Tsunamis and typhoons also happen here.
Drastic changes are happening here weather conditions– heavy rains give way to droughts.
Population of Oceania
Although colonialists from Europe and America actively tried to exploit these territories, the majority of the local population are indigenous people. Such as Micronesians, Polynesians, Papuans. Polynesians are mixed racial types - they show features of Caucasoids and Mongoloids.
The largest groups of Polynesians include Hawaiians, Maoris, Tongans, and Tahitians. Each nationality has its own language, the peculiarity of which is the almost complete absence of consonants. 
Among the Melanesians, the linguistic fragmentation of the tribes is very large. Often residents of even neighboring villages cannot understand each other. The Papuans, as in Cook's time, inhabit some regions of Indonesia and New Guinea. 
All Papuan languages are very similar to each other. But now they are based native language the same Cook who, according to legend, was eaten, i.e. English. So if you speak English, you can speak fluently and easily with a Papuan. 
Flora of Oceania
Oceania has a large extent both in latitude and meridian. That's why vegetable world The islands are very diverse. There are representatives here that are completely surprising to us, such as:
- breadfruit,
- coconut palm,
- ferns
- orchids.
Animal world
The fauna of the islands of Oceania is less diverse, because mammals are practically absent.
New Zealand and New Guinea have the greatest diversity in Okenia. On the small islands of Oceania, primarily atolls, there are almost no mammals: many of them are inhabited only by rats, and even then only a few (they are probably protected there!?).
But the islands are very rich in bird colonies, where seabirds nest. Of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become national symbol countries. Other common bird species are kea (or nestor), kakapo (or owl parrot), takahe (or wingless parakeet).
What else is abundant on all the islands of Oceania are lizards, snakes and insects.
During the European colonization of the islands, alien species of plants and animals were introduced to many of them, which negatively affected the local flora and fauna.
The region is located a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy significant areas. For example, the Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati have been the world's largest marine reserve since January 28, 2008 (area 410,500 km²).
Describe how to get to the countries of Oceania I don’t see the point here, because the region is very remote from our country, the most realistic way to get there is only by plane, and how exactly depends on the country you choose.
Its total area is 1.3 million km2. Moreover, 90% of the territory is occupied by two islands - Novaya (829 thousand km) and (269 thousand km2).
Oceania became known to Europeans in the 16th century, from the time of F.'s first trip around the world. A special chapter in the history of its discovery and research is made up of the campaigns of Russian navigators. In the 19th century alone, more than 40 Russian expeditions visited there and collected valuable scientific information. N.N. made a great contribution to the study of Oceania. , who described the life and way of life of the peoples inhabiting the islands, as well as the islands and shores of the tropical sea. The contribution of compatriots to the study of Oceania is evidenced by the Russian names on its map. The origin of the islands is different:
Modern political map Oceania was formed as a result of the stubborn struggle of the colonial powers to divide the islands and archipelagos among themselves. Until the early 60s of the 20th century, there was one independent state in Oceania, created by colonists from England.
In the states of Oceania great importance has - production of coconuts, coffee, spices. A promising industry in a number of countries is timber harvesting (Solomon Islands, Fiji, Western Samoa). IN last years in Oceania, manufacturing enterprises were built with help. They are focused mainly on the domestic market.
Oceania is an extremely unique region of the world with amazingly beautiful nature and a unique culture, so its uniqueness is beginning to be actively used, and it is becoming a place of pilgrimage for tourists and vacationers (Fiji, Papua New Guinea).
In terms of the level of socio-economic development, the states of Oceania differ significantly from each other. The most developed is New Zealand, the least developed are the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. A serious obstacle to the development of countries is the distance from the economically developed centers of the world.
Oceania is a part of the world; a geographical, often geopolitical region of the world consisting primarily of hundreds of small islands and atolls in the central and western parts Pacific Ocean.
Geographical position
Oceania is the world's largest collection of islands, located in the western and central Pacific Ocean, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and temperate Southern hemispheres. When dividing all land into parts of the world, Oceania is usually combined with Australia into a single part of the world, Australia and Oceania, although sometimes it is separated into independent part Sveta.
The total area of the 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; New Zealand is sometimes singled out.
The islands of Oceania are washed by numerous Pacific seas (Coral Sea, Tasman Sea, Fiji Sea, Koro Sea, Solomon Sea, New Guinea Sea, Philippine Sea) and Indian Oceans(Arafura Sea).
Countries and dependent territories
| Name of region, countries |
Population |
Population density (persons/km²) |
|||
| Australia | |||||
| Australia |
Canberra |
AUD (Australian Dollar) |
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| Ashmore and Cartier (Australia) |
uninhabited |
||||
| Cocos Islands (Australia) |
West Island |
AUD (Australian Dollar) |
|||
| Coral Sea Islands (Australia) |
uninhabited |
||||
| Norfolk (Australia) |
Kingston |
AUD (Australian Dollar) |
|||
| Christmas Island (Australia) |
Flying Fish Cove |
AUD (Australian Dollar) |
|||
| Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Australia) |
uninhabited |
||||
| Melanesia | |||||
| Vanuatu |
Port Vila |
||||
| Irian Jaya (Indonesia) |
Jayapura, Manokwari |
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| New Caledonia (France) | |||||
| Papua New Guinea |
Port Moresby |
||||
| 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 |
Melekeok |
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, Fagatogo |
USD (USA Dollar) |
|||
| Baker (USA) |
uninhabited |
||||
| Hawaii (USA) |
Honolulu |
USD (USA Dollar) |
|||
| Jarvis (USA) |
uninhabited |
||||
| Johnston (USA) | |||||
| Kingman (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 (UK) |
Adamstown |
NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
|||
| Samoa |
WST (Samoan tala) |
||||
| Tokelau (New Zealand) |
NZD (New Zealand Dollar) |
||||
| Tonga |
Nuku'alofa |
TOP (Tongan pa'anga) |
|||
| Tuvalu |
Funafuti |
AUD (Australian Dollar) |
|||
| Wallis and Futuna (France) |
XPF (French Pacific Franc) |
||||
| French Polynesia (France) |
XPF (French Pacific Franc) |
||||
| Howland (USA) |
uninhabited |
Geology
From a geological point of view, Oceania is not a continent: only Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania are of continental origin, having formed on the site of the hypothetical continent of Gondwana. In the past, these islands were a single landmass, but as a result of rising sea levels, a significant part of the surface was under water. The relief of these islands is mountainous and highly dissected. For example, highest mountains Oceania, including Mount Jaya (5029 m), are located on the island of New Guinea.
Most of the islands of Oceania are of volcanic origin: some of them are the tops of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still exhibit high volcanic activity (for example, the Hawaiian Islands).
Other islands are of coral origin, being atolls that were formed as a result of the formation of coral structures around submerged volcanoes (for example, the Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). Distinctive feature Such islands are large lagoons that are surrounded by numerous islets, or motu, 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 Marshall Islands archipelago. Although its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 sq. miles), its lagoon area is 2,174 km² (or 839.3 sq. miles). The largest atoll in terms of land area is Christmas Island (or Kiritimati) in the Line archipelago (or Central Polynesian Sporades) - 322 km². However, among atolls there is also a special type - a raised (or elevated) atoll, which is a limestone plateau up to 50-60 m high above sea level. This type of island does not have a lagoon or there are traces of its past existence. Examples of such atolls are Nauru, Niue, and Banaba.
The relief and geological structure of the Pacific Ocean floor in the Oceania region has a complex structure. From the Alaska Peninsula (part of North America) to New Zealand there are a large number of basins of marginal seas, deep-sea oceanic trenches(Tonga, Kermadec, Bougainville), which form a geosynclinal belt characterized by active volcanism, seismicity and contrasting relief. 
Most of the islands of Oceania have no mineral resources, only the largest of them are being developed: 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 islands the deposits are almost or already developed, for example, in Nauru, on the islands of Banaba, Makatea). In the past, many islands in the region were heavily mined for guano, the decomposed droppings of seabirds, which were used as nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. On the ocean floor of the exclusive economic zone of a number of countries there are large accumulations of iron-manganese nodules, as well as cobalt, but at the moment no development is being carried out due to economic inexpediency.
Oceania Climate
Oceania is located within several climatic zones: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate. Most of the islands have a tropical climate. Subequatorial climate prevails on the islands near Australia and Asia, as well as east of the 180th meridian in the equator zone, equatorial - west of the 180th meridian, subtropical - north and south of the tropics, temperate - on most of the South Island in New Zealand.
The climate of the islands of Oceania is determined mainly by trade winds, so most of them receive heavy rainfall. Average annual rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 mm, although some islands (particularly due to topography and downwind areas) may have drier or wetter climates. Oceania is home to one of the wettest places on the planet: on the eastern slope of Mount Waialeale on the island of Kauai, up to 11,430 mm of precipitation falls annually (the absolute maximum was reached in 1982: then 16,916 mm fell). Near the tropics average temperature is about 23 °C, at the equator - 27 °C, with little difference between the hottest and coldest months. 
The climate of the Oceanian islands is also greatly influenced by such anomalies as the El Niño and La Niña currents. During El Niño, the intertropical convergence zone moves north toward the equator; during La Niña, it moves south away from the equator. In the latter case, the islands experience severe drought, while in the former, heavy rains occur.
Most of the islands of Oceania are subject to the destructive effects of natural disasters: volcanic eruptions (Hawaiian Islands, New Hebrides), earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones accompanied by typhoons and heavy rains, droughts. Many of them lead to significant material and human losses. For example, the tsunami in Papua New Guinea in July 1999 killed 2,200 people.
There are glaciers high in the mountains on the South Island of New Zealand and on the island of New Guinea, but due to global warming, their area is gradually decreasing.
Soils and hydrology
Due to different climatic conditions, Oceania's soils are very diverse. The soils of the atolls are highly alkaline, of coral origin, and very poor. They are usually porous, which is why they retain moisture very poorly, and also contain very little organic and mineral substances with the exception of calcium, sodium and magnesium. The soils of volcanic islands are usually of volcanic origin and are characterized by high fertility. On large mountainous islands there are red-yellow, mountain lateritic, mountain-meadow, yellow-brown soils, yellow soils, and red soils. 
Large rivers are found only on the South and North Islands of New Zealand, as well as on the island of New Guinea, which contains the largest rivers in Oceania, the Sepik (1126 km) and Fly (1050 km). The largest river in New Zealand is the Waikato (425 km). The rivers are fed primarily by rain, although in New Zealand and New Guinea the rivers are also fed by water from melting glaciers and snow. On atolls there are no rivers at all due to the high porosity of the soil. Instead, rainwater percolates through the soil to form a lens of slightly brackish water that can be reached by digging a well. For more large islands(usually of volcanic origin) there are small streams of water that flow towards the ocean.
The largest number of lakes, including thermal ones, are located in New Zealand, where there are also geysers. On other islands of Oceania, lakes are a rarity.
Flora and fauna
Oceania is included in the Paleotropical region of vegetation, with three subregions distinguished: Melanesian-Micronesian, Hawaiian and New Zealand. Among the most widespread plants of Oceania are the coconut palm and the breadfruit tree, which play important role in life local residents: fruits are used for food, wood is a source of heat, building material, from the oily endosperm of nuts coconut tree produce copra, which forms the basis of exports for countries in this region. A large number of epiphytes (ferns, orchids) also grow on the islands. The largest number of endemics (both flora and fauna) are recorded in New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, while from west to east there is a decrease in the number of species, genera and families of plants.
The fauna of Oceania also belongs to the Polynesian faunal region with a subregion of the Hawaiian Islands. The fauna of New Zealand is allocated to an independent region, New Guinea - to the Papuan subregion of the Australian region. New Zealand and New Guinea are the most diverse. On the small islands of Oceania, primarily atolls, mammals are almost never found: many of them are inhabited only by the small rat. But the local avifauna is very rich. Most atolls have bird colonies where seabirds nest. Of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country. Other endemics of the country are kea (Latin: Nestor notabilis, or nestor), kakapo (Latin: Strigops habroptilus, or owl parrot), takahe (Latin: Notoronis hochstelteri, or wingless plume). All the islands of Oceania are home to a large number of lizards, snakes and insects.
During the European colonization of the islands, alien species of plants and animals were introduced to many of them, which negatively affected the local flora and fauna.
The region contains a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy large areas. For example, the Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati have been the world's largest marine reserve since January 28, 2008 (area 410,500 km²).
Population
The indigenous inhabitants of Oceania are Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians and Papuans.
Polynesians living in the countries of Polynesia have a mixed racial type: in their appearance, features of the Caucasian and Mongoloid races are visible, and to a lesser extent - Australoid. The largest peoples of Polynesia are Hawaiians, Samoans, Tahitians, Tongans, Maoris, Marquesans, Rapanui and others. Native languages belong to the Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian family of languages: Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, Maori, Marquesan, Rapanui and others. Characteristic features of Polynesian languages are a small number of sounds, especially consonants, and an abundance of vowels.
Micronesians live in the countries of Micronesia. The largest peoples are Carolinians, Kiribatis, Marshallese, Nauru, Chamorros and others. The native languages belong to the Micronesian group of the Austronesian family of languages: Kiribati, Carolinian, Kusaie, Marshallese, Nauruan and others. The Palauan and Chamorro languages belong to the West Malayo-Polynesian languages, and Yapese forms separate branch as part of the Oceanian languages, which also includes Micronesian languages.
Melanesians live in the countries of Melanesia. Racial type - Australoid, with a small Mongoloid element, close to the Papuans of New Guinea. Melanesians speak Melanesian languages, but their languages, unlike Micronesian and Polynesian, do not form a separate genetic group, and the linguistic fragmentation is very great, so that people from neighboring villages may not understand each other.
Papuans inhabit the island of New Guinea and some areas of Indonesia. In terms of anthropological type, they are close to the Melanesians, but differ from them in language. Not all Papuan languages are related to each other. The national language of the Papuans in Papua New Guinea is the English-based Tok Pisin creole language. According to various sources of peoples and languages, the Papuans number from 300 to 800. However, there are difficulties in establishing the difference between an individual language and a dialect.
Many languages of Oceania are on the verge of extinction. IN Everyday life they are increasingly being replaced by English and French.
The situation 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 up to 15% of the country's population. The share of Polynesians in the Northern Mariana Islands, located in Micronesia, is about 21.3%. In Papua New Guinea, the majority of the population is made up of numerous Papuan peoples, although there is also a high proportion of people from other islands in the region.
In New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, the majority of the population is European, whose share is also high in New Caledonia (34%) and French Polynesia (12%). On the Fiji Islands, 38.2% of the population is represented by Indo-Fijians, descendants of Indian contract workers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century.
Recently, the proportion of immigrants from Asia (mainly Chinese and Filipinos) has been increasing in the countries of Oceania. For example, in the Northern Mariana Islands, the share of Filipinos is 26.2%, and the Chinese are 22.1%.
The population of Oceania mainly professes Christianity, adhering to either the Protestant or Catholic branches.
History of Oceania
Pre-colonial period
The island of New Guinea and the nearby islands of Melanesia were supposedly settled by people from Southeast Asia who arrived by canoe approximately 30-50 thousand years ago. About 2-4 thousand years ago, most of Micronesia and Polynesia were inhabited. The colonization process ended around 1200 AD. By the beginning of the 16th century, the peoples of Oceania were experiencing a period of decomposition of the primitive communal system and the formation of an early class society. Crafts were actively developing, Agriculture, navigation.
Colonial period
The ships of the English explorer James Cook and the canoes of the natives in Matavai Bay on the island of Tahiti (French Polynesia), artist William Hodges, 1776
In the period from the 16th to the 18th centuries, the period of study of Oceania by Europeans continued, who gradually began to populate the islands. However, the process of European colonization proceeded very slowly, since the region did not arouse much interest among foreigners due to the lack of natural resources, and had a negative impact on the local population: many diseases were introduced that had never existed in Oceania, and this led to epidemics, in as a result of which a significant part of the natives died. At the same time, there was a Christianization of the inhabitants, who worshiped numerous deities and spirits.
In the 18th-19th centuries, the islands of Oceania were divided between colonial powers, primarily the British Empire, Spain and France (later joined by the USA and the German Empire). Of particular interest to Europeans was the possibility of creating plantations on the islands (coconut palms for the production of copra, sugar cane), as well as the slave trade (the so-called “blackbird hunt,” which involved recruiting islanders to work on plantations).
New Zealand became a dominion in 1907, but it did not formally become a fully independent state until 1947. After the First World War, the first political organizations began to emerge (“May” in Western Samoa, “Fiji Youth” in Fiji), which fought for the independence of the colonies. During World War II, Oceania was one of the theaters of war where many battles took place (mainly between Japanese and American forces).
After the war, there were some economic improvements in the region, but in most colonies it was lopsided (the predominance of the plantation economy and the almost complete absence of industry). Since the 1960s, the process of decolonization began: Western Samoa gained independence in 1962, West Irian in 1963, and Nauru in 1968. Subsequently, most of the colonies became independent.
Post-colonial period
After gaining independence, most countries in Oceania still have serious economic, political and social problems, which they are trying to solve with the help of the world community (including the UN) and through regional cooperation. Despite the process of decolonization in the 20th century, some islands in the region still remain dependent to one degree or another: New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna from France, the Pitcairn Islands from Great Britain, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau from New Zealand, a number islands (all minor outer islands except Navassa Island) from the United States.
Economy
Most countries in Oceania have a very weak economy, which is due to several reasons: limited natural resources, remoteness from world markets for products, and a shortage of highly qualified specialists. Many states depend on financial assistance other countries.
The basis of the economy of most countries in Oceania is agriculture (copra and palm oil production) and fishing. Among the most important agricultural crops are the coconut palm, bananas, and breadfruit. Possessing huge exclusive economic zones and not having a large fishing fleet, the governments of the countries of Oceania issue licenses for the right to catch fish to ships of other countries (mainly Japan, Taiwan, the USA), which significantly replenishes the state budget. The mining industry is most developed in Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. 
A significant part of the population is employed in the public sector. Recently, measures have been taken to develop the tourism sector of the economy.
Culture
The art of Oceania has developed a distinctive style that makes the local culture unique.
In the visual arts of the Polynesians, the main place belongs to wood carving and sculpture. Among the Maori, carving reached a high level; they decorated boats, parts of houses, carved statues of gods and ancestors; such a statue stands in every village. The main motif of the ornament is a spiral. Stone moai statues were created on Easter Island and the Marquesas Islands. Of the crafts, the most important was the construction of boats, as they made it possible to engage in fishing and travel over long distances (in connection with this, astronomy developed among the Polynesians). Tattooing is widespread among Polynesians. The clothing used was tapa, which was made from the bark of trees of the mulberry family. Myths, legends, fairy tales, singing and dancing were developed in Polynesia. Writing was probably only on Easter Island (rongo-rongo); on other islands folklore was transmitted orally.
Singing and dancing are popular forms of art among Micronesians. Each tribe has its own myths. In the life of the islanders, the main place was occupied by ships - boats. There were boats different types: dibenil - sailing boat, valab - large rowing boat. Megaliths are found on the Yap Islands. Of particular interest is Nan Madol, known as the “Venice of Micronesia.” This is a whole city on the water, in a lagoon on the island of Ponape. Stone structures were built on artificial islands.
Wood carving reached a special peak among the Melanesians. Unlike the Polynesians, the Melanesians were not so tied to the sea, they were more land dwellers. Basic musical instrument- drum, or tom-tom. The Papuans have widespread folklore, songs, dances, and myths. The songs and dances are very simple. The singing is called mun, the melody varies very little. The cult of ancestors and skulls is important. Papuans make korvars - images of ancestors. Wood carving is well developed.
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Oceania is the name of a region of the world consisting of island groups in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. It covers more than 8.5 million km². Some of the countries that make up Oceania include Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Nauru. Oceania also includes several dependent territories such as American Samoa, Johnston and French Polynesia.
Physical geography of Oceania
From point of view physical geography, the islands of Oceania are often divided into four different subregions based on geological processes, which played an important role in their physical development. The first one is. It stands out due to its location in the middle of the Indo-Australian plate, and the lack of mountain building during its development. Instead, current physical features Australia's landscapes were formed mainly through erosion.
The second region of Oceania consists of islands located at the boundaries of the collision between the plates of the earth's crust. They are located in the South Pacific Ocean. For example, on the collision line between the Indo-Australian and Pacific plates, and includes places such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The North Pacific Ocean also has similar types of landscapes along the boundary of the Eurasian and Pacific plates. Colliding tectonic plates are responsible for the formation of mountains, such as those in New Zealand, that rise more than 3,000 m above sea level.
Volcanic islands such as Fiji are the third category of landscape type found in Oceania. These islands typically rise from the sea floor in hot spots in the Pacific Ocean basin. Most of these areas consist of very small islands with high mountain ranges.
Finally, island coral reefs and atolls such as Tuvalu are the final type of landscape in Oceania. Atolls are specifically responsible for the formation of low-lying land areas, some with enclosed lagoons.
Oceania Climate
Climate map of Oceania according to Köppen
Most of Oceania is divided into two climatic zones: temperate and. Most of Australia and all of New Zealand are in the temperate zone, while most of the Pacific islands are considered tropical. Temperate regions of Oceania have high levels precipitation, cold winter and warm to hot summers. The tropical regions of Oceania are hot and humid all year round.
In addition to these climatic zones, most countries in Oceania are subject to continuous trade winds and sometimes hurricanes (called tropical cyclones), which have historically caused catastrophic damage to the countries and islands of the region.
Flora and fauna of Oceania
Because most of Oceania lies in the tropical or temperate climate zone, abundant rainfall helps support the growth of tropical and temperate rainforests throughout the region. Wet rainforests common in some island countries near the tropics, while temperate rainforests are found in New Zealand. Both types of forest support a variety of animal and plant species, making Oceania one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.
It is important to note that not all areas of Oceania receive high rainfall and some parts of the region are arid or semi-arid. Australia, for example, has large areas of dry land that support little diversity of flora. In addition, El Niño has caused frequent droughts in recent decades in Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The fauna of Oceania, like its flora, is also extremely beautiful. Because much of the region is made up of islands, unique species of birds, animals and insects have evolved in complete isolation. The presence of coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kingman Reef also provide areas of high concentration of flora and fauna, and are considered biodiversity hotspots.
Population of Oceania
Oceania has a population of about 40 million, with the bulk of the people (about 30 million) living in Australia and New Zealand, while Papua New Guinea has a population of about 8 million. The remainder of Oceania's population is scattered across the various islands that make up the region.
Like population distribution, urbanization and industrialization are also unevenly distributed across Oceania. About 89% of the region's urban areas are in Australia and New Zealand, and these countries also have the most well-developed infrastructure. Australia, in particular, has reserves of many minerals and energy feedstocks, and generates much of the region's economy. The rest of Oceania and, in particular, the Pacific island states are very underdeveloped. Some islands are rich, but most are not. In addition, some of the island states are experiencing shortages of clean drinking water or food.
Agriculture is also important in Oceania and there are three types that are common in the region. These include subsistence agriculture, plantation crops and capital-intensive agriculture. Subsistence farming occurs on most Pacific Islands and is carried out to support local communities. Cassava, taro, yams and sweet potatoes are the most common products of this type of agriculture. Plantation crops are planted in the middle tropical islands, while capital-intensive agriculture is practiced only in Australia and New Zealand.
And finally, fishing and tourism are important sectors of the Oceanian economy and a driver of its development. Fisheries serves important source income because many islands have maritime exclusive economic zones that extend over 370 km. Tourism is also important to Oceania, as tropical islands such as Fiji offer aesthetic beauty, while Australia and New Zealand offer developed cities with modern infrastructure. New Zealand has also become an important tourism region in the field.
Oceania countries
Map of Oceania countries/Wikipedia
Below is a list of the 14 independent countries of Oceania, ranked from largest to smallest country by area:
1) Australia:
- Area: 7,617,930 km²
- Population: about 25,000,000 people
- Capital: Canberra
2) Papua New Guinea:
- Area: 462,840 km²
- Population: more than 8,000,000 people
- Capital: Port Moresby
3) New Zealand:
- Area: 268,680 km²
- Population: about 5,000,000 people
- Capital: Wellington
4) Solomon Islands:
- Area: 28,450 km²
- Population: about 600,000 people
- Capitals: Honiara
5) Fiji:
- Area: 18,274 km²
- Population: about 900,000 people
- Capital: Suva
6) Vanuatu:
- Area: 12,189 km²
- Population: about 270,000 people
- Capital: Port Vila
7) Samoa:
- Area: 2842 km²
- Population: about 193,000 people
- Capital: Apia
8) Kiribati:
- Area: 811 km²
- Population: about 110,000 people
- Capital: Tarawa
9) Tonga:
- Area: 748 km²
- Population: about 107,000 people
- Capitals: Nuku'alofa
10) Federated States of Micronesia:
- Area: 702 km²
- Population: about 105,000 people
- Capital: Palikir
11) Palau:
- Area: 459 km²
- Population: about 21,000 people
- Capital: Melekeok
12) Marshall Islands:
- Area: 181 km²
- Population: about 53,000 people
- Capital: Majuro
13) Tuvalu:
- Area: 26 km²
- Capital: Funafuti
14) Nauru:
- Area: 21 km²
- Population: about 11,000 people
- Capital: No
Australia and Oceania on the hemisphere map
Australia and Oceania on the world map
Oceania- the collective name for a vast collection of islands and atolls in the central and western parts of the Pacific Ocean. The boundaries of Oceania are arbitrary. The western border is considered to be the island, the eastern -. As a rule, Australia and the islands and archipelagos of Southeast Asia are not included in Oceania. Far East and North America. In the section of geography, regional studies, Oceania is studied by an independent discipline - oceanography.
Geographical position
Physical map of Australia and Oceania (English)
Regions of Australia and Oceania
Political map of Australia and Oceania
Oceania is the world's largest collection of islands, located in the southwestern and central parts of the Pacific Ocean, between the subtropical latitudes of the Northern and temperate Southern hemispheres. When dividing the entire landmass into parts of the world, Oceania is usually united with Australia into a single part of the world, Australia and Oceania, although sometimes it is separated into an independent part of the world.
Geographically, Oceania is divided into several regions: (in the northwest), (in the west), and (in the east); sometimes isolated.
The total area of the islands of Oceania, the largest of which is, 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). Excluding Australia, Oceania total area and in terms of total population is comparable to an African state.
The islands of Oceania are washed by numerous seas of the Pacific (Coral Sea, Tasman Sea, Fiji Sea, Koro Sea, Solomon Sea, New Guinea Sea, Philippine Sea) and Indian Oceans (Arafura Sea).
Oceania is crossed by the equator and the international date line. It is a broken line, most of which runs along the 180° meridian.
Sea currents
The warm Northern Trade Wind and Southern Trade Wind Currents and the Inter-Trade Wind Countercurrent pass through all of Oceania, along the equator. The warm East Australian Current passes through the southwestern part of Oceania. Characteristic of Oceania is the absence of cold sea currents(with the exception of the Pacific Ocean southeast of New Zealand), which largely determines the climate of this region.
Independent states
| Name of region, countries and country flag |
Square (km²) |
Population (est. July 1, 2002) |
Population density (persons/km²) |
Capital | Currency unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 7 692 024 | 21 050 000 | 2,5 | Australian dollar (AUD) | |
| 12 190 | 196 178 | 16,1 | cotton wool (VUV) | ||
| 462 840 | 5 172 033 | 11,2 | kina (PGK) | ||
| 28 450 | 494 786 | 17,4 | Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) | ||
| 18 274 | 856 346 | 46,9 | Fijian dollar (FJD) | ||
| 811 | 96 335 | 118,8 | Australian dollar (AUD) | ||
| 21 | 12 329 | 587,1 | No | Australian dollar (AUD) | |
| 268 680 | 4 108 037 | 14,5 | New Zealand dollar (NZD) | ||
| 2 935 | 178 631 | 60,7 | tala (WST) | ||
| 748 | 106 137 | 141,9 | pa'anga (TOP) | ||
| 26 | 11 146 | 428,7 | Funafuti | Australian dollar (AUD) |
Dependent territories and trustee territories
| Name of region, country and country flag |
Square (km²) |
Population (est. July 1, 2002) |
Population density (persons/km²) |
Administrative center | Currency unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | |||||
| (Australia) | 5 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Coral Sea Islands (Australia) | 7 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| Norfolk (Australia) | 35 | 1 866 | 53,3 | Kingston | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Western New Guinea ( ) | 424 500 | 2 646 489 | 6 | , | Indonesian rupiah (IDR) |
| () | 18 575 | 207 858 | 10,9 | ||
| () | 541 | 160 796 | 292,9 | US dollar (USD) | |
| 181 | 73 630 | 406,8 | US dollar (USD) | ||
| 458 | 19 409 | 42,4 | US dollar (USD) | ||
| Northern Mariana Islands () | 463,63 | 77 311 | 162,1 | Saipan | US dollar (USD) |
| Wake() | 7,4 | - | - | - | |
| 702 | 135 869 | 193,5 | US dollar (USD) | ||
| () | 199 | 68 688 | 345,2 | , Fagatogo | US dollar (USD) |
| Baker() | 1,24 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| () | 28 311 | 1 211 537 | 72,83 | US dollar (USD) | |
| Jarvis() | 4,45 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| () | 2,52 | - | - | - | |
| Kingman() | 0,01 | uninhabited | - | - | |
| () | 6,23 | - | - | - | |
| () | 261,46 | 2 134 | 8,2 | New Zealand dollar (NZD) | |
| () | 236,7 | 20 811 | 86,7 | New Zealand dollar (NZD) | |
| Palmyra () | 6,56 | - | - | - | |
| Isla de Pascua () | 163,6 | 3791 | 23,1 | Hanga Roa | Chilean Peso (CLP) |
| () | 47 | 67 | 1,4 | Adamstown | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
| () | 10 | 1 431 | 143,1 | - | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
| () | 274 | 15 585 | 56,9 | French Pacific franc (XPF) | |
| French polynesia () | 4 167 | 257 847 | 61,9 | French Pacific franc (XPF) | |
| () | 1,62 | uninhabited | - | - | |
Geology
Mount Jaya in Western New Guinea (Indonesia) is the highest point in Oceania
From a geological point of view, Oceania is not a continent: only Australia, and is of continental origin, having formed on the site of the hypothetical continent of Gondwana. In the past, these islands were a single landmass, but as a result of rising sea levels, a significant part of the surface was under water. The relief of these islands is mountainous and highly dissected. For example, the highest mountains of Oceania, including Mount Jaya (5029 m), are located on the island.
Most of the islands of Oceania are of volcanic origin: some of them are the tops of large underwater volcanoes, some of which still exhibit high volcanic activity (for example, the Hawaiian Islands).
Other islands originate as atolls, which were formed as a result of the formation of coral structures around submerged volcanoes (for example, the Gilbert Islands, Tuamotu). A distinctive feature of such islands are large lagoons, which are surrounded by numerous islets, or motu, 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 Marshall Islands archipelago. Although its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 sq. miles), its lagoon area is 2,174 km² (or 839.3 sq. miles). The largest atoll by land area is Christmas Island (or Kiritimati) in the Line Archipelago (or Central Polynesian Sporades) - 322 km². However, among atolls there is also a special type - a raised (or elevated) atoll, which is a limestone plateau up to 50-60 m high above sea level. This type of island does not have a lagoon or there are traces of its past existence. Examples of such atolls are Banaba.
The relief and geological structure of the Pacific Ocean floor in the Oceania region has a complex structure. From the peninsula (part of) to New Zealand there are a large number of basins of marginal seas, deep ocean trenches (Tonga, Kermadec, Bougainville), which form a geosynclinal belt characterized by active volcanism, seismicity and contrasting topography.
On most of the islands of Oceania there are no mineral resources, only the largest of them are being developed: nickel (), oil and gas (island), copper (Bougainville island), gold (New Guinea), phosphates (on most islands there are almost or have already been developed, for example, in, on the islands of Banaba, Makatea). In the past, many islands in the region were heavily mined for decomposed seabird droppings, which were used as nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. On the ocean floor of the exclusive economic zone of a number of countries there are large accumulations of iron-manganese nodules, as well as cobalt, but at the moment no development is being carried out due to economic inexpediency.
Climate
Satellite image of Kwajalein Atoll
Coast of Caroline Atoll (Line Islands, Kiribati)
Oceania is located within several climatic zones: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate. Most of the islands have a tropical climate. Subequatorial climate prevails on the islands near Australia and Asia, as well as east of the 180th meridian in the equator zone, equatorial - west of the 180th meridian, subtropical - north and south of the tropics, temperate - on most of the South Island in New Zealand.
The climate of the islands of Oceania is determined mainly by trade winds, so most of them receive heavy rainfall. Average annual rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 mm, although some islands (particularly due to topography and downwind areas) may have drier or wetter climates. Oceania is home to one of the wettest places on the planet: on the eastern slope of Mount Waialeale on the island of Kauai, up to 11,430 mm of precipitation falls annually (the absolute maximum was reached in 1982: then 16,916 mm fell). Near the tropics the average temperature is about 23 °C, near the equator - 27 °C, with little difference between the hottest and coldest months.
The climate of the Oceanian islands is also greatly influenced by such anomalies as the El Niño and La Niña currents. During El Niño, the intertropical convergence zone moves north toward the equator; during La Niña, it moves south away from the equator. In the latter case, the islands experience severe drought, while in the former, heavy rains occur.
Most of the islands of Oceania are subject to the destructive effects of natural disasters: volcanic eruptions (Hawaiian Islands, New Hebrides), earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones accompanied by typhoons and heavy rains, droughts. Many of them lead to significant material and human losses. For example, the July 1999 tsunami killed 2,200 people.
There are glaciers on the South Island of New Zealand and on the island high in the mountains, but due to global warming, their area is gradually decreasing.
Soils and hydrology
Stream on Efate Island (Vanuatu)
Due to different climatic conditions, Oceania's soils are very diverse. The soils of the atolls are highly alkaline, of coral origin, and very poor. They are usually porous, which is why they retain moisture very poorly, and also contain very little organic and mineral substances with the exception of calcium, sodium and magnesium. The soils of volcanic islands are usually of volcanic origin and are characterized by high fertility. On large mountainous islands there are red-yellow, mountain lateritic, mountain-meadow, yellow-brown soils, yellow soils, and red soils.
There are large rivers only on the South and North Islands of New Zealand, as well as on the island on which the largest rivers in Oceania, the Sepik (1126 km) and Fly (1050 km), are located. The largest river in New Zealand is the Waikato (425 km). The rivers are fed primarily by rain, although in New Zealand and New Guinea the rivers are also fed by water from melting glaciers and snow. On atolls there are no rivers at all due to the high porosity of the soil. Instead, rainwater percolates through the soil to form a lens of slightly brackish water that can be reached by digging a well. On larger islands (usually of volcanic origin) there are small streams of water that flow towards the ocean.
The largest number of lakes, including thermal ones, are located in New Zealand, where there are also geysers. On other islands of Oceania, lakes are a rarity.
Flora and fauna
Kiwi - the symbol of New Zealand
Oceania is included in the Paleotropical region of vegetation, with three subregions distinguished: Melanesian-Micronesian, Hawaiian and New Zealand. Among the most widespread plants in Oceania are the coconut palm and the breadfruit tree, which play an important role in the lives of local residents: the fruits are used for food, the wood is a source of heat, a building material, and copra is produced from the oily endosperm of coconut palm nuts, which forms the basis of exports to the countries of this region. A large number of epiphytes (ferns, orchids) also grow on the islands. The largest number of endemics (both flora and fauna) are recorded in New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, while from west to east there is a decrease in the number of species, genera and families of plants.
The fauna of Oceania belongs to the Polynesian faunal region with a subregion of the Hawaiian Islands. The fauna of New Zealand is allocated to an independent region, New Guinea - to the Papuan subregion of the Australian region. New Zealand and New Guinea are the most diverse. On the small islands of Oceania, primarily atolls, mammals are almost never found: many of them are inhabited only by the small rat. But the local avifauna is very rich. Most atolls have bird colonies where seabirds nest. Of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country. Other endemics of the country are kea (lat. Nestor notabilis, or nestor), kakapo (lat. Strigops habroptilus, or owl parrot), takahe (lat. Notoronis hochstelteri, or wingless sultana). All the islands of Oceania are home to a large number of lizards, snakes and insects.
During the European colonization of the islands, alien species of plants and animals were introduced to many of them, which negatively affected the local flora and fauna.
The region contains a large number of protected areas, many of which occupy large areas. For example, the Phoenix Islands in the Republic of Kiribati have been the world's largest marine reserve since January 28, 2008 (area 410,500 km²).
Story
Pre-colonial period
Island and nearby islands Names of Russians on the map of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Source:.
Letter from N. N. Miklouho-Maclay to the Head of the detachment of ships in Pacific Ocean with a proposal to acquire areas on the Pacific Islands suitable for coal storage, March 30, 1873.
IN Russian Empire After W. Bering discovered the northwestern coast of America in 1741, merchant companies, with the support of the Siberian administration, organized about 90 fishing expeditions to the Pacific Ocean until the end of the 18th century. The state established the Russian-American Company (1799-1867), which dealt with administrative issues and trade in Alaska and the Pacific Ocean. In May 1804, two ships “Nadezhda” and “Neva” approached the Hawaiian Islands. These were the first Russian ships to circumnavigate the world. In the heart of the tropical Pacific Ocean there are atolls and islands of Rossiyan, Suvorov, Kutuzov, Lisyansky, Bellingshausen, Barclay de Tolly, Krusenstern Reef and many others. Another distinctive aspect of all the travels that took place is the mutual friendliness in the history of meetings between Russians and the peoples of the Pacific Ocean.
Nikolai Nikolaevich Miklouho-Maclay's map of Russia's supposed territorial acquisitions in the Pacific Ocean, submitted in a letter Alexander III, December 1883.
A letter to the Main Naval Headquarters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding N. N. Miklouho-Maclay’s proposal on Russian acquisitions in the Pacific Ocean with a resolution “... to consider this matter finally over. Refuse Miklouho-Maclay,” December 1886.
As the first European to settle on the shores of Astrolabe Bay in New Guinea and explore this area, N. N. Miklouho Maclay repeatedly made a proposal to peacefully occupy or take under the protection of Russia a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Russian scientist sent letters to the Naval Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and personally to Emperor Alexander III.
Colonial period
The ships of the English explorer James Cook and the canoes of the natives in Matavai Bay on the island of Tahiti (French Polynesia), artist William Hodges, 1776
In the period from the 16th to the 18th centuries, the period of study of Oceania by Europeans continued, who gradually began to populate the islands. However, the process of European colonization proceeded very slowly, since the region did not arouse much interest among foreigners due to the lack of natural resources, and had a negative impact on the local population: many diseases were introduced that had never existed in Oceania, and this led to epidemics, in as a result of which a significant part of the natives died. At the same time, there was a Christianization of the inhabitants, who worshiped numerous deities and spirits.
In the 18th-19th centuries, the islands of Oceania were divided between colonial powers, primarily the British Empire, and (later the German Empire joined them). Of particular interest to Europeans was the possibility of creating plantations on the islands (coconut palms for the production of copra, sugar cane), as well as the slave trade (the so-called "Blackbird Hunt", which involved recruiting islanders to work on plantations).
In 1907 it became a dominion, but formally it became a completely independent state only in 1947. After the First World War, the first political organizations began to emerge (“May” in Western Samoa, “Fiji Youth” in Fiji), which fought for the independence of the colonies. During World War II, Oceania was one of the theaters of war where many battles took place (mainly between Japanese and American forces).
After the war, there were some economic improvements in the region, but in most colonies it was lopsided (the predominance of the plantation economy and the almost complete absence of industry). Since the 1960s, the process of decolonization began: in 1962, West Irian gained independence, in 1963, and in 1968. Subsequently, most of the colonies became independent.
Post-colonial period
After gaining independence, the bulk of the countries of Oceania retained serious economic, political and social problems, the solution of which is carried out with the participation of international organizations(including the UN) and within the framework of regional cooperation. Despite the process of decolonization in the 20th century, some islands still remain dependent to one degree or another: New Caledonia Portrait of a representative of the indigenous people of New Zealand - Maori
The indigenous inhabitants of Oceania are Polynesians, Micronesians, Melanesians and Papuans.
Polynesians living in the countries of Polynesia have a mixed racial type, combining features of the Australoid and Mongoloid races. The largest peoples of Polynesia are Hawaiians, Samoans, Tahitians, Tongans, Maoris, Marquesans, Rapanui and others. Native languages belong to the Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian family of languages: Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, Maori, Marquesan, Rapanui and others. Characteristic features of Polynesian languages are a small number of sounds, especially consonants, and an abundance of vowels.
Micronesians live in the countries of Micronesia. The largest peoples are Carolinians, Kiribatis, Marshallese, Nauru, Chamorros and others. The native languages belong to the Micronesian group of the Austronesian family of languages: Kiribati, Carolinian, Kusaie, Marshallese, Nauruan and others. The Palauan and Chamorro languages belong to the West Malayo-Polynesian languages, and Yapese forms a separate branch of the Oceanian languages, which also includes the Micronesian languages.
Melanesians live in the countries of Melanesia. Racial type - Australoid, with a small Mongoloid element, close to the Papuans of New Guinea. Melanesians speak Melanesian languages, but their languages, unlike Micronesian and Polynesian, do not form a separate genetic group, and the linguistic fragmentation is very great, so that people from neighboring villages may not understand each other.
Papuans inhabit the island and some areas. In terms of anthropological type, they are close to the Melanesians, but differ from them in language. Not all Papuan languages are related to each other. The national language of the Papuans in Papua New Guinea is the English-based Tok Pisin creole language. According to various sources of peoples and languages, the Papuans number from 300 to 800. However, there are difficulties in establishing the difference between an individual language and a dialect.
Many languages of Oceania are on the verge of extinction. In everyday life they are increasingly being replaced by English and French.
The situation 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 up to 15% of the country's population. The share of Polynesians in Micronesia is about 21.3%. The majority of the population is made up of numerous Papuan peoples, although there is also a high proportion of people from other islands in the region.
In New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, the majority of the population is European, whose share is also high in (34%) and in French Polynesia (12%). On the islands, 38.2% of the population is represented by Indo-Fijians, descendants of Indian contract workers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century.
Recently, in the countries of Oceania, the proportion of immigrants from (mainly Chinese and Filipinos) has been increasing. For example, in the Northern Mariana Islands, the share of Filipinos is 26.2%, and the Chinese are 22.1%.
The population of Oceania mainly professes Christianity, adhering to either the Protestant or Catholic branches.
Economy
Economy of Oceania. Donation and economic unions.