Is Australia

Unit
Fur seal on
the beach,
Antarctica
Boy selling
fish, Samoa
734
Australia,
Oceania,
and Antarctica
ustralia, Oceania, and
Antarctica are grouped
together more because of
their nearness to one another
than because of any similarities among their peoples.
These lands lie mostly in
the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia is a dry continent
that is home to unusual
wildlife. Oceania’s 25,000
tropical islands spread out
across the Pacific Ocean.
Frozen Antarctica encompasses
the South Pole.
A
Lone tree in the outback,
Australia
NGS ONLINE
www.nationalgeographic.com/education
735
REGIONAL ATLAS
Focus on:
Australia, Oceania,
and Antarctica
LYING ALMOST ENTIRELY in the Southern Hemisphere,
this region includes two continents and thousands of islands
scattered across the Pacific Ocean. Covering a huge portion
of the globe, the region includes landscapes ranging from
polar to tropical.
The Land
Both a continent and a single country,
Australia is a vast expanse of mostly flat land.
The Great Dividing Range runs down the continent’s eastern edge. Between this range of
mountains and the Pacific Ocean lies a narrow
strip of coastal land. West of the Great
Dividing Range lies Australia’s large—and very
dry—interior. Here in the Australian “outback”
are seemingly endless miles of scrubland, as
well as three huge deserts.
Across the Tasman Sea from Australia lies
New Zealand, made up of two main islands—
North Island and South Island—and many
smaller ones. Mountains and hills dominate
the landscape.
North and east of New Zealand is Oceania.
Its roughly 25,000 islands lie scattered across
the Pacific Ocean on either side of the Equator.
Some of these islands are volcanic. Others are
huge formations of rock that have risen from
the ocean floor. Still others are low-lying coral
islands surrounded by reefs.
736
Antarctica, the frozen continent, covers
and surrounds the South Pole. It is almost
completely buried under an enormous sheet
of ice.
The Climate
Australia is one of the driest continents in
the world. Its eastern coast does receive rainfall
from the Pacific Ocean. Mountains block this
moisture from reaching inland areas, however.
Much of Australia’s outback has a desert climate.
No place in New Zealand is more than 80
miles (129 km) from the sea. This country has
only one climate region: marine west coast. It
has mild temperatures and plentiful rainfall
throughout the year.
The islands of Oceania have mostly tropical
climates, with warm temperatures and distinct
wet and dry seasons. Rain forests cover many of
the islands.
Antarctica is one of the coldest and windiest
places on the earth, as well as one of the driest.
It receives so little precipitation that it is considered a desert—the world’s largest cold desert.
UNIT 9
UNIT
Sheep grazing near Mount
Egmont, New Zealand
▼
Emperor penguins examining
the ice, Antarctica
737
REGIONAL ATLAS
The Economy
Mines dot the Australian landscape. Its
ancient rocks and soils are rich in minerals such
as uranium, bauxite, iron ore, copper, nickel, and
gold. Little of Australia’s land is good for growing
crops. Instead, vast cattle and sheep ranches—or
stations, as the Australians call them—spread
across much of the country. Sheep far outnumber people in New Zealand, where pastures are
lush and green almost year-round. New Zealand
is one of the world’s leading producers of lamb
and wool.
The people of Oceania depend primarily on
fishing and farming. Across much of Oceania,
the soil and climate are not favorable for widespread agriculture, and islanders generally raise
only enough food for themselves. Yet some
larger islands have rich volcanic soil. In such
places, cash crops of fruits, sugar, coffee, and
coconut products are grown for export.
Antarctica is believed to be rich in mineral
resources. To preserve Antarctica for research
and exploration, however, many nations have
agreed not to mine this mineral wealth.
The People
The first settlers in this region probably came
from Asia thousands of years ago. Australia’s first
inhabitants, the ancestors of today’s Aborigines,
may have arrived as long as 40,000 years ago.
Not until about A.D. 1000, however, did seafaring
peoples reach the farthest islands of Oceania.
The British colonized Australia and New
Zealand in the 1700s and 1800s. These two
countries gained their independence in the
early 1900s. Many South Pacific islands were not
freed from colonial rule until after World War II.
Today Australia and Oceania are a blend of
European, traditional Pacific, and Asian cultures.
Despite its vast size, this is the least populous of all the world’s regions. It is home to
only about 30 million people. More than half
of these live in Australia, where they are found
mostly in coastal cities such as Sydney and
Melbourne. Roughly 4 million people live in
New Zealand, which also has large urban
populations along its coasts. Oceania is less
urbanized. Antarctica has no permanent human
inhabitants at all. Groups of scientists live and
work on the frozen continent for brief periods
to carry out their research.
Region
Exploring the
1. Which two continents lie in this
region?
2. Why is Antarctica considered
a desert?
3. Why is so little of Australia’s land
good for farming?
4. Where do most of the region’s
people live?
▼
Girl selling fruit, French Polynesia
UNIT 9
UNIT
The city of Melbourne, along the
southeastern coast of Australia
739
REGIONAL ATLAS
Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Physical
130°E
140°E
150°E
160°E
170°E
180°
30°N
CHINA
PACIFIC
TROPIC OF CANCER
20°N
A
130°W
OCEAN
N
E
W
S
E
S
I
EQUATOR
A
N
N
New
Guinea
140°W
Y
L
150°W
L
0°
E
N
160°W
O
M
O
170°W
P
M I
C R
10°N
INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
120°E
E
E
S
10°S
I
40°S
INDIAN
OCEAN
S
A
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
in g Range
ivid
Da
North
Mt. Kosciuszko
NEW Island
7,310 ft.
ZEALAND
Southern
(2,228 m)
Alps
Mt. Cook
Tasmania
Tasman 12,316 ft.
(3,754 m)
Sea
South
Island
tD
Great
Australian
Bight
Murray R.
I
Fiji
Islands
New
Caledonia
f
Gibson
Great Artesian
Desert AUSTRALIA Basin
R.
Great Victoria
ng
Lake
Desert
r li
Eyre
A
Coral
Sea
Macdonnell
Ranges
20°S
30°S
t ee
ea R
G rr i e r
r
Ba
Great Sandy
Desert
a
G re
40
100°E
nd
°S
80
La
s
°S
12
0°E
E
0°
60
°S
ke
70
il
W
14
°E
Ellsworth
Land
160
0 km
1,000
Lambert Azimuthal
Equal-Area projection
1,000
S.
0°W
12
0 mi.
180°
4,000 m
2,000 m
EAST
ANTARCTICA
MT
740
6,000 m
WEST
ANTARCTICA
T
AR
ar
ie
B
L a yrd
nd
ROSS ICE
SHELF
PACIFIC
OCEAN
IC
GREAT
ARTESIAN
GIBSON
BASIN
DESERT
MACDONNELL
INDIAN
RANGES
6,562 ft. OCEAN
CORAL
SEA
Sea level
13,123 ft.
100°W
160
°W
500
8,000 m
CT
0 km
500
M
19,685 ft.
0 mi.
South
Pole
AN
26,247 ft.
°E
60
Enderby
Land
80°E
NS
m Australia
INDIAN
OCEAN
I
Vinson Massif
16,067 ft.
(4,897 m)
ANTARCTIC
PENINSULA
80°W
Ma
Queen ud Land
TRA
ANTARCTICA
CT
LE
RC
CI
ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
AN
TA
R
C
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
60
°W
RONNE ICE
SHELF
0 km
1,500
Miller Cylindrical projection
Mountain peak
W
°W
60°S
1,500
2 0 °E
20°
40
0 mi.
0°
°E
50°S
UNIT
Political
140°E
160°E
180°
30°N
CHINA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
TROPIC OF CANCER
20°N
NORTHERN
MARIANA IS.
U.S.
PHILIPPINES
GUAM
U.S.
10°N
Koror
PALAU
Palikir
MARSHALL
ISLANDS
Majuro
FEDERATED STATES
OF MICRONESIA
0°
INDONESIA
PAPUA
NEW GUINEA
Port
Moresby
10°S
20°S
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
A U S T R A L I A
160°W
INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
120°E
140°W
HAWAII
U.S.
N
W
E
S
Tarawa
EQUATOR
Yaren
NAURU
KIRIBATI
SAMOA
Funafuti
TOKELAU N.Z.
Honiara
TUVALU
SOLOMON
ISLANDS WALLIS AND Apia AMERICAN
SAMOA
VANUATU FUTUNA Fr.
U.S. COOK
Suva
Port-Vila
ISLANDS
N.Z.
Coral NEW
TONGA
FIJI
Sea CALEDONIA
Fr.
ISLANDS
NIUE N.Z.
Nuku‘alofa
FRENCH
POLYNESIA
Fr.
PITCAIRN I.
U.K.
30°S
Canberra
40°S
INDIAN
OCEAN
NEW
ZEALAND
Tasman
Sea
Wellington
BR
IT
AR ISH
GE
CL
A
60
°W
National capital
CT
INDIAN
OCEAN
I
LE
RC
CI
60°S
AN
TA
R
C
ATLANTIC
M
AI
OCEAN CL NE
TI
L AI M
°E
0°
NORWEGIAN C
W
°W
1,500
0 km
Miller Cylindrical projection
40
40
1,500
20°
0 mi.
2 0 °E
50°S
°S
70
N IM
A N T A R C T I C A
100°W
14
FRENCH
CLAIM
E
0°
AUSTRALIAN
CLAIM
°E
Z E A L A N D C L AI M
0 km 500
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection
160
NEW
12
0°E
180°
14
0°
W
500
160
°W
0 mi.
100°E
Unclaimed
PACIFIC
OCEAN
80°E
IA N C L A I M
South
Pole
CHILEAN
CLAIM
0°W
12
TRAL
80°W
1 What body of water separates
Australia from Melanesia?
2 What is the capital of New
Zealand?
°S
MAP STUDY
80
ANTARCTICA
70°S
°E
AUS
ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
60
REGIONAL ATLAS
Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
120°E
Endangered
Environments
130°E
140°E
150°E
160°E
170°E
180°
170°W
160°W
150°W
140°W
130°W
30°N
CHINA
PA C I F I C
OCEAN
TROPIC OF CANCER
HAWAII
20°N
U.S.
NORTHERN
MARIANA IS.
PHILIPPINES
U.S.
MARSHALL
ISLANDS
GUAM
U.S.
10°N
PALAU
Contiguous U.S. and Australia,
Oceania, and Antarctica:
Land Comparison
FEDERATED STATES
OF MICRONESIA
EQUATOR
0°
PAPUA
NEW GUINEA
NAURU
KIRIBATI
SAMOA
TOKELAU N.Z.
INDONESIA
10°S
Coral
Sea
TUVALU
SOLOMON
ISLANDS WALLIS AND
VANUATU FUTUNA Fr.
NEW
CALEDONIA
20°S
Fr.
A U S T R A L I A
AMERICAN
SAMOA
COOK
ISLANDS
FRENCH
POLYNESIA
U.S.
Fr.
N.Z.
TONGA
FIJI
ISLANDS
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
30°S
U.K.
N
0 mi.
1,500
1,500
0 km
Miller Cylindrical projection
S
20°
0°
W
°W
AN
TA
R
INDIAN
OCEAN
CT
I
C
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
°E
Area protected by
the Antarctic Treaty
40
LE
RC
CI
°S
70
60°S
Endangered Marine Environments
Mangroves
Coral Reef Status
High
Medium
Low
Risk
Risk
Risk
E
40
INDIAN
OCEAN
Tasman
Sea
W
2 0 °E
NEW
ZEALAND
40°S
50°S
PITCAIRN I.
NIUE N.Z.
GREAT BARRIER REEF
MARINE PARK
Source: United Nations Environment Program –
World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, U.K.
°E
60
80
ANTARCTICA
0°W
12
0 mi.
100°E
PACIFIC
OCEAN
500
14
E
0°
0 km 500
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection
12
0°E
°E
160
2 What do the penguins symbolize on the map of
Antarctica?
A N T A R C T I C A
100°W
180°
1 What is the risk status of most of Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park?
80°E
South
Pole
160
°W
MAP STUDY
742
80°W
14
0°
W
70°S
°S
ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
UNIT 9
UNIT
Geo Extremes
1 HIGHEST POINT
Vinson Massif (Antarctica)
16,067 ft. (4,897 m) high
2 LOWEST POINT
Bently Subglacial Trench
(Antarctica)
8,366 ft. (2,550 m)
below sea level
4 LARGEST LAKE
Lake Eyre (Australia)
3,600 sq. mi.
(9,324 sq. km)
COMPARING POPULATION:
United States and Selected
Countries of Australia, Oceania,
and Antarctica
UNITED STATES
5 LARGEST HOT DESERT
Great Victoria (Australia)
134,650 sq. mi.
(348,742 sq. km)
AUSTRALIA
3 LONGEST RIVER
Murray-Darling (Australia)
2,310 mi. (3,718 km) long
6 LARGEST COLD DESERT
Antarctica
5,100,000 sq. mi.
(13,209,000 sq. km)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
= 15,000,000
NEW ZEALAND
Source: Population Reference Bureau, 2000.
5
4
POPULATION GROWTH:
Australia, 1958–2008
3
1
2
6
Population (millions)
24
21
20
18.8
16.5
16
14.4
12
12
9.8
8
1958 1968 1978 1988 1998 2008*
GRAPHIC STUDY
1 The largest cold desert in this region is also
the largest desert in the world. What is it?
Year
*projected
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics, 1999.
2 By how much is Australia’s population
expected to have grown between 1958
and 2008?
Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
743
REGIONAL ATLAS
Country Profiles
FIJI ISLANDS
AUSTRALIA
POPULATION:
18,981,000
6 per sq. mi.
2 per sq. km
LANGUAGE:
English
MAJOR EXPORT:
Coal
MAJOR IMPORT:
Machinery
Canberra
CAPITAL:
Canberra
LANDMASS:
2,966,153 sq. mi.
7,682,300 sq. km
ST TES
ED STA
ATED
FEDERAT
of MICRONESIA
POPULATION:
117,000
432 per sq. mi.
167 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
English, Local
Languages
MAJOR EXPORT:
Fish
MAJOR IMPORT:
Foods
Palikir
Majuro
LANGUAGES:
English, Local
Languages
CAPITAL:
MAJOR EXPORT:
Majuro
Coconut Products
LANDMASS:
:
ORT
IMP
JOR
MA
70 sq. mi.
Foods
181 sq. km
LANDMASS:
7,056 sq. mi.
18,274 sq. km
LANDMASS:
271 sq. mi.
702 sq. km
NAURU
POPULATION:
11,000
1,357 per sq. mi.
524 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
Nauruan, English
Yaren
POPULATION:
3,817,000
37 per sq. mi.
14 per sq. km
LANGUAGE:
English
MAJOR EXPORT:
Wool
MAJOR IMPORT:
Machinery
POPULATION:
Tarawa
82,000
296 per sq. mi.
114 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
English, Gilbertese
MAJOR EXPORT:
CAPITA
Coconut Products Tara L:
wa
MAJOR IMPORT:
LANDMASS:
Foods
277 sq. mi.
717 sq. km
PA
ALAU
Wellington
CAPITAL:
Wellington
LANDMASS:
103,883 sq. mi.
269,057 sq. km
CAPITAL:
Yaren
POPULATION:
19,000
101 per sq. mi.
35 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
English, Palauan
MAJOR EXPORT:
Fish
MAJOR IMPORT:
N/A
LANDMASS:
8 sq. mi.
21 sq. km
Koror
CAPITAL:
Koror
LANDMASS:
188 sq. mi.
487 sq. km
SOLOMON
ISLANDS
PA
AP
PU
UA
A
NEW GUINEA
AMOA
SA
Port
Moresby
CAPITAL:
Port Moresby
LANDMASS:
178,260 sq. mi.
461,691 sq. km
CAPITAL:
Suva
NEW ZEALAND
MAJOR EXPORT:
Phosphates
MAJOR IMPORT:
Foods
POPULATION:
4,669,000
26 per sq. mi.
10 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
English, Local
Languages
MAJOR EXPORT:
Gold
MAJOR IMPORT:
Machinery
KIRIBATI
Suva
CAPITAL:
Palikir
MARSHALL
ISLANDS
POPULATION:
62,000
886 per sq. mi.
343 per sq. km
POPULATION:
794,000
113 per sq. mi.
43 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
English, Fijian,
Hindi
MAJOR EXPORT:
Sugar
MAJOR IMPORT:
Machinery
POPULATION:
195,000
178 per sq. mi.
69 per sq. km
Apia
LANGUAGES:
Samoan, English
MAJOR EXPORT:
Coconut Products
MAJOR IMPORT:
Foods
CAPITAL:
Apia
LANDMASS:
1,093 sq. mi.
2,831 sq. km
POPULATION:
430,000
39 per sq. mi.
15 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
English, Local
Languages
MAJOR EXPORT:
Cocoa
MAJOR IMPORT:
Machinery
TO
ONGA
Honiara
CAPITAL:
Honiara
LANDMASS:
10,985 sq. mi.
28,450 sq. km
POPULATION:
109,000
404 per sq. mi.
156 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
Tongan, English
MAJOR EXPORT:
Squash
MAJOR IMPORT:
Foods
Nuku‘alofa
CAPITAL:
Nuku‘alofa
LANDMASS:
270 sq. mi.
699 sq. km
Countries and flags not drawn to scale
744
UNIT 9
UNIT
VANUATU
TUVALU
POPULATION:
12,000
1,200 per sq. mi.
462 per sq. km
LANGUAGES:
Tuvalu, English
MAJOR EXPORT:
Coconut Products
MAJOR IMPORT:
Foods
Funafuti
POPULATION:
186,000
33 per sq. mi.
13 per sq. km
Port-Vila
LANGUAGES:
Bislama, English,
French
MAJOR EXPORT:
CAPITA
Coconut Products Por L:
t-Vila
MAJOR IMPORT:
LANDMASS:
Machinery
5,700 sq. mi.
14,760 sq. km
CAPITAL:
Funafuti
LANDMASS:
10 sq. mi.
26 sq. km
Questions From Buzz Bee!
The following questions are taken from National Geographic
GeoBees. Use your textbook, the Internet, and other library resources
to find the answers.
1 Dried coconut meat is the main export of many South Pacific islands.
What is it called?
2 Ross, Amundsen, and Bellingshausen are names of seas that border
which country?
3 The world’s southernmost city with a metropolitan population greater
than 1 million is located north of the Bass Strait. Name this city.
4 What U.S.-administered islands were named for their location
about halfway between the continents of North America and Asia?
5 A 1991 international agreement prohibits mining on which continent
for at least the next 50 years?
6 If you were swimming off the coast of Australia near Perth,
you would be in what body of water?
7 Which continent receives the least amount of rainfall?
Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
745
Australia
27 and New
Zealand
pter
a
h
C
To learn more about the people and
places of Australia and New Zealand,
view The World and Its People
Chapter 27 video.
Chapter Overview Visit the Geography:
The World and Its People Web site at
gwip.glencoe.com and click on Chapter 27—
Chapter Overviews to preview information
about Australia and New Zealand.
1
Guide to Reading
Main Idea
Both a continent and
a country, Australia
has many natural
resources but few
people.
Signs along Australia’s lonely
outback warn drivers that
they may meet camels,
Terms to Know
• coral reef
• outback
• station
• marsupial
• immigrant
• boomerang
• bush
Places to Locate
• Australia
• Tasmania
• Great Barrier Reef
• Murray River
• Darling River
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Canberra
Reading Strategy
Make a chart like
this one. Then fill in
two facts about
Australia for each
category.
Land
History
Climate
Government
Economy
People
+ Ayers Rock in central Australia
wombats, or kangaroos.
This road stretches for
800 miles (1,287 km)
between Western and
South Australia. With
only 11 rest stops
along the way,
perhaps meeting a
kangaroo would be a
good thing. It might
make the drive seem
less lonely.
I
s Australia a country or a continent? It is both. Australia is the sixthlargest country in the world. Surrounded by water, Australia is too large
to be called an island. So geographers call it a continent.
Australia’s Land and Climate
Australia is sometimes referred to as the Land Down Under
because it is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The Indian Ocean
washes its western and southern shores. The Coral Sea, Pacific Ocean,
and Tasman Sea border the eastern coast. The island of Tasmania, to
the south, is part of Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef lies off Australia’s northeastern coast.
Coral formations have piled up for millions of years to create a colorful chain that stretches 1,250 miles (2,012 km). As you recall, a coral
reef is a structure formed by the skeletons of small sea animals.
Plateaus and lowland plains spread across most of Australia. The
longest and highest mountain range, the Great Dividing Range, runs
along the eastern coast. Mt. Kosciuszko (KAH•zee•UHS•koh), the tallest
mountain in Australia, measures 7,310 feet (2,228 km).
747
Narrow plains run along the south and southeast. These fertile flatlands hold Australia’s best farmland and most of the country’s people.
Two major rivers, the Murray and the Darling, drain this region.
Australia’s vast interior is pastureland. The people of Australia use
the name outback for the inland regions of their country. Dry grasslands and mineral deposits are found here. Mining camps and cattle
and sheep ranches called stations dot this region. Some stations are
huge. One cattle station is almost twice as large as Delaware.
Water is scarce in Australia. In the Great Artesian Basin, however,
water lies in deep, underground pools. Ranchers drill wells and bring
the underground water to the surface for their cattle. Far to the west,
Australia’s land is even drier. Imagine a carpet of sand twice as large as
Alaska, Texas, California, and New Mexico combined. That is about the
size of Australia’s western plateau, which includes the Macdonnell
Ranges and the Hamersley Range. Most people who cross this vast, dry
plateau do so by plane. The region is rich in resources such as gold,
nickel, iron ore, diamonds, and uranium.
Web Activity Visit the
Geography: The
World and Its
People Web site at
gwip.glencoe.com and
click on Chapter 27—
Student Web
Activities to learn
more about the Great
Barrier Reef.
Australia and New Zealand: Political
130°E
120°E
140°E
150°E
160°E
170°E
180°
I N D O N E S I A
10°S
INDIAN
OCEAN
Timor
Sea
National capital
State capital
Major city
Arafura
Sea
0 mi.
Darwin
1,000
0 km
1,000
Miller Cylindrical projection
Coral
Sea
NORTHERN
TERRITORY
20°S
O C E A N I A
QUEENSLAND
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
A U S T R A L I A
Brisbane
R.
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
30°S
Perth
Great Australian
Bight
Adelaide
PACIFIC
OCEAN
ng
r li
Da
NEW SOUTH
WALES
M
ur
ra
y R.
VICTORIA
Sydney
Canberra
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL
Melbourne TERRITORY
Applying Map Skills
40°S
1. What is the capital of
Australia?
2. What sea separates
Australia and New
Zealand?
TASMANIA
INDIAN
OCEAN
Tasman
Sea
N
Hobart
W
Auckland
NEW
ZEALAND
Wellington
Christchurch
E
S
Dunedin
Find NGS online map resources @
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
CHAPTER 27
Desert and steppe climates are found in most of the country.Only the
Great Dividing Range and Tasmania have winter temperatures that fall
below freezing. Because of the country’s location in the Southern
Hemisphere, summer starts in December and winter starts in June.
Unusual Animals About 200 million years ago, the tectonic plate
upon which Australia sits separated from the other continents. As a
result, Australia’s native plants and animals are not found elsewhere in
the world. Two famous Australian animals are kangaroos and koalas.
Both are marsupials, or mammals that carry their young in a pouch.
Turn to page 753 to read about these and other amazing animals.
Where do most of Australia’s people live?
Australia’s Economy
Australia has a strong, prosperous economy. Australia is a treasure
chest overflowing with mineral resources.These riches include iron ore,
zinc, bauxite, gold, silver, opals, diamonds, and pearls. Australia also has
Australia and New Zealand: Physical
130°E
10°S
160°E
OCEANIA
180°
t
Cape
York
Peninsula
Ba
Coral
Sea
rr
ie
r
20°S
Re
Great Sandy
Desert
Great Australian
Bight
rra
Mu y R.
t
Grea
Applying Map Skills
1. What mountain range lies near
Australia’s eastern coast?
2. At what elevation is most of Lake
Eyre?
ge
ng
Ran
r li
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Mountain peak
ng
e
g Rang
Da
Nullarbor Plain
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
idi
rlin
Great
Artesian
Basin R.
Elevations
Feet
Meters
10,000
3,000
5,000
1,500
2,000
600
1,000
300
0
0
40°S
D
Mt. Kosciuszko
7,310 ft.
(2,228 m)
it
Stra
s
Bas
Tasmania
INDIAN
OCEAN
North
Island
iv
Da
Macdonnell
Ranges
Gibson
Desert A U S T R A L I A
Great Victoria Lake
Desert
Eyre
ef
y
Ha m
Ra er s
ng le
e
30°S
170°E
ea
INDIAN
OCEAN
Arafura
Sea
150°E
Gr
Timor
Sea
140°E
Gulf
Carp of
ent
ari
a
120°E
I N D O N E S I A
NEW
ZEALAND
N
W
E
Tasman
Sea
S
0 mi.
0 km
1,000
Miller Cylindrical projection
1,000
Mt. Cook
12,316 ft.
s
(3,754 m) A l p
n
er
South o u t h
Island S
Cook
Strait
Find NGS online map resources @
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
749
energy resources, including coal, oil, and natural gas. Less than 1 percent
of Australia’s people work in the mining industry. Still, mineral and
energy resources make up more than one-third of Australia’s exports.
Australia’s dry climate limits farming. With irrigation, however,
farmers grow grains, sugarcane, cotton, fruits, and vegetables. Grains
and sugar are exported, but most other crops are grown to feed
Australia’s people. The main agricultural activity is raising livestock,
especially cattle and sheep. Australia is the world’s top producer and
exporter of wool. Ranchers also ship beef and cattle hides.
Australia’s factories employ about 10 percent of the country’s
workers. Manufacturing, which is growing in importance, includes
processed foods, transportation equipment, metals, cloth, and chemicals. High-tech industries, service industries, and tourism also play a
large role in the economy. Modern ocean shipping enables Australia to
export goods to very distant markets. More than half goes to Asia. The
United States is also an important destination for exports.
What is Australia’s main agricultural activity?
Australia’s History and People
Despite its huge area, Australia has few people—only 19 million.
Most live in scattered areas along the coast, especially in the east and
southeast. Australia has long needed more skilled workers to develop
its resources and build its economy. The government has encouraged
people from other countries to move here. More than 5 million
Australia and New Zealand: Climate
120°E
130°E
10°S
Timor
Sea
140°E
150°E
170°E
160°E
Arafura
Sea
Darwin
Applying Map Skills
Coral
Sea
1. In what climate zone is
Australia’s capital located?
20°S
2. What type of climate dominates north Australia?
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
AUSTRALIA
Brisbane
Find NGS online map resources @
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
30°S
Perth
Tropical
Tropical rain forest
Tropical savanna
Dry
Steppe
Desert
Mid-Latitude
Marine west coast
Mediterranean
Humid subtropical
Great
Australian
Bight Adelaide
Canberra
Melbourne
Sydney
PACIFIC OCEAN
Auckland
NEW
ZEALAND
40°S
Tasman
Sea
N
W
E
S
INDIAN
OCEAN
0 mi.
Wellington
1,000
0 km
1,000
Miller Cylindrical projection
CHAPTER 27
Music
The digeridoo is the most famous musical instrument from Australia. In its original form, it was made
when a eucalyptus branch fell to the ground and was
hollowed out by termites. Someone playing a digeridoo creates a variety of sounds by making a combination of lip, tongue, and mouth movements. Once you
hear the eerie sounds, it is easy to understand why the
Aborigines considered this instrument sacred and
made it part of their ceremonies.
Looking Closer What other instruments are similar
to the digeridoo?
World Music: A Cultural Legacy
Hear music of this region on Disc 2, Track 28.
immigrants, or people who move from one country to live in
another, have arrived in recent decades.
A small part of Australia’s population are Aborigines
(A•buh•RIHJ•neez). They are the descendants of the first immigrants
who came from Asia about 30,000 to 40,000 years ago. For centuries
the Aborigines moved throughout Australia gathering plants, hunting,
and searching for water. They developed a unique culture. You may
have heard of one of their weapons—the boomerang. This wooden
tool is shaped like a bent bird’s wing. The hunter throws it to stun his
prey. If the boomerang misses, it curves and sails back to the hunter.
In 1770 Captain James Cook reached Australia and claimed it for
Great Britain. At first the British government used Australia as a place
to send prisoners. Then other British people set up colonies, especially
after gold was discovered in the outback in 1851. Land was taken from
the Aborigines, and many of them died of European diseases.
Today about 300,000 Aborigines live in Australia. Growing numbers of them are moving to cities to find jobs. After years of harsh treatment and isolation in the outback, the Aborigines now are demanding
more opportunities. In 1967 the Australian government finally recognized the Aborigines as citizens.
The Government In 1901 the Australian British colonies united to
form the independent Commonwealth of Australia. Today Australia has
a British-style parliamentary democracy. A prime minister is the head
of government. The political party with the most seats in the Australian
parliament, or legislature, chooses the prime minister.
Like the United States, Australia has a federal system of government.
This means that political power is divided between a national government
Australia and New Zealand
751
Dreamtime
Danny Ahmatt and John
Meninga are Aborigines
who live in Australia’s
Northern Territory. They live
modern lives, but they also
have traditional Aborigine
beliefs. “We believe in
Dreamtime,” says Danny.
“This means that our ancestors do not die but instead
become part of nature. This
is why we learn to respect
our environment.”
and state governments. The country has six states and two territories, the
Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
Although independent, Australia for decades accepted the British
king or queen as its ceremonial leader. Australians were largely of
British ancestry and wanted to keep their British heritage. Since the
1960s, Australia has gradually developed its own national character.
Many present-day Australians are not British but have Italian, Greek,
Slavic, or Chinese backgrounds. As Australia’s ties to the United
Kingdom weaken, more and more Australians would like to see their
country become a republic. This would mean replacing the British
monarch with an Australian-born president.
City and Rural Life About 85 percent of Australia’s people live in
cities. Sydney and Melbourne are the largest cities. Sydney gained
the world’s attention as the host city for the 2000 Summer Olympic
Games. Canberra—the national capital—has its own territory, much
like Washington, D.C., in the United States. A government plan located
Canberra inland to draw people into the outback.
About 15 percent of Australians live in rural areas known as the
bush. Many rural people also live and work on the stations that dot
the outback. Some farmers often have to drive several hours on
unpaved roads to reach a distant rural town.
English is the major language, but “Aussies,” as Australians call themselves, have unique words. For example, Australians say “G’Day,” as a
form of hello and cook beef on a “barbie,” or barbeque grill.
What kind of government does Australia have?
1
Assessment
Defining Terms
1. Define coral reef, outback, station, marsupial,
immigrant, boomerang, bush.
Recalling Facts
2. Location Why does Australia have animals not
found on other continents?
3. Economics What are four mineral resources
found in Australia?
4. History Who are the Aborigines?
Critical Thinking
5. Understanding Cause and Effect How
does climate affect agriculture in Australia?
6. Drawing Conclusions How does life in
Australia show that the country was once a
colony of the United Kingdom?
Graphic Organizer
7. Organizing Information Make a time
line like this one with at least four dates in
Australia’s history. Write the dates on one side
of the line and the corresponding event on the
opposite side.
Applying Geography Skills
8. Analyzing Maps Look at the economic activity map on page 755. What are the main manufacturing centers of Australia?
Australia’s Amazing Animals
Australia is home to some fascinating and
unusual animals. In fact, many of Australia’s
animal species are found nowhere else in
the world.
Kangaroos
Ask people what comes to mind when they
think of Australian animals, and they will probably say the kangaroo. Kangaroos are marsupials—
mammals whose young mature inside a pouch on
the mother’s belly. The young kangaroo, called a
joey, stays there for months, eating and growing.
Australia is home to more than 50 species of kangaroo, ranging in size from the 6-foot (2-m) red
kangaroo to the 9-inch (23-cm) musky rat-kangaroo. No matter what their size, all kangaroos have
one thing in common—big hind feet. Kangaroos
bound along at about 20 miles (32 km) per hour.
In a single jump, a kangaroo can hop 10 feet (3 m)
high and cover a distance of 45 feet (14 m).
Koalas
Because of their round face, big black nose,
large fluffy ears, and soft fur, people sometimes
call these animals koala bears. Yet they are not
bears at all. The koala is a marsupial. The female’s
pouch opens at the bottom. Strong muscles keep
the pouch shut and the young koalas, also called
joeys, safe inside. The koala is a fussy eater who
+
feeds only on leaves
of eucalyptus trees.
Although there are
over 600 species of
eucalyptus that
grow in Australia,
h Koala and joey
koalas eat only a few
types. The leaves
also provide the animals with all the moisture they
need. Quiet, calm, and sleepy, koalas spend most of
their time in the trees.
Platypus and Emu
The odd-looking platypus is one of the
world’s few egg-laying mammals. Sometimes
called a duck-billed platypus, the animal has a
soft, sensitive, skin-covered snout. The platypus is
a good swimmer who lives in burrows along the
streams and riverbanks of southern and eastern
Australia. It uses its bill to stir the river bottom in
search of food.
After the ostrich, the Australian emu is the
world’s second-largest bird. Although the emu
cannot fly, its long legs enable it to run at
speeds of up to 30 miles (48 km) per hour.
Another interesting characteristic of the emu is
its nesting behavior. Although the female lays
the eggs, the male emu sits on them until they
are ready to hatch.
Kangaroo and joey
Emu
m
1. What are marsupials?
2. How far can a kangaroo hop in a single jump?
3. Making Comparisons Compare two different
animals that live in Australia. Tell how they are
alike. Tell how they are different.
753
2
Guide to Reading
Main Idea
New Zealand is a
small country with a
growing economy
based on trade.
Terms to Know
• geyser
• manuka
• fjord
• geothermal energy
• hydroelectric
power
Have you ever tasted a ripe green
kiwifruit (KEE•wee•FROOT)? If so,
it might have been grown on a
New Zealand farm like the
one shown here. After all,
New Zealand is one of
the world’s leading
producers of this tasty
fruit. The kiwifruit,
Places to Locate
• New Zealand
• North Island
• South Island
• Cook Strait
• Southern Alps
• Auckland
• Wellington
Reading Strategy
Make a time line like
this one with at least
four dates in New
Zealand’s history.
Write the dates on
one side of the line
and the corresponding event on the
opposite side.
once known as the
Chinese gooseberry, is
now named for the kiwi
bird—New Zealand’s
national symbol.
N
ew Zealand lies in the Pacific Ocean about 1,200 miles (1,931 km)
southeast of its nearest neighbor, Australia. In contrast to Australia’s flat,
dry land, New Zealand is mountainous and very green. Its marine west
coast climate is mild and wet.
New Zealand’s Land
New Zealand is about the size of Colorado. It includes two main
islands—North Island and South Island—as well as many smaller
islands. The Cook Strait separates North Island and South Island.
North Island A large plateau forms the center of North Island. Three
active volcanoes and the inactive Mount Egmont are located here. You
also find geysers, or hot springs that spout hot steam and water
through a crack in the earth.
Small shrubs called manuka grow well in the plateau’s fertile volcanic soil. Fertile lowlands, forested hills, and sandy beaches surround
North Island’s central plateau. On the plateau’s slopes, sheep and cattle
graze. Fruits and vegetables are grown on the coastal lowlands.
754
CHAPTER 27
South Island The Southern Alps run along South Island’s western
coast. Snowcapped Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand,
soars 12,316 feet (3,754 m) here. Glaciers lie on mountain slopes
above green forests and sparkling blue lakes. These glaciers once cut
deep fjords (fee•AWRDS), or steep-sided valleys, into the mountains.
The sea has filled these fjords with crystal-blue waters.
To the east of the Southern Alps stretch the Canterbury Plains.
They form New Zealand’s largest area of flat or nearly flat land.
Farmers grow grains and ranchers raise sheep here.
Plants and Animals New Zealanders take pride in their unique
wildlife. Their national symbol is a flightless bird called the kiwi. Giant
kauri (KOWR•ee) trees once dominated all of North Island. About
100 years ago, European settlers cut down many of these trees, using
the wood to build homes and ships. Today the government protects
kauri trees. One of them is more than 2,000 years old.
Which island of New Zealand has glaciers and fjords?
New Zealand’s Economy
New Zealand has a thriving agricultural economy. Sheep are an
important agricultural resource. New Zealand is the second-leading
wool producer in the world. Lamb meat is another important export.
Apples, barley, wheat, and corn are the main crops.
Australia and New Zealand: Economic Activity
110°E
120°E
130°E
N
140°E
I N D O N E S I A
10°S
Timor
Sea
W
Arafura
Sea
Resources
150°E
S
Coral
Sea
20°S
Sheep
Sheep
Wheat
Cattle
Sheep
A U S T R A L I A
Brisbane
N
N
Applying Map Skills
Natural gas
N
Great Whyalla Sheep
Australian
Adelaide
Bight
Wheat
Melbourne
Geelong
Sydney
1. What resources does New Zealand
have?
Opals
Forest
Petroleum
Gold
Silver
Hydroelectric
power
Tin
2. Where do you think the Aborigines
live in Australia? How can you tell
from this map?
160°E
Chapter Title
Zinc
Auckland
NEW
PACIFIC
OCEAN ZEALAND
0 mi.
Uranium
170°E
Sheep
Wellington
Tasman
Sea
INDIAN
OCEAN
Nickel
Fishing
Iron ore
Sheep
Newcastle
40°S
Find NGS online map resources @
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
Manganese
Copper
N
30°S
Perth
Sheep
Coal
Diamonds
Cattle
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
Lead
E
Cattle
Land Use
Commercial farming
Ranching
Hunting and gathering
Manufacturing area
Little or no activity
Bauxite
1,000
0 km
1,000
Miller Cylindrical projection
Christchurch
Sheep
Dunedin
755
Australia and New Zealand: Population Density
120°E
130°E
140°E
Timor
Sea
20°S
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
A U S T R A L I A
Brisbane
30°S
Perth
Great
Australian
Bight Adelaide
.
gR
lin
r
Da
M u rray R
.
Applying Map Skills
40°S
N
W
1. How do you know that
none of New Zealand’s
cities have more than
5 million people?
2. In what part of Australia
is population density the
highest?
Find NGS online map resources @
www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
Tasmania
E
S
0 mi.
Persons
Sq. Mi.
Uninhabited
Under 2
2–60
60–125
125–250
Over 250
per
Sq. Km
Uninhabited
Under 1
1–25
25–50
50–100
Over 100
Sydney
Auckland
Melbourne
INDIAN
OCEAN
170°E
OCEANIA
Coral
Sea
City with 1,000,000 to
5,000,000 people
City with 500,000 to
1,000,000 people
160°E
Arafura
Sea
10°S
Cities
City with more than
5,000,000 people
150°E
Tasman
Sea
NEW
ZEALAND
PACIFIC
OCEAN
1,000
0 km
1,000
Miller Cylindrical projection
Trade with other countries is an important part of New Zealand’s
economy. Its main trading partners are Australia, Japan, the United
States, and the United Kingdom. Depending on trade brings both benefits and dangers to New Zealand. If the economies of other countries
are growing quickly, demand for goods from New Zealand will rise. If
the other economies slow, however, they will buy fewer products. This
can cause hardship on the islands. In recent years, trade has grown, and
New Zealanders enjoy a high standard of living.
Mining and Manufacturing New Zealand sits on top of the molten
rock that forms volcanoes. As a result, it is rich in geothermal
energy, electricity produced from steam. The major source of energy,
however, is hydroelectric power—electricity generated by flowing
water. New Zealand also has coal, oil, iron ore, silver, and gold.
The country is rapidly industrializing. Service industries and
tourism play large roles in the economy. The main manufactured items
are wood products, fertilizers, wool products, and shoes.
Why does trade with other countries offer both benefits
and dangers to New Zealand?
New Zealand’s History and People
People called the Maori (MOWR•ee) are believed to have arrived
in New Zealand between A.D. 950 and 1150. They probably crossed the
Pacific Ocean in canoes from islands far to the northeast. Undisturbed
for hundreds of years, the Maori developed skills in farming, weaving,
fishing, bird hunting, and woodcarving.
756
CHAPTER 27
The first European explorers came to the islands in the mid-1600s.
Almost 200 years passed before settlers—most of them British—
arrived. In 1840 British officials signed a treaty with Maori leaders. In
this treaty, the Maori agreed to accept British rule in return for the
right to keep their land. More British settlers eventually moved onto
Maori land. War broke out in the 1860s—a war that the Maori lost.
In 1893 the colony became the first land to give women the right
to vote. New Zealand was also among the first places in which the government gave help to people who were old, sick, or out of work.
New Zealand became independent in 1907. The country is a parliamentary democracy in which elected representatives choose a
prime minister to head the government. Five seats in the parliament
can be held only by Maoris. Today about 10 percent of New Zealand’s
3.8 million people are Maori. Most of the rest are descendants of
British settlers. Asians and Pacific islanders, attracted by the growing
economy, have increased the diversity of New Zealand’s society.
About 85 percent of the people live in urban areas. The largest
cities are Auckland, an important port, and Wellington, the capital.
Both are on North Island, where about 75 percent of the people live.
New Zealanders take advantage of the country’s mild climate and
beautiful landscapes. They enjoy camping, hiking, hunting, boating,
and mountain climbing in any season. They also play cricket and
rugby, sports that originated in Great Britain.
What group settled New Zealand 1,000 years ago?
2
Assessment
Defining Terms
1. Define geyser, manuka, fjord, geothermal
energy, hydroelectric power.
6. Making Predictions With so many different
peoples settling in New Zealand, how do you
think the country’s culture may change?
Recalling Facts
2. Region How do New Zealand’s land and climate compare to Australia’s?
3. Economics What two animal products are
important exports for New Zealand?
4. History Most of New Zealand’s people are
descendants of settlers from what European
country?
Graphic Organizer
7. Organizing Information Imagine that you are
moving to New Zealand. Write a question you
would ask for each topic in the chart below.
Critical Thinking
5. Analyzing Information Why do you
think New Zealand’s government guarantees the Maori a certain number of seats in
the parliament?
Physical features Economy
Recreation
Climate
Culture
Government
Applying Geography Skills
8. Analyzing Maps Look at the economic
activity map on page 755. Is more land in New
Zealand used for farming or for ranching?
Outlining
Outlining may be used as a starting
point for a writer. The writer begins with the
rough shape of the material and gradually fills
in the details in a logical manner. You may
also use outlining as a method of note taking
and organizing information as you read.
Learning the Skill
There are two types of outlines—formal
and informal. An informal outline is similar to
taking notes—you write words and phrases
needed to remember main ideas. In contrast,
a formal outline has a standard format. Follow
these steps to formally outline information:
• Read the text to identify the main ideas.
Label these with Roman numerals.
• Write subtopics under each main idea.
Label these with capital letters.
• Write supporting details for each subtopic.
Label these with Arabic numerals.
• Each level should have at least two entries
and should be indented from the level
above.
• All entries should use the same grammatical form, whether phrases or complete
sentences.
m A huge sheep herd pours down a ravine
on North Island.
Practicing the Skill
On a separate sheet of paper, copy
the following outline for Section 2 of
this chapter. Then use your textbook to
fill in the missing subtopics and details.
I.
New Zealand’s
Land
A. North Island
1. Central plate
au surrounded
by fertile lowlan
2. Active volca
ds
noes and geyser
s
B. ____________
___________
1. Southern Al
ps on western co
ast
2. ____________
______________
C. Plants an
d Animals
1. ____________
______________
2. ____________
______________
II. New Zealand
’s Economy
A. Agriculture
1. ____________
______________
__
2. ____________
______________
__
B. Trading Partn
ers
1. ____________
______________
____
2. ____________
______________
___
3. ____________
______________
__
4. ____________
______________
__
C. __________
______________
________
1. ____________
______________
______
2. Wood produ
cts, fertilizers, wo
III. New Zealand
ol products, and
’s History and Pe
shoes
ople
A. ____________
______________
__
__
______
B. ____________
______________
__________
Applying the Skill
Following the guidelines above, prepare
an outline for Section 1 of this chapter.
Practice key skills with Glencoe
Skillbuilder Interactive Workbook, Level 1.
CHAPTER 27
pter
a
Ch
Reading
Review
27
Section
Section 1
Australia
Terms to Know
Main Idea
coral reef
outback
station
marsupial
immigrant
boomerang
bush
Both a continent and a country, Australia has many natural resources
but few people.
✓Place The land of Australia is mostly flat and dry, with little rainfall.
✓Location Because Australia has been separated from other continents for millions of years, unique plants and animals developed here.
✓Economics Most of Australia’s wealth comes from minerals and the products
of its ranches. It is the world’s leading producer and exporter of wool.
✓Culture Australia has relatively few people, most of whom live along the coasts.
Sydney Opera House in
Sydney, Australia
#
Section
Section 2
New Zealand
Terms to Know
Main Idea
geyser
manuka
fjord
geothermal energy
hydroelectric power
New Zealand is a small country with a growing economy based on
trade.
✓Place Most people live on New Zealand’s two largest islands.
✓Place New Zealand has volcanic mountains, high glaciers, deep-cut fjords,
fertile hills, and coastal plains. The climate is mild and wet.
✓Economics New Zealand’s economy is built on trade. Sheepherding is an
important activity, and wool and lamb meat are major exports.
✓History The people called the Maori first came to New Zealand around 1,000
years ago.
✓Culture Most people live on North Island, where the country’s two main
cities can be found.
Australia and New Zealand
759
Assessment
27 and Activities
pter
a
Ch
Using Key Terms
Reviewing the Main Ideas
Match the terms in Part A with their
definitions in Part B.
Section 1 Australia
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
boomerang
bush
station
geothermal energy
outback
6. manuka
7. marsupial
8. hydroelectric
power
9. coral reef
10. geyser
11. Location Why is Australia called the Land
Down Under?
12. Place For what is the outback used?
13. Economics What does Australia lead the
world in producing and exporting?
14. History What country colonized
Australia?
15. Culture What percentage of people live
in Australia’s cities?
B.
Section 2 New Zealand
a. electricity produced from steam
b. wooden weapon that returns to the
thrower
c. mammal that carries its young in a pouch
d. hot spring that shoots hot water into the air
e. rural area in Australia
f. structure formed by the skeletons of small
sea animals
g. name for entire inland region of Australia
h. cattle or sheep ranch in Australia
i. electricity generated by flowing water
j. small shrub found in New Zealand
16. Location On which island do most New
Zealanders live?
17. Place What kind of climate does New
Zealand have?
18. Economics Why can New Zealand’s
economy suffer if other countries have
economic problems?
19. Culture How many New Zealanders have
Maori heritage?
20. Human/Environment Interaction What
leisure activities do New Zealanders enjoy
that are made possible by the country’s
climate?
Australia and New Zealand
Place Location Activity
N
W
On a separate sheet of paper, match the letters
on the map with the numbered places listed
below.
1. Auckland
6. Southern Alps
2. Sydney
7. Darling River
3. Tasmania
8. Wellington
4. Great Barrier Reef
9. Canberra
5. Great Dividing Range
G
D
F
A
J
C
E
B
10. Perth
0 mi.
1,000
0 km
1,000
Miller Cylindrical projection
760
E
S
I
H
Self-Check Quiz Visit the Geography:
The World and Its People Web site at
gwip.glencoe.com and click on Chapter 27—
Self-Check Quizzes to prepare for the
Chapter Test.
Directions: Study the graph below, then
answer the following question.
New
Zealand
GeoJournal Activity
23. Designing a Poster Choose one of the
unusual physical features found in Australia
or New Zealand. You might choose the
Great Barrier Reef, the Great Artesian Basin,
or the geysers or glaciers of New Zealand.
Research to learn more about this physical
feature. Create an illustrated poster that
includes a map, four photographs, and four
facts about the feature.
Mental Mapping Activity
24. Focusing on the Region Draw a simple
outline map of Australia and New Zealand,
then label the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
North Island
Sydney
Melbourne
Auckland
Tasmania
Tasman Sea
• Coral Sea
• Darling River
• Great Artesian
Basin
• Hamersley
Range
Technology Skills Activity
25. Using the Internet Use the Internet to find
out more about one of Australia’s or New
Zealand’s cities. Prepare a travel brochure
aimed at a tourist who might visit the city.
Describe the city’s main attractions.
Leading Wool-Producing Countries
1,800
817
1,500
681
1,200
545
900
409
600
273
300
136
Millions of kilograms
21. Understanding Cause and Effect Why do
most Australians and New Zealanders live in
coastal areas?
22. Organizing Information Draw two ovals
like these. In the outer ovals, write four
facts about each country under their heading. Where the ovals overlap, write three
facts that are true of both countries.
Millions of pounds
Critical Thinking
Australia
Standardized Test Practice
0
Australia
China
New Zealand
Uruguay
Russia
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
1. How much wool does Australia produce
a year?
A 1,800 pounds
B 1,800,000 pounds
C about 1,700 pounds
D about 1,700,000,000 pounds
Test-Taking Tip: Remember to read the
information along the sides of the graph to
understand what the bars represent. In
addition, eliminate answers that you know
are wrong.
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EYE on the Environment
I
OZONE
October 1980
Earth’s Natural
Sunscreen
October 1990
The Ozone Hole If you spend lots of time outdoors,
you probably know that “SPF 30” is a rating for sunscreen. The higher a sunscreen’s Sun Protection Factor
(SPF), the longer you can be exposed to sunlight before
your skin begins to burn. Earth has a sunscreen, too. It is
called ozone. Ozone is a kind of gas. A thin band of ozone high above the
earth shields the planet from the sun’s most harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The ozone layer, however, is being destroyed. The satellite images (above,
right) show an expanding ozone hole above Antarctica. For several decades,
the ozone layer has been in trouble.
Human-made chemicals, particularly chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), destroy ozone and thin the ozone layer. CFCs were used
for years in refrigerators, air conditioners, foam-insulated cups,
aerosol sprays, and in some cleaning products.
October 2000
Thicker
Ozone
Thinner
Ozone
Source: Ozone Processing Team,
NASA, GSFC.
Ozone losses of about 10 percent have occurred over Europe, Canada, and
other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, too.
When ozone is destroyed, more UV rays strike the earth. Exposure to
harmful rays can cause skin cancer in humans, destroy plants, and kill
ocean plankton.
Reversing the Damage The good news is that ozone destruction can be
reversed. Officials around the world are taking action.
In 1992 an international treaty called for a global ban of
CFCs by 1996. Today there are fewer CFCs in the atmosphere.
Some scientists predict full recovery of the ozone layer by 2050.
A lifeguard in Australia prepares for a day in the
sun with hat, sunglasses, and zinc cream.
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UNIT 9
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Making a Difference
Ozone Prizewinners Three scientists shared the 1995 Nobel
Prize in chemistry for their research on ozone. Americans
Mario Molina (photo, at right) and F. Sherwood Rowland
and Dutch citizen Paul Crutzen shared the honor after
describing the chemical processes by which ozone is
formed and destroyed in the atmosphere. Before they
explored the issue, little was known about how humanmade chemicals affect ozone. The three scientists were
able to show that the release of CFCs into the air damages
the ozone layer. Their important research led governments
around the world to ban the use of CFCs.
Mario Molina
````````````````````````````````
Keeping Watch Antarctica has long been seen as a
barometer of Earth’s health. Scientists from all over
the world live and work in research stations scattered throughout Antarctica. In 1985 scientists
reported that the ozone layer over Antarctica had
decreased dramatically. Since then, they have been
Get Inv
olve
Organiz
closely watching the ozone layer, collecting data
e a “Sun d
Alert” c
student
from special instruments that record ozone levels.
ampaign
s in you
to warn
n
ger grad
dangers
Governments and environmental groups use this
es abou
of overe
t the
xposure
information to determine what should be done.
to the s
un.
Find Ou
t More
On the
Trail of
the Miss
online b
ing
ook, tel
ls why w Ozone, an
layer an
e need t
dh
he o
You can ow to prevent
ozone d zone
read it a
epletion
t www.e
/scienc
.
pa.gov/
e/misso
ozone
z/index
you lear
.html. S
n with t
hare wh
he class
at
.
What Ca
n You Do
?
Use
Check c the Internet
urrent o
zone lev
visiting
els worl
NASA’s
dwide b
Goddar
Center’s
y
d
Space F
Web sit
l
ight
e at htt
.nasa.go
p://jwo
v
cky.gsfc
A scientist in Antarctica
checks ozone levels.
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