Download World Geography Today Chapter 31

World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Australia and New Zealand
Preview
Section 1: Australia
Section 2: New Zealand
Chapter Wrap-Up
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
Read to Discover
• What are the main features of Australia’s
natural environments?
• What are Australia’s history and culture
like?
• What are some important features of
Australia’s human systems?
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
Question
What are Australia’s landform regions, water
resources, climates,
and other resources?
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
Water
Resources
Landform
Regions
Murray River
Darling River
Artesian wells
Great Dividing Range
Central Lowlands
Western Plateau
Climates
Arid, semiarid,
tropical wet and dry,
humid subtropical,
marine west coast,
Mediterranean
The Natural
Environments
of Australia
Other
Resources
Bauxite, copper, iron
ore, lead, silver, zinc,
gemstones, coal, oil,
natural gas, sheep
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
Natural Environments
• Great Dividing Range—Eastern highlands; main mountain system
• Central Lowlands—Artesian wells; Lake Eyre, salt lake; Simpson
Desert
• Western Plateau—Two-thirds of country; oldest rocks; deserts,
Nullarbor Plain
• Great Barrier Reef—Coral reefs; varied tropical sea life
• Dry, desert interior (outback) surrounded by wetter, greener coasts,
with some rainforests
• Unusual animal life—marsupials
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
History and Culture
• Aborigines—Ancient native culture; traditionally nomadic;
hundreds of languages
• British settled Australia as a penal colony starting in 1788.
• Settlers forced Aborigines off the land.
• Six large colonies developed; became Commonwealth in
1901.
• People are mainly of European ancestry; many Asians
began arriving in 1970s.
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
History and Culture (continued)
• Most people live in southeastern coastal cities.
• Religion—Mostly Christian; Aborigine beliefs; immigrants
have brought other religions
• Sports and beach activities are popular.
• There are world-renowned artists and craftsmen.
• Foods are often a mix of Mediterranean and Asian.
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 1: Australia
Human Systems
• Developed country with a market economy
• Good transportation and health care
• Stable democratic government
• Key economic activities—Services, mining,
extensive agriculture (wool), tourism
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
Read to Discover
• What are some important features of New
Zealand’s natural environment?
• What are New Zealand’s history and culture like?
• On what is New Zealand’s economy based, and
what economic challenge does the country face?
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
Question
What are the physical features of the North
and South Islands of New Zealand?
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
North Island
Forests,
volcanoes,
geysers, hot
springs, hills
Both
Islands
Lowlands
South Island
Mountains,
glaciers,
lakes, plains
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
Natural Environments
• North Island—Forests, fertile lowlands; tectonic
activity (earthquakes, geysers, hot springs)
• South Island—High elevations (Southern Alps);
Canterbury Plains
• Mild marine west coast climate overall
• Temperate forest biome—Evergreens, endemic
species (kiwis, moas, bats)
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
History and Culture
• Maori arrived around 1000 years ago; settled on North
Island.
• James Cook arrived in 1769; British settlers came from
Australia.
• Settlers took Maori land; wars (1845–1872) led to Maori
defeat.
• New Zealand gained independence, 1907; continued to
develop farming economy.
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
History and Culture (continued)
• Most people have British ancestors; Maori make
up about 10 percent.
• Population is concentrated along coasts, mainly
on North Island and in cities.
• Outdoor activities and sports are popular; many
sheep.
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Section 2: New Zealand
New Zealand’s Economy
New Zealand’s economy is based on farming, but manufacturing and
services are growing.
• Agriculture—Sheep and cattle very important; crops include
wheat, barley, fruits.
• Industry—Food processing, wood and paper, textiles, machinery
• Film production and tourism are also important.
• Challenges—Small population makes economy of scale difficult;
dependence on global trade makes country vulnerable to outside
forces.
World Geography Today
Chapter 31
Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
1. What are some of the reasons Australia is dominated by arid
and semiarid climates?
2. What is the pattern of the distribution of major cities in
Australia? Why do few people live in the continent’s
interior?
3. How have the physical characteristics of New Zealand
changed during the last 1,000 years?
4. What are some important characteristics of New Zealand’s
market economy?
5. How are the physical and human geography of Australia and
New Zealand similar? How are they different?