Glencoe World GeographyChapter 33:
The Cultural Geography of Australia, Oceania, and AntarcticaChapter Overviews
The region of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica is a blend of indigenous peoples
that arrived from Asia as early as 60,000 years ago, European colonists, and later
Asian immigrants. Today the countries have a mix of modern, urban lifestyles and
traditional lifestyles with strong kinship ties.
Population Patterns Australia's Aborigines, who probably arrived from
Southeast Asia 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, may have the oldest surviving culture
in the world. The islands of Oceania were probably first settled by peoples
from Asia more than 30,000 years ago. New Zealand's indigenous peoples are known
as the Maori. Europeans began arriving in the 1500s and now make up the majority
of the population in Australia and New Zealand. Asians followed during the 1800s.
Almost half of the world's languages are spoken in Oceania alone, and with the
arrival of Europeans Strine and pidgin English developed. Since much of the
region's land is unsuited for humans, most people live in coastal areas and
in cities. History and Government The Aborigines led a nomadic life, moving in
clans within their ancestral territories. Family groups in Oceania settled along
island coasts. Increased trade among these groups led to migrations among the
islands and the eventual settlement of New Zealand by the Maori. European settlements
began with the explorations of British sailor James Cook and the British penal
colony of Botany Bay in today's Sydney, Australia. Colonization had disastrous
results for the indigenous peoples. Most countries in the region won their independence
after World War II. An international agreement established Antarctica as a peaceful
research site. Cultures and Lifestyles The indigenous peoples in the region developed
lifestyles and traditions in harmony with their natural environment. These blended
with European and later Asian elements. While in many parts of the region people
have modern, urban lifestyles, in other parts traditional ways remain. Many
Pacific islanders work at subsistence farming and live in traditional houses.
Education and healthcare are easily available in urban areas, but access to
them can be difficult in rural areas and for indigenous peoples.
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