Physical Geography of South East Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica

1.
What is an archipelago and identify an example?
An archipelago is a set of closely grouped islands, which sometimes form a curved arc. An
example is the Philippines.
2. What rivers and resources exist in South East Asia? Why is this important?
The Mekong River and Fertile soil are important because people rely on the River for farming
and fishing, also it is used for seagoing travel and trade. The Fertile soil is valuable resource
for farming. They also have access to mineral resources, such as petroleum, tin, and gems.
3. What is Oceania? About how many islands exist in Oceania?
Oceania is a group of Pacific Islands. There are about 20,000 Islands in the Oceania.
4. What are high islands? What are low islands?
The Pacific Islands fall into two categories High and Low islands. High islands are created by
volcanoes and low islands are made of coral reefs.
5. What resource problem exists in Oceania?
Oceania is not rich in resources. The low islands have poor soil. Oceania having poor resources
has made it difficult to develop an industry.
6. Describe the difference in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Even though it
has limited natural resources, what has allowed New Zealand to thrive?
South islands in New Zealand have a large long mountain range in the center of the island. The
North Island has hilly ranges with volcanic plateau with less mountains. North Island has fertile
farm land and forest that support lumber industries, also has natural harbors used for seaports.
Both Islands has rivers running through. The rivers in New Zealand allow the people to build
dams that generate electricity, also use the steam to create power.

7. How is Australia different from New Zealand? (Be specific. What is found here that is
not found in New Zealand?)
Australia is flatter then New Zealand and also has less rivers. Forestry is not a big thing in
Australia, and Australia is rich in minerals. Australia has the great barrier reef the largest
coral reef.

8. The 5th largest continent is Antarctica. Compare East and West Antarctica (underneath
the ice).
Underneath the ice East Antarctica is surrounded by mountains and valleys. While West
Antarctica is a group of separate islands only linked together by ice.

9. What is interesting about Antarctica's ice sheet? What resources may lie beneath?
Antarcticas ice sheet is the largest supply of fresh water in the world. Scientist believe that
under the ice could be resources such as coal, minerals, and petroleum.

Climate and Vegetation

pgs. 694-701
1.
What sort of climate exists in most of South East Asia and Oceania?
Year-round rains, wet and dry seasons, hot summers, mild winters, mild summers, and cool
winters are some of the climates in most of Southeast Asia and Oceania.
2. What are the two categories that exist in the climate of South East Asia and Oceania?
There are hot summers and mild winters and mild summers and cool winters that affect the
climate in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

3. Describe a monsoon.
A monsoon is winds that cause wet and dry seasons.

4. How does the climate affect the tropical plants and vegetation that exists in South East
Asia and Oceania?
During the wet and dry climate zone forests are more common. There are many times of plants
in the South East Asia part. In the Oceania vegetation does not grow well. On some islands
there are an abundance in flowers, trees, and coconut palm.

5. Look at the 5 Themes Box (Human-Environment Interaction). What is Terraced

Farming? Why would this be interesting to historians?

Terrace farming is altering the landscape to farm, people build terraces on the sides of hills
and farm. This method saves on water and soil. This could be interesting to historians because
this is an ancient way of farming.

6. Describe the climate in Australia and New Zealand. How is Australias climate similar to
South East Asia and also New Zealand?
New Zealand and Australia share a common marine west coast climate. In New Zealand has
year-long rainfall. Australia has moist winds that go throughout the island, also enough rain to
let trees grow up to 300 feet.
7. Why is of Australia a dry desert? What is the outback?
1/3 of Australia is a dry desert because it is in the center of Australia and does not get much
rain, about less than 10 inches per year. The unpopulated inland area is known as the outback.
8. What is the White Desert? What sorts of life lives in it?
The White Desert is a polar desert in south Antarctica. There is not much live in the White
desert except birds, sea life, penguins, and mosses.