How much do you know about the beautiful and colorful Oceania? Here are 5 basic things about Oceania that you don't necessarily know.
Oceania is one of the seven continents on Earth, and it is made up of 14 countries, all of which are geographically located in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, made up of more than 10,000 islands. These countries include not only Australia and New Zealand, but also Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Papua New Guinea is the second largest country in the continent.
01 Australia is the largest country in Oceania. Australia is located below the equator. Because of its location in the south, Australia is often referred to as "down under.". Another interesting fact related to the origin of the word "Australia" is that it derives from the Latin Word Terra Australis, meaning "land of the South".
02 The largest city in Oceania in Australia. The largest urban centre in Oceania is Sydney, Australia, with a total area of 4,775.2 square miles (12,368 km2). Located on the east coast of Australia, the city is the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales. It was founded in 1788, and statistics for 2019 show that its total population is about 5312,163 people, with a population density of 1112 people per square mile. About 65% of NSW's residents live in Sydney.
03 Its highest point is in New Zealand. The highest mountain in Oceania is Mount Cook in New Zealand, also known as Awlaki, and at its highest point, this towering mountain reaches a maximum elevation of 12,316 feet. Opened in 1953, Awlaki/Mount Cook National Park is home to 19 peaks over 9,840 feet above sea level and 72 glaciers. The local South Island Maori refer to this mountain as Awlaki, which means "mountain through the clouds".
04 Its fauna and flora are diverse and unique. Oceania is home to a variety of animals and plants. Protozoa in the region include the common wombat, a marsupial that commonly lives in southern and eastern Australia and Tasmania; Emus is the second tallest bird in the world; Koala, a herbivorous marsupial; Platypus, a semi-aquatic mammal found in parts of eastern Australia and Tasmania; Laughing kingfisher, a tree-shaped kingfisher; and the red kangaroo, the largest mammal native to Australia on land.
Native vegetation of Oceania includes water lilies, also known as scented satin or tar wood; grass trees, characterized by white flower spikes; Cabbage palm tree, a fan-shaped palm tree with shiny green leaves; and a bright red flower in Australia, Valata.
05. Its population is diverse and has some common trends. The majority of residents living in Oceania (about 73%) consider themselves Christians. The rest of the population practises a variety of religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Baha'iism, and various traditional indigenous belief systems.
In 2018, 37 per cent of New Zealanders considered themselves Christians, while 48 per cent did not profess any religion. According to 2016 data, 52 per cent of Australians are Christians and 30 per cent are not religious. Residents living on several Pacific islands are more likely to be Christian. In Micronesia, for example, 93 percent define themselves as Christians. In Polynesia, this figure rises to 96 per cent.
Oceania is not just about white sand beaches and palm trees. Each island has its own unique characteristics and indigenous traditions that immerse you in it. Its eclecticism is sure to inspire and amaze travelers to make their way to these distant lands.
