Where Is Oceania?
The region of Oceania consists of many islands in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Oceania is further divided into the three subregions of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. The term Oceania is often used to denote a continent which comprises of Australia and the nearby islands or as a synonym for Australasian ecozone or the Pacific ecozone. As an ecological zone, it includes Micronesia, Polynesia (excluding New Zealand), and Fiji. New Zealand along with other islands constitutes the separate Australasian ecozone. The term Oceania was coined by Conrad Malte-Brun in 1812 with the inhabitants of the region known as the Oceanians.
Oceania initially consisted of land in the Pacific Ocean which stretched from the Strait of Malacca to the coast of the America. The area is made up of four regions including Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Malaysia. Parts of the three geological subregions are today part of the term Oceania. Oceania extends to Sumatra, Bonin Island, Hawaiian Island, Rupa Nui Island, and Macquarie Island. The islands at the geographical ends of the area include Bonin, a territory of Japan, Hawaii, a territory of the US, and Easter Island which belongs to Chile. Also, a relatively smaller geographic area includes Indonesian Papua Guinea on the Australian continent but excludes the land on the Sunda Plate. Biogeographically, the region is another name for either the Australasian ecozone or the Pacific ecozone. The region of Oceania is one of the 8 terrestrial ecological zones which form the major ecoregions of the earth. The ecozone covers Micronesia, Fiji, and Polynesia (except New Zealand). Geopolitically, the term Oceania is used by the UN, the International Olympic Committee, and several atlases to include Australia and other Pacific nations such as Papua New Guinea. A wide definition of the region includes the region between Asia and the Americas.
Oceania is divided into the three sub-regions of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Melanesia extends from New Guinea Island to the Arafura Sea and Fiji. Melanesia region includes four countries: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Island, and Vanuatu. It also includes New Caledonia which is a collective of France and the Western New Guinea regions of Indonesia. The islands of Melanesia often have both European and Indigenous names, which results in confusion.
Micronesia consists of several small islands located on the western part of the Pacific Ocean who are shared culturally by Polynesia and Melanesia. Micronesia is politically divided among independent states including three US territories. The islands of Micronesia are estimated to number 2,100, covering a total area of about 1,000 square miles. The largest island, Guam, covers about 225 square miles. Micronesia has four major island groups: Caroline, Gilbert, Mariana, and Marshall.
Polynesia constitutes over 1,000 islands distributed over the central and Southern parts of the Pacific Ocean. The majority of the islands are composed of volcanic islands built by hotspots. Polynesia consists of a largely sank continent of Zealandia which covers a total area of approximately 118,000 square miles with the largest island, New Zealand, Covering approximately 103,000 square miles. Polynesia is defined by the Polynesian Triangle which is drawn by connecting of three islands of Easter Island, Hawaiian Island, and New Zealand.
The history of Oceania is built on that of Australia and other Pacific Islands. The history is also built on the history of the three sub-regions of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. The region was explored for the first time by the Europeans in the 16th century. Portuguese explorers reached Moluccas, Timor, Tanimbar Island and some parts of the Carolina Island and New Papua Guinea between 1512 and 1525. Between 1527 and 1595, several large Spanish expeditions explored the Pacific Ocean resulting in the discovery of the Marshall Island and Palau on the northern Pacific. The Spanish explorers discovered the Pitcairn and Vanuatu archipelagos in the 17th century. A colony of Guam was then discovered by the Spanish in 1668 and used as a harbor and stop-over for the west-bound vessels. Abel Tasman was the first to reach Tasmania and New Zealand and mapped a substantial portion of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji. James Cook became the second European explorer to visit New Zealand 125 years after Tasman and in 1778 he became the first European first to visit the island of Hawaii.
Oceania was colonized by Europeans and the Americans. Between 1788 and 1872, the British established several colonies including Australia, New Zealand, and Fuji with much of Oceania becoming a British territory. In the 19th century, Kiribati and Tuvalu Islands also came under the British sphere. Tahiti and Tahuata were declared French protectorates in 1842. The French also took over the Tuamotu Archipelago belonging to the Pomare Dynasty in the 1980s. The Netherlands claimed mainly the western half of Oceania. The Dutch government established its first posts in 1898 and 1902 to the South of the border with British New Guinea. Germany established its colony and a trading station on Jaluit and Ebon islands to promote the copra trade. The US expanded into the Pacific in 1857 by taking over Baker and Howland Islands. Hawaii became part of the US in 1898. The Japanese took control of the Marshall Island at the beginning of the World War I. Japan also colonized several Oceanic colonies.
The idea of what constitutes Oceania varies from time to time. The region is defined in several geopolitical and geographic ways. The geopolitical concept used by bodies such as the United Nations, Olympic Committee, and other atlases includes Australia and other Pacific Nations such as Papua New Guinea in their definition of Oceania. The Oceania region has a population 34.7 million people including the population of Australia and 13.4 million people excluding the mainland Australia. Papua New Guinea is the most populated island followed by New Zealand and Hawaii with a population of 5.9 million, 4.2 million, and 1.4 million respectively. Pitcairn Island is the least populated island with only 48 people. Christianity is the major religion within Oceania although there are some other religions including Hindu, Islam, Buddhism, and Indigenous beliefs.
More:
What Is Oceania? - WorldAtlas.com
- Oceania Cruises - Cruise Vacations & Cruise Deals | Mid-Sized ... - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- Oceania Travel Guide - Wikitravel - December 9th, 2016 [December 9th, 2016]
- Home - Oceania - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- Australia/Oceania - WorldAtlas.com - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Oceania ... - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- List of the 14 Countries of Oceania by Area - December 22nd, 2016 [December 22nd, 2016]
- Oceania resort - Prestige Vacations Aruba - December 31st, 2016 [December 31st, 2016]
- Nations of Nineteen Eighty-Four - Wikipedia - December 31st, 2016 [December 31st, 2016]
- FIBA Oceania Championship - Wikipedia - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- FIBA Oceania - FIBA.com - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- Hamish Bond eyes Oceania Road Cycling Championships - Newshub - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Harry Sommer in Sydney for Oceania Australasia appointment - Seatrade Cruise News - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Oceania to Offer 14 Alaska Cruise Departures in 2017 - Travel Agent - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Asia Oceania Geosciences Society names Zank its sixth honorary member - UAH News (press release) - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Work-life concerns drive Oceania leaders' departures - Nikkei Asian Review - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises serves up great American adventures in The Great Land - Travel Daily Media (press release) (registration) (blog) - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Guam could host Oceania, Para tournaments - Pacific Daily News - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Ben Hill wins second Canberra Cycling Club Championship, now wants Oceania crown - The Sydney Morning Herald - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Asia and Oceania members get most out of FIBA National Federations Marketing and Communications Workshop in ... - FIBA - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Fiji Juniors Take On Oceania's Best - Fiji Sun Online - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises Reveals Late 2017 Voyages To Cuba - PR Newswire (press release) - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Davis Cup 2017: Bengaluru to host India-Uzbekistan Asia-Oceania Group I Rd 2 tie - Hindustan Times - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- U17 Qualifiers Progressing for Oceania Cup EMTV Online - EMTV Online - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Oceania cruises adds more Cuba trips from Miami with multiple stops on the island - Miami Herald - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Oceania Adds More Cuba Cruises for Late 2017 | Travel Agent Central - Travel Agent - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Oceania's Riviera -- smooth sailing with glorious food - ConsumerAffairs - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises Reveals New 2017 Voyages To Cuba - Caribbean360.com (subscription) - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Ba, Rewa in Oceania battle - Fiji Times Online - Fiji Times - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Asia Oceania Floorball holds annual meeting in Wellington - Insidethegames.biz - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- New Zealand U-17 footballers complete perfect record in pool play at Oceania champs - Stuff.co.nz - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Team Wellington look to crowdfund $25000 Oceania Champions League shortfall - Stuff.co.nz - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises offers six new itineraries to Cuba - Cruise and Ferry - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Another open Oceania Rocket League comp kicks off soon - Gameplanet - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Door open for Oceania athletes to compete at 2022 Asian Games - Insidethegames.biz - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Shange excel at the Oceania Race Walk Championship - Pretoria East Rekord - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Macquarie books fundies for Oceania Healthcare non deal roadshow - The Australian Financial Review - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Paeroa wrestler to represent New Zealand at Oceania Wrestling ... - Waikato Times - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises' OLife makes for an all-around delectable experience at sea - Travelweek - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Whirlpool promotes internal executive to managing director for Oceania - Appliance Retailer - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Live From Oceania Marina: Hits and Misses - Cruise Critic - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Carol tows Pacific Oceania to finals - Saipan Tribune - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Sport: Pacific Oceania into tennis final - Radio New Zealand - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- McCartney tops 4.82m Oceania record in Auckland, Crouser throws 22.15m - International Association of Athletics Federations - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Lee powers Pacific Oceania to title win - Saipan News, Headlines ... - Saipan Tribune - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Beach Volleyball Trial matches for Oceania Championship starts - EMTV Online - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises reprises 'Around the World in 180 Days' - Seatrade Cruise News - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- New Zealand cyclist Sam Miller looking forward to aggressive racing ... - Stuff.co.nz - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Refining Industry Outlook in Asia and Oceania to 2021 - Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of ... - Business Wire (press release) - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises Announces New 180-Day Cruise for 2019 ... - TravelPulse - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Oceania cruises around the world in 180 days | Cruise News UK - Travel Daily Media (press release) (registration) (blog) - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Oceania to Sail New World Cruise in 2019 - Travel Agent - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Are we living in an Orwellian Oceania? - Palatinate - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Otago student wins Oceania scholarship - Otago Daily Times - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises announces around the world in 180 days voyage for 2019 - Travel Daily News International - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Riders warm up for Oceania BMX battle - Western Advocate - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Oceania CACS conference targets technology-driven change - Technology Decisions - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises Culinary Programs for Foodies and Aspiring Chefs - Pursuitist - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Oceania cycling championships top seed Lucy Kennedy eyeing the top of the podium - The Canberra Times - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Leanna Curtis claims Oceania BMX crown - Western Advocate - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Oceania Road Cycling Championships set to begin in Canberra - Insidethegames.biz - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Sean Lake aiming for Oceania time trial and road race defence - Cyclingnews.com - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Australia dominate day one of Oceania Road Cycling Championships - Insidethegames.biz - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Mountain bike champ Jenny Blair hitting the road for Oceania Championships - The Sydney Morning Herald - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Australasia's best to battle for Oceania gold - The South Burnett Times - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Asia-Oceania Meeting of Religious inspires eco-citizens - Global Sisters Report (blog) - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Rowing champ Hamish Bond continues to excel on bike with ... - Stuff.co.nz - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Asia-Oceania Meeting of Religious inspires eco-citizens - National Catholic Reporter (blog) - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Hayley Wolfenden rides to an Oceania BMX podium - Western Advocate - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- Aged care play Oceania Healthcare's pitch to fundies - The Australian Financial Review - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- Davis Cup: Mahesh Bhupathi drops Leander Paes from Asia/Oceania Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan - Bangalore Mirror - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Young South Canterbury speed skaters hunting medals in Australia at Oceania Championships - The Nelson Mail - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Rocket League Oceania: Open Qualifiers Recap - The Roar - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Vector Wins Asia-Oceania Financial Performance Award | Scoop ... - Scoop.co.nz (press release) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- ITTF Signs Strategic Investment Agreement with ITTF-Oceania - Around the Rings (subscription) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Big moves in NZ aged care ahead of Oceania IPO - The Australian Financial Review - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Team Oceania On Way to New York | Fiji Sun - Fiji Sun Online - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Riot Games Oceania inks deal with Twitter - Dot Esports - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Oceania Rugby assists unions "to do things better" - Matangi Tonga - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Oceania Cruises Offering Flight Upgrade Offer for European Sailings - Cruise Fever - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Manawatu's Chris Sanson off to Oceania marathon championships - Manawatu Standard - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]