Australia and New Zealand

Surrounded by water

Uluru-Large rock formation

Australia Physical Geography

Great Barrier Reef- Off of Australia’s northeast coast, world’s largest coral reef

Fact: The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system

Fact: Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef

Fact: Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed

Fact: 215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands

Fact: Seventeen species of sea snake live on the Great Barrier Reef

Fact: More than 1,500 fish species live on the reef

Australia Physical Geography

Resources: World’s top producer of bauxite and lead

Australia Physical Geography

Aborigines settled Australia 40,000 years ago

Australian History

Captain Cook landed in Australia in 1770 and claimed for British

Many Aborigines died of European diseases

Australian History

Became independent in 1931

Australian History

Member of British Commonwealth of Nations

British monarch is head of state

Parliamentary Democracy

Australia Today

Agriculture important

Top producers of wool

Australia Today

Diverse population

Sydney and Melbourne large cities

90% urban

Australia Today

North Island-Hills, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs.

New Zealand Physical Geography

South Island-Southern Alps, thick forests, deep lakes, and glaciers

New Zealand Physical Geography

Resources: wool, timber, and gold

New Zealand Physical Geography

Maori settled 1,200 years ago

History of New Zealand

Captain Cook landed in New Zealand in 1769 and claimed for British

British and Maori fought over land

History of New Zealand

Became independent in 1931

History of New Zealand

British monarch is head of state

Parliamentary Democracy

New Zealand Today

Agriculture important

Leading producer of wool

New Zealand Today

Diverse population

Most live on North Island

90% urban

New Zealand Today