The World and Its People

Chapter 26: Australia and New Zealand

Chapter Overviews

Australia is a country and a continent. The Great Barrier Reef, a chain of colorful coral formations, lies off Australia's northeastern coast. This dry continent is covered by plains, plateaus, and a few low mountain ranges. Because it has been separated from other continents for millions of years, unique plants and animals have developed there. An abundance of mineral resources, cattle and sheep ranching, and a growing manufacturing sector have produced a strong economy. Australia has relatively few people, most of whom live along the coasts. A small part of Australia's population are Aborigines, the descendants of the first immigrants who came from Asia at least 40,000 years ago.

New Zealand lies in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,200 miles southeast of Australia. It includes two main islands and many smaller islands. New Zealand has a thriving agricultural economy—wool and lamb meat are major exports, and sheep herding is important as well. People called the Maoris are believed to have been the first immigrants to New Zealand. They make up about 10 percent of the population today, while most of the rest are descendants of British settlers.