Micronesia

Geography

East of the Philippines and south-west of the Hawaiian Islands lay approximately 2,000 islands designated as Micronesia. This region is separated into: the Micronesia, Federated States of, Guam, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and Wake Island atoll. The deepest point in the world's oceans, the Challenger Deep, can be found to the southwest of Guam.

Politics,Economics and Religion

The islands are a curious mixture of the descendents of westerners (primarily British, German and America) and the indigenous people where you can find the old ways of living co-existing side-by-side with the new. English is spoken by many of the residents along with a variety of native languages. America has a heavy interest in the region. Guam has the largest population (170,000) and is an American territory as is Wake Island while the Northern Mariana Islands is a U.S. Commomwealth. The remaining countries are independent nations. There are also a number of U.S. military bases throughout the region from the heavy fighting that was seen during World War II over control of this theatre of war.

History

The ecosystems of the lands are very fragile and can be damaged by not just the weather but also man's needs; for example, on Narau, extensive mining has led to the need to initiate major reforestation campaigns to bring back threatened wildlife habitat. Colonization brought with it predators that ravaged the native wildlife, such as the arrival of snakes which decimated the bird population of Guam. There are remote regions in the Marshall Islands and Kiribati that were used by the western powers for atomic and nuclear weapons testing during the 1950s-1970s and remain uninhabitable.

Climate

The proximity of the region to the equator ensures that Micronesia enjoys a year-round tropical climate. Many of the islands are exposed to typhoons during the rainy season.

Polynesia

Geography

A region of the Pacific Ocean that contains over 1,000 islands. Polynesia lies within an imaginary triangle with the points at Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island. There are some exceptions that are slightly outside the triangle such as Tuvalu, Java, Ontong and the Ellice Islands. Major island groups within Polynesia include Tonga, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, the Pitcairn Islands, Kiribati, Niue, and Samoa.

Politics,Economics and Religion

The Polynesian culture is split into two separate groups, Eastern and Western. Western Polynesian people have been conditioned to build their societies according to the larger island size, constructing larger communities that require appropriate social orders. Conversely the eastern Polynesian groups adapted to life on smaller islands and atolls, often spread out over dozens or even hundreds of separate landmasses, their culture reflects a smaller village lifestyle. Today about 40 different native Polynesian languages are spoken across the region. The economies of all Polynesian countries are very small when compared to global standards. The tiny size of the nations and their low population count often mean that they are dependant on foreign aid with many younger people leaving to pursue better opportunities abroad. Some countries have niche industries such as Tonga's tuna fishing and canning.

History

After western colonization began in the 18th century, many native cultures adapted and incorporated modern advancements and beliefs whilst retaining their particular cultural traits. Trade between islands and different groups was an important aspect of all Polynesian settlements, a practice that remains today.

Climate

The climate is tropical and the volcanic soil provide home for breadfruit plants and coconut trees while the white sandy beaches are enjoyed by tourists and natives alike.

Oceania

Adventure

oceanian stone head
Bringing you the best of Oceania

Latest News

Passport boost for activist Chen
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng says he and his family have completed passport applications and officials say they should be ready in 15 days.

North Koreans 'hold Chinese crew'
Unidentified North Koreans holding 29 Chinese fishermen and three boats seized in the Yellow Sea demand payment for their release, Chinese media reports.

Afghan suicide raid kills police
At least six policemen and a civilian have been killed and 13 wounded in a suicide attack on a governor's compound in western Afghanistan, police say.

Fonseka 'to be freed imminently'
Jailed Sri Lankan presidential candidate and former army commander Sarath Fonseka may be freed this weekend, his wife tells the BBC.

N Korea 'resumes work' on reactor
North Korea resumes work on a light water reactor that could be used to support its nuclear programme after months of inactivity, a US institute says.

Malaysia sentences five to death
A Malaysian high court sentences to death five men, including three Mexican brothers, for drug trafficking, reports say.

Bollywood actor defends 'scuffle'
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan may be banned from entering Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium after reports that he was involved in a brawl with the staff.

Australia in cheap cigarette row
The Australian government accuses tobacco firms of directly targeting vulnerable teenagers with a new budget brand of cigarettes.

Magazine sued over 'coup story'
India's Open magazine, being sued for $90m by the Indian Express newspaper, says it stands by its criticism of a recent story in the newspaper.

Four dead in Pakistan air crash
Two Pakistan Air Force light aircraft collide on a training mission north-west of Islamabad, killing two trainee pilots and two instructors.

Chinese gold demand hits record
Chinese demand for gold hit a record in the first quarter of 2012 and it remains the world's biggest market for gold, the World Gold Council says.

China veterans urge Zhou sacking
Communist Party veterans write to China's president to urge him to sack security chief Zhou Yongkang for supporting disgraced politician Bo Xilai.

VIDEO: Five hundred schools closed in Afghanistan
A recent wave of attacks at schools in Afghanistan is forcing the Ministry of Education to close down schools across 11 provinces.

AUDIO: Activist Chen's passport 'completed'
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng says he could be 15 days from having his own passport.

VIDEO: Gaga refused permit for Jakarta gig
Indonesian police have refused to issue a permit for a Lady Gaga concert scheduled to take place in Jakarta next month.

VIDEO: India attempts to prop up rupee
The Indian central bank has been intervening in currency markets to buy the rupee, after it sank to a five month low against the US dollar.

VIDEO: Indian prisoners do Shakespeare
Felicity Kendal visits Indian prisoners who perform Shakespeare, and discovers the impact the playwright has had on Indian culture.

VIDEO: China's 'instant' building
Company in China specialises in building modular high buildings in short time frames.

VIDEO: Facebook 'unlikely to crack China'
China's largest internet portal Sina Corp has posted a loss for the first three months of 2012.

AUDIO: Dalai Lama still hopeful about Tibet's future
Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader tells Today presenter Sarah Montague that he is confident he will return to the country.

Limbless man hits swim landmark
Philippe Croizon, a limbless Frenchman, completes the first part of his challenge to swim between five continents.

Escapee penguin 'found' in Tokyo
A young penguin which escaped from Tokyo's Sea Life Park has reportedly been spotted swimming in waters around the Japanese capital.

Dragons sign Kiwi back rower Taia
Catalan Dragons complete the signing of Newcastle Knights back rower Zeb Taia on a three-year contract.

China media: Maritime disputes
Morning newspaper round-up: Maritime disputes continue to dominate the papers, with Japan and the Philippines in the spotlight.

China anger at Dalai Lama meeting
David Cameron's meeting with the Dalai Lama sparks fury in Beijing, which accuses the UK prime minister of interfering in Chinese internal affairs.

China, Japan discuss islands row
Officials from China and Japan hold talks on maritime issues, with a group of disputed East China Sea islands top of the agenda.

Air India 'staff stole alcohol'
Some staff of India's national airline Air India have been found stealing alcohol and caviar from the flights, aviation minister tells the parliament.

US sanctions Dawood India aides
The US places sanctions on Chhota Shakeel and Ibrahim 'Tiger' Memon - top Indian aides of former Mumbai underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Pakistani doctor home from India
Pakistani doctor Khalil Chishti, who spent 20 years in detention in India, returns to a hero's welcome in Pakistan.

Girl killed in Cambodia protest
Security forces in Cambodia shoot dead a 15-year-old girl who was taking part in a protest against the development of a rubber plantation on farmland.

Russia jet black box part found
An Indonesian team finds the cockpit voice recorder of a Russian Sukhoi Superjet plane that crashed last week and searches for the flight data recorder.

'Terror' croc shot in Australia
Rangers in Australia's Northern Territory on Tuesday shoot dead a saltwater crocodile that had developed a taste for dogs and other oddities, local media report.

Bangladeshi arrests spark anger
Demonstrators and police clash in the Bangladesh capital after 33 senior opposition figures are arrested over anti-government protests last month.

Former S Lanka rebels 'disappear'
Three Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebels who took part in a rehabilitation ceremony may have been taken away by the authorities, a rights campaigner says.

Australia in $300m Afghan pledge
Australia says it will contribute $100m annually for three years from 2015 toward the $4bn a year cost of running Afghanistan's security forces.

Afghanistan - Country profile
Key facts, figures and dates.

Australia country profile
Provides an overview of Australia, including key facts and events

Country profile: Bangladesh
Key facts, figures and dates

Country profile: Bhutan
Key facts, figures and dates.

Brunei profile
Provides an overview of Brunei, including key events and facts.

Burma profile
Key facts, figures and dates

Cambodia profile
Provides an overview of Cambodia, including key events and facts.

China profile
Provides an overview of China, including key events and facts.

Cook Islands profile
Provides an overview of the Cook Islands, including key events and facts.

East Timor country profile
Provides an overview of East Timor, including key events and facts about this former Portuguese colony which won independence from Indonesia in a long civil war

Fiji country profile
Provides an overview of Fiji, including key events and facts about this tropical island and ethnically diverse former British colony in the Pacific.

French Polynesia profile
Provides an overview of French Polynesia, including key events and facts

Guam profile
Provides an overview of Guam, which is home to a key US military base in the Pacific Ocean

Hong Kong profile
Provides an overview of Hong Kong, including key events and facts.

Country profile: India
Details of the key facts, figures and dates.

Indonesia profile
Provides an overview of Indonesia, including key events and facts about the world's fourth most populous nation

Japan country profile
Provides an overview of Japan, including key events and facts about this earthquake-prone country on the western rim of the Pacific.

Kashmir profile
An overview of the former princely state of Kashmir, which has been partitioned between India and Pakistan since 1947.

Kazakhstan profile
Provides an overview of Kazakhstan, including key events and facts about this vast, mineral-rich Central Asian country.

Kiribati profile
Provides an overview of Kiribati including key events and facts.

North Korea country profile
Provides an overview of North Korea, including key events and facts.

South Korea profile
Provides an overview of South Korea, including key events and facts

Kyrgyzstan profile
Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Kyrgyzstan

Laos profile
Provides an overview of Laos, including key events and facts

Macau profile
Provides an overview of Macau, including key events and facts.

Malaysia profile
Provides an overview of Malaysia, including key events and facts.

Country profile: The Maldives
Key facts, figures and dates.

Marshall Islands profile
Provides an overview of the Marshall Islands, including key events and facts.

Micronesia profile
Provides an overview of Micronesia, including key events and facts

Mongolia profile
Summary: Provides an overview of Mongolia, including key events and facts.

Nauru profile
Provides an overview of Nauru, including key events and facts about the world's smallest republic

Country profile: Nepal
Key facts, figures and dates.

New Caledonia profile
Provides an overview of New Caledonia, including key events and facts

New Zealand profile
Provides an overview of New Zealand, including key events and facts

Niue profile
Provides an overview of Hong Kong, including key events and facts

Northern Mariana Islands profile
Provides an overview and key facts about this self-governing territory politically linked to the United States

Country profile: Pakistan
Key facts, figures and dates.

Palau country profile
Provides an overview of Palau , including key events and facts about this tropical island nation in the northern Pacific.

Papua New Guinea profile
Provides an overview of Papua New Guinea, including key events and facts

Philippines profile
Provides an overview of Philippines, including key events and facts.

Samoa profile
Provides an overview of Samoa, including key events and facts.

Singapore profile
Provides an overview of Singapore, including key events and facts.

Country profile: Sri Lanka
Key facts, figures and dates.

Solomon Islands country profile
Provides an overview of Solomon Islands, including key events and facts.

Taiwan profile
Provides key background, including facts and figures

Tajikistan profile
Provides an overview of Tajikistan, including key events and facts about this mountainous Central Asian republic.

Thailand profile
Provides an overview of Thailand, including key events and facts.

Tibet profile
Provides an overview of Tibet, including key events and facts

Tokelau profile
Provides an overview of Tokelau, including key events and facts

Tonga profile
Provides an overview of Tonga, including key events and facts.

Turkmenistan profile
Overview of Turkmenistan, including key events and facts.

Tuvalu Profile
Provides an overview of Tuvalu, including key events and facts.

Uzbekistan country profile
Provides an overview of Uzbekistan, including key events and facts about the country.

Vanuatu country profile
Provides an overview of Vanuatu, including key events and facts

Vietnam country profile
Provides an overview of Vietnam, including key events and facts about this east Asian country

Xinjiang profile
Provides an overview of Xinjiang, including key events and facts.

Rebuilding spurs Japan economy
Japan's economy grows by 1.0% between January and March

Toshiba halts Japan TV production
Toshiba halts production of LCD televisions in Japan

How to grow a four-metre moustache
Grooming tips from a world record holder

Martial arts the Welsh way
The Welsh director behind Indonesian martial arts hit

'Growing menace' of Australian bike gang violence
Bike gang shootings rock Australian city

China's ageing economic time bomb
How an ageing population threatens China's economy

Stateless Burmese Rohingyas lament India 'hardships'
Burmese Rohingyas desperate for refugee status in India

Dual identities of a princeling
The dual identities of Bo Xilai's brother

Mongolia's fight for new heroes
How Olympic success sparked a sporting revolution

hello,
welcome to Oceaniaadventure.info

Australia & New Zealand

Geography

Separated by 1600 kilometers of ocean, the southern continent of Australia and island nation of New Zealand share much in common - magnificent landscapes, a blending of European and native cultures and are major destinations in global tourism. Australia is made up of six states - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and Southern Australia and two territories - Northern Territory and the tiny Australian Capital Territory which holds the capital, Canberra. Sydney is the continent's largest and best-known city of 4.2 million people, around one-fifth of Australia's residents. The world-famous Great Barrier Reef can be found off the northeast coast extending for 2,000 kilometers into the South Pacific Ocean. Most of the landmass is desert, with over 85% of the species being unique to Australia such as the koala, kangaroo, emu and wombat. Broken up into North and South Islands, New Zealand was originally a colony of New South Wales until 1840. Wellington serves as the capital for New Zealand's 4+ million residents while Auckland is the most heavily populated city (both are located on the North Island). As with Australia, New Zealand has exotic animals, flora and fauna not found elsewhere on the planet. Due to the harvesting of the forests and introduction of non-native animals many New Zealand species suffered or even became extinct, but the government has undertaken an intensive campaign to remove foreign creatures and reintroduce native ones back into the environment.

Politics,Economics and Religion

Economically Australia enjoys the recognition of having one of the world's highest quality of life indexes. Trade and tourism are vital components of the economy but high taxes, tariffs and a lack of a strong manufacturing industry are setbacks. A sporting nation, on any given weekend you could find cricket, rugby and Australian Rules football matches being watched across the land.

History

Both countries were heavily colonized by British settlers in the 18th -19th centuries because of their importance to the Crown's shipping interests (and in Australia's case, as a penal colony). The native population in Australia is Aborigine; in New Zealand, they are Maori. Both groups shared darker moments during Britain's wave of colonization but the 20th century has seen a concentrated effort by the two governments to make reparations for past wrongs. One recent proud moment for Australians was in hosting the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney.

Climate

The driest continent on the planet, Australia's population is mainly clustered around the south-eastern coastline. A mild, cool climate gives New Zealand a magnificent and highly beautiful landscape full of rich green valleys and forests while volcanism has produced dozens of majestic, snow-covered mountaintops known worldwide to climbers.

Melanesia

Geography

A chain of islands located to the north of Australia and running east-southeast into the Pacific Ocean, Melanesia consists of New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Torres Strait Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Palau Islands, Vanuatu and other smaller islands. The second-largest island in the world as well as the biggest landmass in the region, New Guinea is split into two regions at the island's center. It may be the most linguistically diverse country in the world with about 800 different languages spoken by its nearly 7 million people. Rainforests are common throughout the islands and are the home to an amazing array of animal and plant life; new species are constantly being catalogued and hundreds of thousands more are believed to be waiting to be discovered. Volcanism has produced some substantial mountains and hilly regions making ideal growing soil for native crops.

Politics,Economics and Religion

The warm waters are ideal for coral reefs and sandy beaches making it a favorite destination for western travellers. There have been some instances of political unrest within some of the Melanesian nations. Fiji has been plagued with a series of coups ousting the elected governments with the most recent taking place in late 2006. In 2000 the Malaku Islands west of New Guinea saw a flare up between Christian and Muslim groups resulting in many dead and half a million displaced from their homes. Most of the islands have had stable autonomous governments; as a territory of France, New Caledonia is governed by French law.

History

The people of the region encompass many cultures and languages but generally fall into two distinct groups, the Austronesians and Papuans. The former term is used to describe those whose ancestors came from Southeast Asia 12,000 years ago and spread across the island chains while the latter group is native to the region having settled approximately 35,000 years ago.

Climate

Temperatures are warm and the climate is moist producing substantial rainfall in the winter and spring months.