Oceania

Overview

Oceania is a geographic region comprising thousands of islands spread across the central and south Pacific Ocean. It includes Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Despite its vast geographic spread, Oceania has a relatively small total land area and population, characterized by incredible marine biodiversity and unique wildlife.

Geographic Facts

• 1

  The Great Barrier Reef (2,300 km) is the world's largest coral reef system.

• 2

  Oceania contains the world's smallest continent (Australia) and the world's largest island (Greenland, geographically part of the North American plate).

• 3

  Papua New Guinea has over 800 distinct languages spoken.

• 4

  New Zealand's North Island has the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, one of the world's most active geothermal areas.

• 5

  The Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth at 11,034 m, is in the western Pacific Ocean.

Climate

Oceania has diverse climates: tropical in Papua New Guinea and northern Australia, desert in the Australian interior, temperate in southern Australia and New Zealand, and tropical maritime in the Pacific island nations.

Major Languages

Famous Landmarks

Featured Countries in Oceania

Showing 1 of 14 countries. More country profiles are being added regularly.

Major Cities