Leslie Massey
Australia is often considered a continent due to its size, but it is also sometimes viewed as a Pacific Island or as both a continent and an island. The Pacific Islands are a group of more than 20,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean, including New Guinea, New Zealand, and numerous other archipelagos and island nations. The islands north and east of Australia and south of the equator are collectively known as Melanesia, while other islands in the Pacific form part of Micronesia and Polynesia. The closest island nations to Australia are those that are part of Melanesia, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Australia is a Pacific island
Australia is the only piece of land in the Pacific large enough to be considered a continent. However, it is sometimes referred to as a Pacific island. This is due to the fact that, geographically, it is an island. It is also a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum, which is the main governing body for the Oceania region. The Pacific Islands Forum includes all sovereign Pacific Island nations.
In his 1879 book, Australasia, British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace commented that geographers commonly used Oceania to refer to the Pacific islands, with Australia as its central landmass. He noted that Oceania was one of the six major divisions of the world. The Oxford Handbook of World History (2011) describes Oceania as often being treated as a marginal region in world history. In most non-English-speaking countries, Oceania is treated as a continent, and Australia is only seen as an island nation. In other non-English-speaking countries, Australia and Eurasia are regarded as continents, and Asia, Europe, and Oceania are considered "parts of the world".
In the 19th century, geographers divided Oceania into mostly racially based subdivisions: Australasia, Malesia (encompassing the Malay Archipelago), Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The Pacific Islands region covers more than 300,000 square miles (800,000 square km) of land, of which New Zealand and the island of New Guinea make up approximately nine-tenths. It is a mixture of independent states, associated states, integral parts of non-Pacific Island countries, and dependent states.
The Pacific Islands Forum deals with trade and defence issues, and includes members such as the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, and Tonga, as well as dependencies of other nations, such as American Samoa, French Polynesia, and Guam. Islands that are fully integrated into other nations, including Easter Island (Chile) and Hawaii (United States), have also shown interest in joining.
Homeopathy: Australia's Ban on Alternative Medicine
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia is a continent
Australia is also sometimes referred to as an island continent, surrounded by oceans. This is because the country of Australia is mostly on a single landmass and comprises most of the continent. The continent is situated in the geographical region of Oceania, specifically in the subregion of Australasia.
Historically, the term Oceania was used to refer to a "great division" of the world, which included the insular Pacific area between Asia and the Americas. In the 19th century, geographers divided Oceania into mostly racially-based subdivisions: Australasia, Malaysia (encompassing the Malay Archipelago), Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Today, the term Oceania often refers to the region encompassing the Australian continent, Zealandia, and various islands in the Pacific Ocean that are not included in the seven-continent model. These islands include American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna, among others.
While Australia is considered a continent, it is also a part of the larger region of Oceania, which includes other continental landmasses and islands.
Sailing Challenge: Iceland to Australia Distance Explored
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum
Australia is geographically considered a Pacific island, and it is a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The PIF is an intergovernmental organisation that was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum. It changed its name in 1999 to be more inclusive of the Forum's Oceania-spanning membership of both north and south Pacific island countries, including Australia.
The PIF's mission is to support forum member governments and enhance the economic and social well-being of the people of the South Pacific. It does this by fostering cooperation between governments and international agencies and representing the interests of forum members. The Forum works alongside the existing South Pacific Commission, which is a developmental organisation whose members include Australia and other islands that are not politically part of other countries.
The Pacific Islands Forum comprises 18 members, including Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Australia and New Zealand are generally larger and wealthier than the other countries in the Forum, with Australia's population being around twice that of the other members combined and its economy being five times larger. They are significant aid donors and big markets for exports from the other island countries.
The Forum has been involved in regional peacekeeping and stabilisation operations in other states, such as the Solomon Islands and Nauru. Australia has attempted to convince Pacific Island nations not to pull out of the Forum, emphasising the need for Pacific unity.
Kinder Chocolate: Gluten-Free in Australia?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia is a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum
Australia is geographically part of the Pacific Islands and is considered a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The PIF is the region's principal political grouping, and it was established in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum. The organisation aims to enhance cooperation among countries and territories of Oceania, including the formation of a trade bloc and regional peacekeeping operations.
The Pacific Islands Forum was formed from a proposal by Cook Islander Premier Albert Henry for a political forum to work alongside the existing South Pacific Commission. The idea was supported by other newly independent island nations, and they agreed to meet and discuss a permanent body. The first meeting of the South Pacific Forum was initiated by New Zealand and held in Wellington from 5–7 August 1971. Attendees included the President of Nauru, the Prime Ministers of Western Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji, the Premier of the Cook Islands, the Australian Minister for External Territories, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
The Pacific Islands Forum now includes all sovereign Pacific Island nations, such as the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, and Tonga. It also includes dependencies of other nations, such as American Samoa, French Polynesia, and Guam. Australia is generally larger and wealthier than the other countries that make up the rest of the Forum, with its population being about twice that of the other members combined and its economy being more than five times larger. As such, Australia is a significant aid donor and a big market for exports from the other island countries.
Australia contributes significantly to the PIF's budget and has participated in regional peacekeeping and stabilisation operations in other states, notably in the Solomon Islands (since 2003) and Nauru (2004–2009). Australia has also attempted to prevent several Pacific Island nations from withdrawing from the PIF.
Homework: Bane or Boon for Australian Students?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Island [Limited Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91LYMsvoz-L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Australia is a large exporter
While Australia is often considered a continent, it is also viewed as a Pacific Island or as both a continent and a Pacific Island. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, which is the main governing body for the Oceania region.
Australia's exports also extend to the Pacific Islands, which have developing economies with a focus on agriculture, fishing, services, and mining. While the Pacific Islands' imports generally exceed their exports, they export frozen or canned fish, minerals, copra, cocoa, coffee, tea, and spices. Tourism is another important aspect of the Pacific Islands' economy, with countries like Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu attracting visitors with their pristine beaches, coral reefs, and rich cultural heritage.
Australia's role as a large exporter is evident through its significant trade within the Asian market, its top export of iron ore, and its diverse range of other exports. Its economic growth and involvement in the Pacific Islands further solidify its position as a major exporter on a global scale.
Australians and the Penalty for Not Voting
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
New Guinea is the largest island in the Pacific and is shared by Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Australia is considered a Pacific Island by some. It is a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum and is interpreted by some as the largest Pacific Island. However, some definitions of the Pacific Islands exclude Australia.
Other Pacific Islands near Australia include New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands.
Some Pacific Island nations that are independent countries include Fiji and Tonga.
Some Pacific Island nations that are territories of other countries include American Samoa (US), French Polynesia (France), and Guam (US).
