Oceania
Oceania is the smallest continent, spanning the Pacific Ocean.
Oceania is a geographical region including Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It is also described as a continent, with mainland Australia regarded as its continental landmass. It is the smallest and second-least populated continental land area after Antarctica, and is home to Earth’s third-largest remaining area of tropical rainforest, which covers much of the island of New Guinea.
- Largest country
- Australia
- Largest city
- Sydney
- First European contact
- 16th century (Portuguese explorers)
Lore & Background
Spanish and Dutch explorers followed, then British and French. The arrival of European settlers significantly altered the social and political landscape of Oceania, and the Pacific theatre saw major action during the First and Second World Wars.
Reader's Guide
Oceania's significance lies in its unique geographical and cultural identity as a region defined by the ocean rather than a contiguous landmass. Definitions of Oceania vary; the broadest encompasses islands between mainland Asia and the Americas. The United Nations uses a geopolitical definition that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, excluding Hawaii, Easter Island, and other Pacific islands that are politically part of non-Oceanian states. Oceania has a diverse mix of economies, from highly developed ones like Australia and New Zealand to much less developed ones like Kiribati and Papua New Guinea. Most Oceanian countries are parliamentary democracies, and tourism is a large source of income for Pacific island nations. The rock art of Aboriginal Australians is the longest continuously practiced artistic tradition in the world. The region's legacy includes its role in world wars and its ongoing classification as one of the major continental divisions of the world.
Did You Know?
- Oceania is home to Earth’s third-largest remaining area of tropical rainforest, covering much of New Guinea.
- The rock art of Aboriginal Australians is the longest continuously practiced artistic tradition in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oceania and what does it include?
Oceania is a continental region centred on the Pacific Ocean, encompassing the sub-regions of Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Mainland Australia serves as its continental landmass, while the surrounding island groups make up the rest of the territory.
What is the largest country and largest city in Oceania?
Australia is the region's largest country by area, and Sydney is its most populous city. Together they anchor the continental and urban core of what is otherwise a vast archipelago spread across the Pacific.
When did Europeans first make contact with Oceania?
Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to reach the region in the 16th century. Prior to that contact, the islands and mainland had been inhabited for tens of thousands of years by Indigenous and Pacific Islander peoples.
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