DK - WOW! The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything

CULTURE

The beliefs, culture, and art of the continent’s

original inhabitants form a rich heritage.

Aboriginal Australians have a deep-rooted

respect for the natural world. The Maoris

of New Zealand practise a traditional

dance called the

haka

. The Polynesians of the

Pacific Islands enjoy a family-centred culture.

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WILDLIFE

Australasia’s best-known native creatures are

marsupials (mammals that hold their young in a pouch), such as kangaroos, koalas, and

wombats. Many birds are also unique to

the continent, including kookaburras and

emus. Some of the world’s deadliest snakes and spiders live there as well.

TREES AND PLANTS

Australasia has many trees and plants that don’t grow anywhere else. About 80 per cent of

New Zealand’s plants are unique, while

nearly all the world’s eucalyptus trees

originated in Australia. The country’s

centre is hot and barren, but trees, plants,

and fungi thrive in the humid rainforests.

INDUSTRY

Sheep and cattle farming has made lush New

Zealand a major exporter of wool, meat, and

dairy products. Rich in natural resources

such as iron ore, gold, nickel, silver, and

diamonds, Australia is the leading exporter

of coal. Minerals such as copper and gold

are Papua New Guinea’s main exports.

SPORT

The climate allows Australasians to make the

most of the great outdoors. Cricket, rugby,

and golf are popular pastimes, while sailing

and surfing are coastal favourites. Preferred

spectactor sports are tennis, cricket, and rugby.

Australia’s cricket side and New Zealand’s

rugby union team enjoy huge success.

Funnel-web spiders live

in eastern Australia, and

can kill a person with a

single venomous bite

Maori tools were

blessed by their

creators to ensure

they worked well

Australia’s thorny

devil is a spiny lizard

that blends in with its

desert surroundings

Religious and mythical

symbols were carved

into the wood of

Polynesian dolls

Aboriginal art

depicts patterns

or scenes from

the natural world

Eucalyptus leaves provide

the main source of food

for koalas

The trunk of the

baobab tree stores

water to survive

periods of drought

PALAU

MICRONESIA

New Guinea

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

AUSTRALIA

Ka

ng

aroo

s

Ko

al

as

G

ab

in

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ruit

PA

CI

FI

C^

OC

EA

N

Equator

Tropic of Capricorn

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