homework encyclopedia

People and Places^275

FIND OUT MORE. Cnidarians 103 • First Modern Humans 362–363 • Islands 42 • Mammals 120–123 • Polynesia 396

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SHEEP IN THE REGION?

New Zealand’s damp climate and rich pasture make

sheep farming the country’s biggest industry. With

over 44 million sheep (about 11 sheep for every

person), wool and lamb are major exports. Australia

is the world’s chief wool-producing country. Its

120 million sheep are raised on huge farms called

stations, where farmers use light aircraft to patrol

up to 15,000 sq km (5,792 sq miles) of land.

WHY IS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF UNDER THREAT?

Each year, thousands of tourists visit the Great Barrier

Reef, causing damage and pollution to what is the

largest coral reef in the world. The fragile reef lies off

the northeast coast of Australia, and is home to a

huge variety of underwater life. Constructed by tiny

creatures over thousands of years, the reef is also

threatened by infestations of the crown of thorns

starfish, which devours large areas of coral in a day.

WHO WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE IN NEW ZEALAND?

New Zealand was uninhabited until the Maori people

came to settle from Pacific islands over 1,000 years

ago. Later in the 19th century, European settlers

arrived in the country. In recent years, there has been

an influx of non-Maori Polynesians and Asians,

adding to this multicultural society. Today, Maoris –

the original inhabitants – make up about 12 per cent

of New Zealand’s total population.

GEYSERS, NEW ZEALAND 3

Geysers are found where

volcanic rocks inside the Earth

heat water in underground

chasms to boiling point.

It erupts as a fountain of

scalding water and steam

up to 460 m (1,509 ft) high.

4 GREAT BARRIER REEF,

AUSTRALIA

The Great Barrier Reef stretches

for 2,000 km (1,242 miles) in

the Pacific Ocean. It is a major

attraction to tourists in glass-

bottom boats and divers, who

come to see the huge variety

of wildlife. This includes 350

species of brightly coloured

corals, 1,500 species of fish,

sea anemones, giant clams, and

many different types of sponge.

4 NEW ZEALAND SHEEP

Since the introduction of

refrigerated ships, New Zealand

sheep have been raised for meat.

Frozen lamb is a major export to

Asia, Europe, and the USA.

WHAT SIGHTS CAN YOU SEE IN

NEW ZEALAND’S NATIONAL PARKS?

Nearly 13 per cent of New Zealand’s land lies inside

national parks. The rugged mountains, huge glaciers,

lakes, fjords, and forests are ideal for trekking, sailing,

white-water rafting, and other outdoor pursuits. The

spectacular scenery also includes active volcanoes,

spouting geysers, and boiling mud pools.

AUSTRALIA

Capital city: Canberra

Area: 7,686,850 sq km

(2,967,893 sq miles)

Population: 21.4 million

Official language: English

Major religions: Roman Catholic

and Anglican

Currency: Australian dollar

NEW ZEALAND

Capital city: Wellington

Area: 268,680 sq km

(103,737 sq miles)

Population: 4.3 million

Official languages: English

and Maori

Major religions: Anglican and

Presbyterian

Currency: New Zealand dollar

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand