World Cultures

Unit III: S.E. Asia

Name: ___________________________
Date: ___________________

Physical Geography of South East Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica

pgs. 689-692
1.
What is an archipelago and identify an example?
An archipelago is a group of closely packed islands that sometimes form an arch
The Philippines as well as Indonesia are part of the malay archipelago.
1.
What rivers and resources exist in South East Asia? Why is this important?
long complicated rivers exist in SE Asia, allowing many areas to farm easily, as well as the
volcanic activity brings nutrients into the soil.
1.
What is Oceania? About how many islands exist in Oceania?
Oceania is the group of islands that exist in the pacific ocean. No one knows the amount of
islands that make up Oceania, though it is believed to have over 20,000.
1.
What are high islands? What are low islands?
High islands from from volcanoes, whereas low islands are made of coral reefs.
1.
What resource problem exists in Oceania?
Many of the islands consist of poor soil and very few mineral resources.
1.

Describe the difference in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Even though it
has limited natural resources, what has allowed New Zealand to thrive?
The south island has a very mountainous terrain, and rivers running of the east side. the north
island is volcanic and has a large forested area that allows for logging. There are also many
natural harbors.
It is able to thrive because of the large amount of rivers as well as steam beds that can be
used to generate energy.
1.

How is Australia different from New Zealand? (Be specific. What is found here that is
not found in New Zealand?)
Australia is a large stretch of land that has very few mountains, river and forests, but has a
large amount of minerals.
1.

The 5th largest continent is Antarctica. Compare East and West Antarctica (underneath
the ice).
East Antarctica is mountainous area, and west is a group of islands.
1.

What is interesting about Antarctica's ice sheet? What resources may lie beneath?

Antarcticas ice sheet is the largest source of fresh water in the world. There is believed to be
large amounts of coal, minerals, as well as petroleum.

Climate and Vegetation

pgs. 694-701
1.
What sort of climate exists in most of South East Asia and Oceania?
Tropical climates affect much of this area.
1.
What are the two categories that exist in the climate of South East Asia and Oceania?
One category is year round rain that can have temperatures as high as 80 degrees and up to
200 inches of rain a year.
The other category is monsoon seasons. This means that the nations have both wet and dry
seasons
1.
Describe a monsoon.
A monsoon is a wind that brings the wet rainy weather and the dry weather that comes
throughout the year in this area.
1.
How does the climate affect the tropical plants and vegetation that exists in South East
Asia and Oceania?
The vegetation in this area is very diverse because of the wet and dry seasons that come. there
are many different kinds of flowers that exist in this area.
1.

Look at the 5 Themes Box (Human-Environment Interaction). What is Terraced

Farming? Why would this be interesting to historians?
Terraced farming is using otherwise unproductive environment on a hill and turns it into arable
land. this could interest historians due to the fact that the people were able to discover a way
to make land that was believed to be useless have a use.
1.

Describe the climate in Australia and New Zealand. How is Australias climate similar to
South East Asia and also New Zealand?
Australias northeastern region has a humid subtropical climate that brings on average 126
inches of rain a year. Australia's southeastern and New Zealand is a marine climate. This means
that there are warm summers and cool winters.
1.
Why is of Australia a dry desert? What is the outback?
The mountains around the coasts of Australia cause the innermost part of the continent to be
dry. this area is called the outback.
1.

What is the White Desert? What sorts of life lives in it?

The White desert is the a cold and arid area around the south pole. only lichens and mosses live
in this area.