Chapter 28: Oceania and Antarctica

Oceania is a culture region that includes about 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The three main island regions are Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Papua New Guinea is the largest and most populous country. The main economic activities are agriculture and tourism.

The continent of Antarctica sits at the southern end of the earth. A thick ice cap covers a landscape of mountains, valleys, and plateaus. Although it is the coldest place on Earth, it is considered a desert climate due to the lack of precipitation. Scientists believe that Antarctica contains a wealth of minerals. A treaty allows scientific research, but not the removal of those minerals.