Chapter 3, Section 2 Australia and New Zealand : Physical Geography

Chapter 3, Section 2Australia and New Zealand :

Physical Geography

Unique Physical Environments Australia lies between the Pacific Ocean

and the Indian Ocean. New Zealand lies in the Pacific Ocean to

the east of Australia. Both in southern hemisphere

Unique Plants and Animals Many of the animals are found nowhere

else on earth Eighty-four percent of the plants in New

Zealand’s forests grow nowhere else. Almost all animals are marsupials:

animals that carry their young in a body pouch.

Kangaroo

Koala

Moving Plates of Rock tectonic plates: the outer “skin,” or crust of

Earth, is broken into huge, moving slabs of rock called.

Plates move independently, sometimes colliding and sometimes sliding against one another.

They were part of a landmass that included Africa.

Australia’s Physical Geography Earth’s smallest continent

Most Australians live along eastern and southeastern coasts

Australia

New Zealand’s Geography Made up of two islands Landforms shaped by volcanoes

3 volcanoes in middle of North Island are active Mount Egmont is not active

Geysers shoot hot water into the air New Zealanders use this energy to produce

electricity

New Zealand

New Zealand’s Geography (cont.) South Island has a high mountain range

called the Southern Alps Mount Cook, the highest peak in the range,

rises to 12,349 feet (3,764 meters). Glaciers cover the mountainsides.

Compare the countries Population lives on the coasts Important natural resources such as coal,

iron ore, and natural gas Raise sheep, cattle Grow similar crops

Contrast the countries New Zealand is smaller New Zealand has higher mountains Climate