SafekipediaAustralasia
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Australasia is a special part of the world that includes Australia, New Zealand, and sometimes New Guinea and nearby islands. It is part of a larger area called Oceania, which has many beautiful islands in the Pacific Ocean. People use the word "Australasia" in different ways, like when they talk about countries or when they study plants, animals, and landforms.
This area is interesting because it has unique wildlife and landscapes. For example, Australia is home to animals like kangaroos and koalas that you won’t find easily elsewhere. New Zealand has amazing mountains and volcanoes, plus famous islands like the ones in Polynesia. The way people live, speak, and connect in Australasia shows both similarities and differences that help us learn more about the world.
Australasia matters because it plays an important role in global trade, culture, and the environment. The countries here work together on issues like protecting the ocean and sharing knowledge. Learning about Australasia helps us appreciate the diversity of life and ideas on our planet.
Derivation and definitions
The term "Australasia" was first used by Charles de Brosses in 1756. He made it from a Latin word meaning "south of Asia". At first, it talked about places south of Asia, like the Australian colonies and New Zealand.
Today, "Australasia" can mean different things. In Australia, it often includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and nearby Pacific islands. In New Zealand, it might just mean Australia and New Zealand. Some dictionaries say it also includes Melanesia, which is a group of islands in the Pacific.
Demographics
Australasia has many people living there. Australia is the biggest country in the area. New Zealand is also in Australasia. It is far to the southeast of Australia in the Pacific Ocean. The region has many islands, like those close to New Guinea. These islands are sometimes included in Australasia. The plants, animals, and languages in these lands are often similar, which makes the area interesting to learn about.
| Flag | Name of region, followed by countries | Area (km2) | Population (2021) | Population density (per km2) | Capital | ISO 3166-1 | ISO 3166-2:ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Australia) | 199 | —N/a | ||||
| Australia | 7,686,850 | 25,921,089 | 3.1 | Canberra | AU | —N/a |
 | Central Papua (Indonesia) | 61,073 | —N/a | Wanggar | —N/a | PT | |
 | Christmas Island (Australia) | 135 | 1,692 | 12.5 | Flying Fish Cove | CX | —N/a |
 | Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia) | 14 | 593 | 42.4 | West Island | CC | —N/a |
| Coral Sea Islands (Australia) | 10 | 4 | 0.4 | —N/a | ||
 | Highland Papua (Indonesia) | 51,213 | —N/a | Jayawijaya | —N/a | PE | |
 | New Zealand | 268,680 | 5,129,727 | 17.3 | Wellington | NZ | —N/a |
 | Norfolk Island (Australia) | 35 | 2,302 | 65.8 | Kingston | NF | —N/a |
 | Papua (Indonesia) | 82,681 | —N/a | Jayapura | —N/a | PA | |
 | Papua New Guinea | 462,840 | 9,949,437 | 22 | Port Moresby | PG | —N/a |
 | South Papua (Indonesia) | 117,849 | —N/a | Salor | —N/a | PS | |
 | Southwest Papua (Indonesia) | 39,123 | —N/a | Sorong | —N/a | PD | |
 | West Papua (Indonesia) | 60,275 | —N/a | Manokwari | —N/a | PB | |
| Australasia (total) | 8,418,763 | 42,836,966 | 5.1 | —N/a | |||
Images
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Australasia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.