Oceania
Underwater photography of wrecked monoplane in Oceania region. Photo by Milos Prelevic
“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands but a continent that joins to them.”
– Francis Bacon
The Oceania geographic region is surrounded by the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans and includes the Australian mainland, which occupies 86% of the region’s area. New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and other smaller tropical islands that are scattered throughout the South Pacific also comprise the Oceania region, for a total of 14 independent countries and 11 dependent overseas territories.The countries that are included in the Oceania region are: Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru , New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa , Solomon Islands, Tonga , Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The following overseas territories within Oceania are: American Samoa (USA), Cook Islands (New Zealand), French Polynesia (France), Guam (USA), New Caledonia (France), Niue (New Zealand), Norfolk Island (Australia) , Northern Mariana Islands (USA), Pitcairn Islands (UK), Tokelau (New Zealand), Wallis and Futuna (France).
Despite the small composition of the Oceania region there are hundreds of different tribal groups throughout that have shaped the cultural heritage of the various island nations and territories. For example, many present-day Oceania nations were populated by Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian peoples for thousands of years until European colonization. But on Papua New Guinea alone, there are over 700 different tribal groups within the population of 5 million residents.
Sydney comes to life in summer. It is a glorious city, no matter what time of year but in the summer, we have long days, warm nights, hot beaches, and the biggest party in all of Australia: The Sydney Festival.
When someone mentions Australia as a holiday destination, some of the things that spring to mind are sun, sand and maybe the odd Kangaroo. While it's true that there are plenty of opportunities to top up your tan when you're on the other side of the world, Australia is also a treasure trove for those who enjoy watching live sport. Below is a quick look at three must-see events if you happen to be in Oz and fancy watching a few balls being whacked or kicked to get the juices flowing in Australia.
Darwin, the capital of Australian Northern Territory, is one of those places where people come for a visit and often decide to stay. Its diversity is fascinating and local atmosphere seems to always cheer up.
After an 8-year search, Australian rangers finally caught the massive 15.5 foot-long, 1,300 pound saltwater crocodile that was first seen in 2010.
The Galápagos Islands are considered to be part of Ecuador and these islands are along the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The Islands consist of eighteen main islands, three smaller islands and one hundred and seven rocks and islets and together they form the Province of Ecuador, the Galápagos National Park and the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
Swimming with the dolphins is a magical activity that may seem like a dream, but it is within your reach and you can do this is a socially responsible manner--enjoying these animals in their natural habitat, not captivity.
On November 16, 2012, the Australian government pledged that a series of marine parks would be constructed around its coast, in order to protect the vast, and eclectic marine life.
On August 2, 1943, during World War II, the United States Navy boat PT-109, commanded by 26-year-old Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, was struck by a Japanese destroyer in the Pacific Theater. The collision occurred on a moonless night, killing several crew members and leaving the survivors stranded in the water.
South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is a dream for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and wildlife enthusiasts, who take advantage of this destination that can at times be overlooked by other travelers. Whether you think this is your kind of thing or not though, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to travel to the island.
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. We'll talk to Brian Portland Today! Hop across the pond to Australia with contributor Brian Portland who explores the world as an accessible traveler. The main airlines in the nation are prepared to meet a variety of demands for people with disabilities. They can accommodate particular dietary needs and offer wheelchairs, priority boarding on aircraft, oxygen, and facilities for guide dogs. Australia's legal framework mandates that accommodations for individuals with disabilities be made in hotels, on tours, and during travel. All major taxi firms in Australia's capital cities offer wheelchair-accessible taxis. For those with mobility issues, the majority of trains in Australia are completely accessible. Greyhound Pioneer Australia and McCafferty buses, or bus lines, also provide accessible transportation for people with disabilities. In actuality, all forms of public [...]
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Travel writers JS Fletcher and Kathy Newbern will share their experience.
According to a study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the happiest place to live in the world is Australia.
