Unit 10Unit 10

Southeast Asia, Oceania and Southeast Asia, Oceania and AntarcticaAntarctica

Most Southeast Asian islands are found in Most Southeast Asian islands are found in archipelagos.archipelagos.

On the islands, a great majority of On the islands, a great majority of mountains were formed from volcanic mountains were formed from volcanic activity.activity.

The Great Barrier ReefThe Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is 1,250 miles The Great Barrier Reef is 1,250 miles long. This reef contains around 400 long. This reef contains around 400 species of coral.species of coral.

This reef can be seen from outer-space.This reef can be seen from outer-space.

The Great Barrier Reef is threatened by The Great Barrier Reef is threatened by modern land-clearing and livestock-modern land-clearing and livestock-grazing methods that cause tons of grazing methods that cause tons of sediment to wash into the sea and by toxic sediment to wash into the sea and by toxic runoff from farmlands treated with runoff from farmlands treated with pesticides and fertilizers.pesticides and fertilizers.

Australia’s Unique Life FormsAustralia’s Unique Life Forms

Invasion of RabbitsInvasion of Rabbits

First introduced by a colonist who First introduced by a colonist who imported them from England for the sport imported them from England for the sport of hunting, rabbits have now caused many of hunting, rabbits have now caused many problems for Australians. problems for Australians.

Nuclear TestingNuclear Testing

An arms race between the U.S. and Soviet An arms race between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the 1940s and 1950s caused Union during the 1940s and 1950s caused many problems throughout islands in the many problems throughout islands in the South Pacific.South Pacific.

The U.S. conducted 66 tests in the Pacific.The U.S. conducted 66 tests in the Pacific.

Colonialism and Its AftermathColonialism and Its Aftermath

Many European nations and the Japanese Many European nations and the Japanese sought control of Southeast Asia to obtain sought control of Southeast Asia to obtain the region’s wealth.the region’s wealth.

The United States became involved in the The United States became involved in the Vietnam War to prevent Communist North Vietnam War to prevent Communist North Vietnam from taking over South Vietnam.Vietnam from taking over South Vietnam.

In 1973, the United States withdrew from In 1973, the United States withdrew from the war. In 1975, South Vietnam the war. In 1975, South Vietnam surrendered and Vietnam became one surrendered and Vietnam became one country, ruled by Communists.country, ruled by Communists.

Also in that year Communist took over Also in that year Communist took over both Cambodia and Laos.both Cambodia and Laos.

OceaniaOceania

Southeast Asian mainlanders reached Southeast Asian mainlanders reached nearby islands by canoes or land bridges.nearby islands by canoes or land bridges.

Islanders died of European diseases, local Islanders died of European diseases, local customs disappeared and islands came customs disappeared and islands came under foreign control.under foreign control.