African subregions and the countries of Oceania

Oceania is a group of islands in the south-western and central Pacific with a land area of about 1.3 million km² (the Australian mainland is treated separately). It is divided into Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. There are three kinds of islands: continental (New Zealand, New Guinea), volcanic and coral (atolls). Atolls are low with poor soil, so fresh water and farmland are scarce. Most states are small with few people; about 13 are independent. Copper and gold in Papua New Guinea, nickel in New Caledonia and phosphate on Nauru have been historically important. The economy rests on agriculture: coconut palm (copra), bananas, pineapples, sugarcane; fishing and tourism (for example in Fiji) are growing. New Zealand leads in development, with strong dairy and sheep farming, food industry and tourism. Problems: hard communication between islands, few resources, unemployment and the danger of rising sea level.