Oceánia

Oceánia, also known as Oceania, is a geographic region of the Pacific Ocean that includes the continent of Australia, New Zealand, and thousands of islands grouped into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The region spans a vast area of ocean and land, featuring diverse environments from arid Australian interiors to tropical island chains and extensive coral reefs. Its land area is roughly nine million square kilometers, and its population is about 42 million people.

The subregions of Oceánia—Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia—encompass hundreds of languages and cultures. English is widely used as an official language or lingua franca in many countries, alongside local languages such as Māori, Samoan, Fijian, Tok Pisin, and numerous others. The cultural diversity reflects long-standing Indigenous traditions as well as the impacts of colonial and modern migration.

Historically, Oceánia was inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European exploration began in the early modern period. Colonization occurred in various phases by European powers, and most sovereign states gained independence during the 20th century. Some territories remain administered by other nations, including overseas departments or territories of Australia, New Zealand, France, and the United States.

Economies within Oceánia range from highly developed, high-income economies—primarily Australia and New Zealand—to smaller island economies that rely on tourism, fisheries, agriculture, natural resources, and aid. The region faces environmental challenges such as climate change, sea-level rise, and extreme weather, which threaten coastal communities, coral reefs, and biodiversity.