Australasia: Difference between revisions
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In the political sense, the term has little utility, as although Australia and New Zealand are both relatively wealthy, predominantly English-speaking countries and alike in many ways, they share little in common with the other nations in the area. |
In the political sense, the term has little utility, as although Australia and New Zealand are both relatively wealthy, predominantly English-speaking countries and alike in many ways, they share little in common with the other nations in the area. |
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From a biological point of view, however, Australasia is a distinct region with a common evolutionary history and a great many unique plants and animals, some of them common to the entire area, others specific to particular parts but sharing a common |
From a biological point of view, however, Australasia is a distinct region with a common evolutionary history and a great many unique plants and animals, some of them common to the entire area, others specific to particular parts but sharing a common ancestry. |
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The biological dividing line from [[Asia]] is the [[Wallace Line]] which represents the |
The biological dividing line from [[Asia]] is the [[Wallace Line]] which represents the boundary between the two [[continental plate]]s. [[Sulawesi]] and [[Lombok]] lie on the eastern, Australasian side of the line and [[Borneo]] and [[Bali]] lie on the western, Asian side. |
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In [[1905 in sports|1905]], when Australia and New Zealand combined its best [[tennis]] players to compete in the [[Davis Cup]] international tourament, the team played under the name Australasia. |
In [[1905 in sports|1905]], when Australia and New Zealand combined its best [[tennis]] players to compete in the [[Davis Cup]] international tourament, the team played under the name Australasia. |
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Revision as of 08:31, 26 March 2004
Australasia is the area that includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and the many smaller islands in the vicinity, most of which are the eastern part of Indonesia. The name derives from the Latin and signifies "South Asia".
In the political sense, the term has little utility, as although Australia and New Zealand are both relatively wealthy, predominantly English-speaking countries and alike in many ways, they share little in common with the other nations in the area.
From a biological point of view, however, Australasia is a distinct region with a common evolutionary history and a great many unique plants and animals, some of them common to the entire area, others specific to particular parts but sharing a common ancestry.
The biological dividing line from Asia is the Wallace Line which represents the boundary between the two continental plates. Sulawesi and Lombok lie on the eastern, Australasian side of the line and Borneo and Bali lie on the western, Asian side.
In 1905, when Australia and New Zealand combined its best tennis players to compete in the Davis Cup international tourament, the team played under the name Australasia.