Are Polynesia and Oceania the same?

Oceania is a region made up of thousands of islands throughout the Central and South Pacific Ocean. It includes Australia, the smallest continent in terms of total land area. Oceania also includes three island regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia (including the U.S. state of Hawaii).

Is Polynesia a part of Oceania?

Oceania is a region of the South Pacific Ocean that comprises multiple islands. The United Nations divides the region into four sub-regions: Australia and New Zealand (including also the Christmas Islands, Keeling Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island), Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

Does Oceania have 12 countries?

Oceania is a vast region that encompasses Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Ocean subregions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. There are a total of 14 countries and 9 dependencies in Oceania. More than 43 million people live in the region.

What is the difference between Near Oceania and Remote Oceania?

Near Oceania comprises mainland New Guinea with surrounding islands such as the Bismarcks, up to the main Solomon Islands in the east, whereas Remote Oceania includes all islands further eastward, i.e. Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, as well as Micronesia and Polynesia.

Why is Oceania called Oceania?

Océanie derives from the Latin word oceanus, and this from the Greek word ὠκεανός (ōkeanós), “ocean”. The term Oceania is used because, unlike the other continental groupings, it is the ocean that links the parts of the region together.

Which islands divide near Oceania Remote Oceania?

A convenient division of the Pacific consists of Near and Remote Oceania, with the border located between Makira, the most easterly island of the main Solomon Island Archipelago, and the islands of Santa Cruz (politically part of the Solomon Islands), Vanuatu, and New Caledonia (supplementary fig.

What islands make up Remote Oceania?

Remote Oceania is the part of Oceania settled within the last 3,000 to 3,500 years, comprising southeastern Island Melanesia and islands in the open Pacific east of the Solomon Islands: Fiji, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Polynesia, the Santa Cruz Islands, and Vanuatu.

Is the 7th continent Australia or Oceania?

Situated in the geographical region of Oceania, Australia is the smallest of the seven traditional continents….Australia (continent)

What is the difference between Oceania and Polynesia and Micronesia?

There is no difference. Because Oceania is the name of the pacific region that Melenesia, Polynesian&Micronesia are in. Micronesia is above the equator while Melenesia is just below Micronesia and Polynesia lay to the east of Melenesia.

What is the difference between Australasia and Oceania?

Australasia is the regional name for Australia and New Zealand, whereas Oceania is the name given to the combination of Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Where is Polynesia located?

Polynesia refers to the east central region of Oceania. This can be easily recognized due to the triangular shape that it creates. Polynesia includes many islands such as the Hawaiian Islands, Easter Island, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Samoan Islands, Marquesas Islands, Niue Island, Tonga, etc. The name Polynesia denotes many islands in Greek.

What is the meaning of Polynesia in Greek?

Greek Meaning: Polynesia: The name Polynesia denotes many islands in Greek. Melanesia: The word ‘mela’ in Greek denotes black and refers to the complexion of the people in the islands. Micronesia: Micronesia in Greek denotes small islands.