Climate and Agriculture

Australia’s northern coast is tropical. This area is used principally for dairy and beef production. The country’s southern region has a Mediterranean climate. Wheat and other cereals and wine are produced. Australia’s interior is desert, surrounded by grasslands where sheep ranching is common. Australia is the world’s largest exporter of wool.

New Zealand’s climate is suited to livestock grazing and ranching, especially of sheep.

Commercial crops from warm Papua New Guinea include sweet potatoes, sugar cane, coffee, and rubber.

The Pacific Islands’ main agricultural products are bananas, coconut, and sugar cane.

Forestry and Fishing

Papua New Guinea and Australia’s major products from forests are wood and paper.

The commercial fishing industry is important to economies throughout Oceania. About 600 marine and freshwater seafood species are sold worldwide.

Mining and Drilling

Australia is the world’s largest producer of opal and the largest exporter of coal.

Countries in Oceania produce iron ore, gold, uranium, and diamonds.

Papua New Guinea also exports copper and oil.

New Caledonia produces nickel.

Fiji’s biggest exports are sugar cane and gold.

Source: Australia and Oceania: Resources
© 1996 - 2020 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.