Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific

Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific takes readers on a journey "down under" to a region full of contrasts, from the frozen continent at the South Pole, to the "red desert" of central Australia, and to the volcanic and coral islands of tropical Oceania. Long a destination for intrepid travelers, this region has suffered from the greedy exploitation of its rich natural resources, often leading to severely damaged landscapes and threats to the survival of its island nations' unique species. Although Australia is a highly industrialized nation with a prosperous economy and is a full partner in international affairs, Oceania's development is constrained by its size, limited resources, and distance from markets. The opportunities for this region's nations must be inclusive enough to improve the lives of indigenous peoples while safeguarding fragile island environments and dealing with the threat of an expanding hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. Book jacket.Darian-Smith, Kate is the author of 'Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780836859195 and ISBN 0836859197.