When I went to school, Australia was considered a continent. A few years ago, I was using a book called "The Geography coloring book" (much like the Anatomy Coloring book, used by nursing students) and noticed that Australia had been changed from a continent to a huge island in a huge Pacific region called "Oceania". I have also noticed in the world tour section of a major bookstore that Australia has been lumped with Oceania. With that thought, I have three questions: 1 - When did the region get renamed? 2 - Why did the region get renamed? 3. Why is Australia considered an Island as opposed to a continent? Thank you. Take care.
Geography - 3 Answers
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1 :
Great question! I didn't know it had changed also. But my guess as to why it is considered an Island not a continent is because Australia is only one country. By becoming Oceania, multiple countries are involved, and Australia is a part of that rather than solo as a country/continent.
2 :
when i was in school we got taught the oceania is the contintental plate of which hawaii, polynesia, micronesia and many many many many other small islands are part. australia is as i was taught a seperate continent
3 :
I live in Australia and, by and large, we still consider ourselves to be an "island continent". Generally speaking, offshore islands, esp. those some ways away, aren't considered to be part of a continental landmass. However, we very definitely identify with a "region" of the south-west pacific called Oceania, and it's really just a name for a group of moderately closely located island nations plus New Zealand and Australia. We actually don't use the term much ourselves in day to day life... .we tend to talk about Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia separately. Having said that, I do recall back in my childhood (over 30 years ago) that there was a bit of a push to collectively call the region Oceania..but it just didn't stick.
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