Australia is the world's leading wool producer. Minerals have overtaken agricultural produce as an export earner - iron ore, bauxite, nickel, uranium, gold, zinc, coal, petroleum and natural gas. Tourism continues to grow.
Cook Islands
Population
20,407
Capital
Avarua on Rarotonga
Language
English, Maori
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic
General
A group of coral atolls and volcanic islands in the south-west Pacific Ocean. The main island is Rarotonga. Tourism is important to the economy.
Fiji
Population
823,376
Capital
Suva
Language
English, Fijian, Hindustani
Religion
Hindi Protestant, Hindu, Roman Catholic, Sunni Muslim
General
Fiji comprises two main islands of volcanic origin and over 300 smaller islands in the south Pacific Ocean. The climate is tropical and the economy is based on agriculture (chiefly sugar - the main export), fishing, forestry, gold mining and tourism.
Kiribati
Population
87,025
Capital
Tarawa
Language
I-Kiribati (Gilbertese), English
Religion
Roman Catholic, Protestant, Baha'i, Mormon
General
Kiribati comprises 32 coral islands, which straddle the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The climate is hot and wetter in the north.
Nauru
Population
11,000
Capital
Nauru
Language
Nauruan, English
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic
General
Nauru is a coral island in the South Pacific Ocean, with a fertile coastal strip, barren central plateau and a tropical climate. The economy is based on phosphate mining.
New Zealand
Population
3,817,000
Capital
Wellington
Language
English, Maori
Religion
Roman Catholic, Protestant
General
Consists of two main islands separated by Cook Strait. Farming is the mainstay of the economy. New Zealand is one of the world's leading producers of meat, wool and dairy products. Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner.
Niue
Population
2,000
Capital
Alofi
Language
English, Poynesian (Niuean)
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic
General
Niue has steep limestone cliffs along the coast and central plains. The climate is tropical, modified by south-east trade winds. The economy consists mainly of small factories to process passionfruit, lime oil, honey and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue.
Norfolk Island
Population
1,912
Capital
Kingston
Language
English
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic
General
Tourism is the major industry. Climate is sub-tropical with annual rainfall of 1,200mm falling mainly in winter.
Papua New Guinea
Population
4,200,000
Capital
Port Moresby
Language
English (official) and Tok Pisin (Pidgin); 715 indigenous languages
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic, many local beliefs
General
Papua New Guinea has a forested and mountainous interior bordered by swampy plains; and a tropical monsoon climate. Most of the workforce are farmers. Timber, copra, coffee and cocoa are important, but exports are dominated by minerals, chiefly copper and gold.
Samoa
Population
235,302
Capital
Apia
Language
Samoan, English
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic, Mormon
General
Samoa consists of two main islands and seven small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The economy is based on agriculture, with some fishing and light manufacturing. Traditional exports are coconut products, timber, taro, cocoa and fruit.
Solomon Islands
Population
470,000
Capital
Honiara
Language
English, Melanesian, Pidgin, 120 indigenous languages
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic
General
The six main islands are volcanic, mountainous and forested. The climate is hot and humid. Subsistence farming and fishing predominate. Exports include fish, timber, copra and palm oil.
Tonga
Population
109,959
Capital
Nuku'alofa
Language
Tongan, English
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic, Mormon
General
Tonga comprises some 170 islands in the south Pacific Ocean. The climate is warm with good rainfall, and the economy relies heavily on agriculture. Exports include coconut products, root crops, bananas and vanilla. Fishing, tourism and light industry are increasingly important.
Tuvalu
Population
12,000
Capital
Funafuti
Language
Tuvaluan, English (official)
Religion
Protestant
General
Tuvalu comprises nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. One-third of the population lives on Funafuti and most people depend on subsistence farming and fishing. The islands export copra, stamps and clothing.
Vanuatu
Population
192,848
Capital
Port Vila
Language
English, Bislama (English Creole), French (all official)
Religion
Protestant, Roman Catholic, traditional beliefs.
General
Vanuatu occupies an archipelago of some 80 islands in Oceania. The climate is tropical with heavy rainfall. The majority of people live by farming. Copra, beef, Seashells, cocoa and timber are the main exports. Tourism is growing.
