What is Melanesia vegetation?

a) Coastal vegetation grows in sunny conditions. Coconut trees. yams and cassavas are three typical coastal plants. Coconut trees rarely grow above GOOm altitude in Vanuatu.

What is the climate like in the Pacific island?

The Pacific Islands all enjoy tropical weather all year-round, with patterns generally similar across all the islands. Average temperatures throughout the year sit between 72˚F and 82˚F, with relatively high humidity of around 80 percent. There are small temperature variances by island.

What is the landscape like in Melanesia?

The climate of Melanesia is tropically humid. The vegetation comprises forest and jungle, providing resources, shelter, and seclusion for inland tribes. The following islands and groups of islands are traditionally considered part of Melanesia: Bismarck Archipelago.

What is the climate in French Polynesia?

Climate of French Polynesia. The climate is tropical—warm and humid. A warm rainy season lasts from November to April, and a relatively cool dry season from May to October. The relative humidity is always high—generally between 80 and 90 percent.

What is the climate in Melanesia?

The climate of the South Pacific islands is tropical yearround. There’s a hotter, more humid period from November to April, and a cooler, drier time from May to October.

What is the temperature like in the Pacific ocean?

There is a pronounced difference in temperature and salinity between the surface and deep zones of the Pacific. The deep zone, which contains about 80 percent of the ocean’s volume, has relatively stable temperature and salinity patterns; its average temperature is 38.3 °F (3.5 °C).

What are the physical features of Melanesia?

The island region of Melanesia contains many high islands because it is a major part of the “Ring of Fire,” a string of volcanoes around the boundary of the Pacific Ocean. This part of the Ring of Fire is on the boundary of the Pacific plate and the Australian plate.

What are some features of Melanesian?

Throughout Melanesia, people lived in small scale societies often without strong leadership systems. Instead, communities were bound by ties of family and by complex networks of trade and exchange.

Does it get cold in French Polynesia?

In French Polynesia, a vast archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, the climate is tropical, influenced by the south-east trade winds, with a hot and humid season from November to April and a cooler season from May to October.

What are the seasons in French Polynesia?

Although the temperatures are balmy year-round, Tahiti’s winter season enjoys less humidity. Tahiti really only experiences two distinct seasons: Winter brings less rain and pleasant temperatures while the summertime – November through April – can be quite hot and humid (especially December), not to mention rainy.

How many people live in the island of Melanesia?

Demography and Urbanisation Roughly 9.6 million people live in Melanesia, far exceeding the Micronesian and Polynesian subregions of 526,000 and 684,000 people respectively. The United Nations Population Division has projected that in the next 15 years the Melanesian population will grow to nearly 12.5 million people.

Why is Melanesia important to the South Pacific?

Melanesia, the biggest sub-region in the South Pacific, includes Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru and New Caledonia. Due to its geographical proximity, Melanesia is Australia’s immediate neighbour and is fundamental to regional stability, a major strategic interest for Australia.

How are the Melanesian islands affected by natural disasters?

The Melanesian islands are susceptible to natural disasters, particularly tropical cyclones, tsunamis, floods, and tidal abnormalities. Regional projections suggest that there may be a decrease in the number of tropical cyclones throughout the 21 st century; however, tropical cyclones are expected to increase in intensity.

What’s the weather like in the Solomon Islands?

There’s a hotter, more humid period from November to April, and a cooler, drier time from May to October. The countries closer to the equator (Samoa, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands) are generally warmer than those further south (Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Cook Islands). Interested in more detailed Weather and Climate information?