Natural Landforms of Australia and New Zealand

📋 Course Outline

1. Australian Landforms
2. Major Mountain Ranges
3. Major Rivers
4. Desert and Plateau Regions
5. Coral Reefs and Islands
6. Australian Coastal Features
7. New Zealand Geography
8. Mountain Ranges in New Zealand
9. Volcanic and Coral Islands

📖 1. Australian Landforms

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Great Dividing Range: A major mountain range running parallel to the eastern coast of Australia, originating from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to the southern parts of Victoria. It is the highest mountain range in Australia, with Mount Kosciuszko as its highest peak at 2,228 meters.

• Desert Plateaus: Large, arid, elevated land areas characterized by sparse vegetation, found mainly in central and western Australia. These areas include the Great Victoria Desert, Gibson Desert, and Great Sandy Desert, formed by ancient, weathered, and eroded land.

• Coral Reefs: Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. The Great Barrier Reef, off the northeastern coast of Queensland, is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching about 2,000 km and hosting diverse marine life.

• Coastal Inlets and Bays: Indented coastlines with large bays and inlets, such as the Carpentaria Gulf in the north and the Great Australian Bight in the south, shaped by erosion and sea-level changes, providing important habitats and navigation routes.