Countries, Capitals & Currencies Module
Oceania Nations, Capitals & Currencies
Oceania comprises 14 sovereign nations distributed across Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Australia operates its federal government from Canberra using the Australian Dollar (AUD), while New Zealand governs from Wellington using the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Several independent Pacific island states rely on shared currency arrangements: Nauru, Tuvalu, and Kiribati utilize the Australian Dollar as legal tender without domestic central banks, whereas Niue and the Cook Islands use the New Zealand Dollar. Papua New Guinea, the largest Pacific island state by land area, circulates the Kina (PGK) from Port Moresby. Fiji operates the Fijian Dollar (FJD) from Suva, and Tonga issues the Paʻanga (TOP) from Nukuʻalofa.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- Canberra was selected as Australia's compromise federal capital in 1908, situated between rival cities Sydney and Melbourne.
- Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Nauru utilize the Australian Dollar (AUD) as legal tender without maintaining independent domestic central banks.
- Papua New Guinea introduced the Kina (PGK) on April 19, 1975, replacing the Australian dollar prior to full national independence.
Curriculum & Reference Sources: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Reserve Bank of Australia, Reserve Bank of New Zealand