Australasia
Australasia
Australasia (pronunciation: /ˌɒstrəˈleɪziə, -ʒə/) is a region that includes Australia, New Zealand, and some neighbouring islands. The term is used in a number of different contexts including geopolitically, physiogeographically, and ecologically where the term covers a slightly different but related region.
Etymology
The term "Australasia" is derived from the Latin words "australis" meaning "southern" and "Asia", hence "southern Asia". It was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes (1756). He used it to refer to the southern continent, then known as Terra Australis.
Related Terms
- Australia: A country and continent located in the southern hemisphere.
- New Zealand: An island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
- Oceania: A geographic region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
- Terra Australis: A hypothetical continent first posited in antiquity and which appeared on maps between the 15th and 18th centuries.
Medical Relevance
Australasia has a unique medical landscape due to its diverse population and unique indigenous flora and fauna. Some medical terms related to Australasia include:
- Australian Bat Lyssavirus: A virus similar to rabies found in bats and flying foxes in Australia.
- Ross River Fever: A mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by infection with the Ross River virus.
- Hendra Virus: A virus that can cause severe disease in horses and humans.
- Melanoma: Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of melanoma in the world.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Australasia
- Wikipedia's article - Australasia
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