Oceania is traditionally divided in four regions - Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australasia. These four parts include many islands which are a real piece of Heaven. If you want to make a cruise to this destination, here are some of the greatest islands that you should visit:
American Samoa (a.k.a. East Samoa) is possession of the United States of America in the southern part of the Pacific and has territory of 194.8 sq.km. It covers the eastern parts of the Samoa archipelago and is a part of Polynesia. The highest point is 623 m (at the island Tutuila). The official language is English but is also used the Samoa language. The administrative center is Pago Pago at Tutuila island. The monetary means is dollar of the USA. There is an international airport in Pago Pago.
The country is visited by 50 000 tourists per year. As it is for many Pacific islands, the most attractive things for the visitors of American Samoa are situated in the water. The combination of coral reefs and underwater coral massifs makes the underwater swimming the most attractive way for rest. East Samoa is also a wonderful region for walking tourism.
Papua New Guinea - the country is part of Melanesia. It is situated in the south-western part of the Pacific and covers the eastern part of the New Guinea island and the nearby islands, Bismark archipelago (with biggest islands New Britain and New Irland), the northern part of the Solomon Islands (the island Bougainville and Buka), the islands D'Antrkasto and many others. At the New Guinea island is situated the Central Mountain chain with highest point mount Wilhelm - 4509 m. The southern parts are covered by a large lowland. The official language is English but are also used hiri-motu and Melanesian pidgin. The capital city is Port Moresby (220 000 population). Other big cities are Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Kavieng. The monetary means is kina (K) = 100 toe. There are no train lines. The main sea ports are in Port Moresby and Rabaul. There is an international airport in Port Moresby.
The country is visited by 52 000 tourists per years, mainly from Australia and New Zealand. At the islands there are thousands kilometers of lagoons, reefs, unique underwater world and sink ships from the era of the Great Geographic Discoveries and World War II.
Your cruise through Oceania should continue with French Polynesia. It is possession of France in the southern part of the Pacific. It includes six archipelagos - Society Islands (the biggest island is Tahiti), Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas Islands, Gambier Islands, Bass Islands, Austral Islands. The highest point is mount Orochena (at Tahiti island) - 2241 m. The official languages are French and Tahitian. The capital is Papeete (on the Tahiti island) and the currency is CFP franc. Other big cities are Paea, Taravao (on Tahiti), Paopao (on the Morea island), Uturoa (on the Rayatea island). The main seaport is Papeete and the international airports are in Papeete and Uturoa.
The country is visited by 200000 tourists per year. The most popular and attractive island in French Polynesia is Bora Bora, situated at 230 km northwest from Tahiti. The island offers different ways of spending your time - dynamic sports like tennis, diving, underwater fishing, windsurfing; outing with boats with transparent bottom, cruises with catamarans, feeding sharks…
Federated States of Micronesia (or simply Micronesia) are situated in the western part of the Pacific and include the central and eastern Caroline Islands and the Kapingamarangi atoll. There are 676 islands and the highest point is 791 m. The country has seven official languages: English, Ulithian, Woleaian, Yapese, Pohneipean, Kosraean, and Chukese. The other languages that are spoken in Micronesia are Pingelapese, Ngatikese, Satawalese, Kapingamarangi Language and others. The four constituent island groups are Yap, Chuuk (called Truk until January 1990), Pohnpei (called Ponape until November 1984), and Kosrae. The capital is Palikir, on Pohnpei. The currency is dollar of the USA. The transport is only roads (240 km.)
Micronesia is visited by 76000 tourists per year. There are many places that cause big interest and are very popular - such as the islands Truk and Yap. These islands are paradise for diving and fishing. Very interesting are the sink ships from World War II - they are situated at about 20 m depth. Near the Chuuk Island there is a large lagoon in which there is an underwater museum with ruins of more than 100 Japanese ships and planes from World War II. Pohnpei is the biggest island in the Federated States of Micronesia. This island has unique waterfalls, mountain rivers and incredible flora. The ancient stone city Nan Madol is the most popular archeological object in the Federated States of Micronesia. Pohnpei is also known with the vertical basalt rock Sokehs that is 180 m high and is proper for climbing. The jungle of Pohnpei gives opportunity for walking tourism.
Republic of Nauru is a phosphate rock island, situated in the south-western part of the Pacific, surrounded by a coral reef, with territory of 21 sq. km. The official languages are English and Nauruan. The currency is Australian dollar (AUD). The capital is Yaren which is also the largest city.
Nauru has a hospitable nation and that's why the tourism is very well developed. The country is visited by 280000 tourists per year. The coral reef that surrounds the island and the ruins from World War II are preconditions for developing the diving in this region. The sport fishing is getting very popular, too. Thanks to the big depth of the sea near the coast, sometimes you could catch rare species of fish. The beach Anibar is the best in Nauru but the visitors have to be careful because the sea streams could be dangerous sometimes.
And these are not all of the beautiful islands in Oceania. Your cruise could continue visiting New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Palau. Have a nice holiday!
