Comprised of an extensive array of islands, archipelagoes, and Australia, Oceania is a culturally, geographically, and biologically diverse region marked by distinct cultures developed over centuries of oceanic exploration and the eventual colonization of Australia by the British. Europeans first explored the area in the sixteenth century with Portuguese expeditions that reached the Tanimbar Islands west of Papua New Guinea. Captain James Cook would conduct more extensive expeditions throughout Oceania during the eighteenth century and is credited with being the first European Hawaii. The region has a unique blend of economies from major markets in Australia to society that remain largely agrarian and less modern. Further development would occur throughout the twentieth century as the Pacific Theater of World War II caused the extensive establishment of US Naval, Air Force, and Army bases in strategic points across Indonesia and smaller islands that aimed to defeat Japanese forces. Polynesians were granted French citizenship in 1946 following the conclusion of the war and changed the island's status to overseas territory of French Polynesia. The Pacific Islands Forum spawned from the South Pacific Forum in 2000 and represented the political interests of the smaller island nations on a global level. The Central Intelligence Agency began producing geopolitical maps in 1941, and these depictions are considered the most accurate representations. Political and military leaders utilize them to develop policy and strategy. This is an immediately recognizable piece of modern cartographical history that illustrates one of the most unique regions on the planet.Our museum quality giclee print comes printed with archival ink on premium heavyweight matte paper.
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