Oceania is a region made up of four main areas: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It stretches across both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. In total, Oceania covers about 3.5 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) and is home to around 46.3 million people as of 2024. It is the smallest continent by land area and the second least populated, after Antarctica.
Many of these island nations face serious risks from climate change, including rising sea levels and damage to their fragile ecosystems. They also hold deep cultural traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years. Though far from much of the world, these countries still play an important global role.
In this gallery, you'll find Oceania’s largest nations. Curious? Click to learn more.