Author Description

The countries spread over the vast area of the Pacific Ocean range from small islands to the continent of Australia and differ in almost every way imaginable: with respect to population, history, politcal systems, culture, language, religion, and economics. This selective bibliography of nearly 6,000 items concentrates on monographs published during the last fifty years, updating other major bibliographies on the Australasian and South Pacific region. It is directed towards the student who needs specific information about Australasia and the South Pacific and to the researcher looking for new areas of investigation. Both will find numerous references to works about the region as a whole and to specific countries, which are divided into four major areas―Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Each section is further defined by key topics, including art, economic conditions, education, flora and fauna, history, politics, social life and customs, literature, and urban development. A special attempt has also been made to record major reference works and bibliographies for each geographical area and for individual countries.