National Geographic on Australia
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/downunder/
This fine site illuminates the diverse geographic and cultural elements that make Australia unique. Photo essays will give you a window into the geographic features of this island continent. Travel essays by author Bill Bryson will help you appreciate the unique elements of Australian culture. Examples of Australian music, crocodile hunts, and major landforms are easily accessed through links. In addition, a wide variety of maps and links to related Web sites are available.

Embassy of Australia, Washington DC: Australia for Kids
http://www.austemb.org
This site contains downloadable PDF files that require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This informative site explores the geographic isolation of Australia and the impact of its remote location. You will find out about the flora and fauna of this fascinating land. You will learn more about how humans have adapted to the frequently harsh environment. Printable PDF files explore the geography, history, people, culture, and flora and fauna of the country. They will help you understand why Australia is a unique geographic and cultural land. Be sure to click through all the links to access games, recipes, descriptions of language and slang, and much more.

U.S. Geological Survey: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/
Do you want to find out how islands in the Pacific spring into existence as a result of violent volcanic activity? Then be sure to visit this site. Hawaii is not only a paradise for vacationers but also an island experiencing ongoing volcanic formation. This site will help you understand how the islands continue to be formed. You can visit active volcanic areas, watch lava flows in action, and see what happens when molten rock meets cold seawater. Extensive resources explain in detail how volcanoes work.

Answers.com: Atolls
http://www.answers.com/topic/atoll
Here you will find answers to questions about the formation and geographic features of Pacific atolls. Read about Charles Darwin’s theory of how atolls are formed. Learn more about the geographic distribution of these special islands throughout the Pacific Ocean. And use the well-placed links throughout the text to find out more about specific atolls in Oceania.

NOVA Online: Warnings from the Ice
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings/
This is a companion site to the NOVA television show Warnings from the Ice. Learn more about the disappearance of ice shelves in Antarctica. Explore the history of the ice via a clickable timeline covering the last 300,000 years in “Stories in the Ice.” Visit the continent’s extreme environment and its effect on inhabitants in “Antarctic Almanac.” And don’t miss the maps in “Water World.” They illustrate the consequences of the possible meltdown of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Global Warning: Early Warning Signs
http://www.climatehotmap.org/index.html
A variety of environmental groups helped produce this fine site. Use the interactive map to explore the possible environmental problems facing the world because of global warming. Clicking on various parts of the map will take you to photographs, explanations of possible effects of global warming, and signs of upcoming problems. The “For Educators” link offers a companion resource for teachers (the resource is in PDF format and requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Cool Antarctica: Antarctica Fact File Index
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/antarctica%20fact%20file%20index.htm
This privately maintained site contains an extensive collection of resources on Antarctica. In particular, explore the topics under the heading “Antarctica Science.” You will learn more about global warming, the ozone hole, human impacts on the continent, and related topics. Other links will send you off to view pictures and read more about this awe-inspiring frozen world.