Countries in Oceania

There are 14 sovereign countries in Oceania, along with several overseas territories and dependencies. These nations are traditionally grouped into four distinct sub-regions: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The region is characterized by its vast maritime expanse, spanning millions of square kilometers across the central and southern Pacific Ocean.

Australia is the largest country in Oceania, covering an area of approximately 7.7 million km² (3 million sq mi). It accounts for roughly 86 percent of the total land area of the continent. Australia is unique because it is both a country and its own continental landmass, bordered by the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Nauru is the smallest sovereign country in Oceania and the third smallest in the world, covering only 21 km² (8.1 sq mi). Located in the Micronesia region, it is an uplifted coral limestone plateau. Despite its tiny size, it is an independent republic and remains the smallest island nation globally.

Sydney is the most populous city in Oceania, with a metropolitan population exceeding 5 million residents. Located on the southeastern coast of Australia, it serves as a major global financial hub and cultural center. Melbourne follows closely as the second largest city, while Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand.

Oceania is divided into four main sub-regions: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Australasia includes Australia and New Zealand, while Melanesia features nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Micronesia consists of small islands like Palau and Kiribati, and Polynesia includes countries such as Samoa and Tonga across the central Pacific.

Mount Wilhelm in Papua New Guinea is the highest peak in a sovereign Oceanian country, reaching 4,509 m (14,793 ft). While Puncak Jaya in Indonesia is higher at 4,884 m (16,024 ft) and located on the same island, it is politically part of Asia. Mount Kosciuszko is the highest on the Australian mainland.