Melanesia (from Greek "black islands") is a territory that extends from the western Pacific to the Arafura Sea, north and northeast of Australia. The term was first used by Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1832 to refer to a grouping of ethnic and islands distinct from Polynesia and Micronesia. Today, the racial classification d'Urville deemed inappropriate because he was covering cultural diversity, linguistic, and genetic Melanesia and now is used only for geographical naming it.
In addition, countries Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia (which is a French dependency) uses this term to describe themselves because it reflects the colonial history and common regional situation is similar.
In addition, countries Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia (which is a French dependency) uses this term to describe themselves because it reflects the colonial history and common regional situation is similar.
