According to the United Nations (UN) classification, the continent of Australia is part of the broader region of Oceania, which comprises 14 independent countries. These countries are:
1. Australia
2. Palau
3. Micronesia (Federated States of)
4. Marshall Islands
5. Kiribati (ki-ree-baas)
6. Papua New Guinea
7. Solomon Islands
8. Nauru (now-roo)
9. Tuvalu (too-vh-loo)
10. Vanuatu (vaa.noo.aa.too)
11. Fiji (fee.jee)
12. Samoa (suh-mow-uh)
13. Tonga (taang-huh)
14. New Zealand
The UN groups these countries under the region of Oceania, which includes sub-regions like Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), Melanesia (Micronesia and Polynesia).