The vast, sparsely populated region of the Pacific Ocean, which covers one-quarter of the Earth’s surface, has been the subject of growing interest in the last few years. It is neither easy nor especially useful to make generalisations about the area and the myriad small islands peppered across it. All have unique features of geography, economy and, not least, political history. Some are genuinely independent, some are internally self-governing with foreign and security policies controlled elsewhere, while a handful remain simple colonies. There are, nevertheless, global political and economic trends that are certain to create a substantial impact throughout the Pacific.

The military influx during the 1970s and 1980s of the Pacific has left the legacy of a large number of airfields, storage depots, port complexes, intelligence-gathering, early-warning and other ‘support’ facilities. The host governments are often in two minds about their presence – the bases put these small nations in a diplomatic straitjacket, as well as offer a series of targets for hostile forces. On the other hand, they are guaranteed military protection and a steady rental income, plus essential economic aid.

But the islands are well aware that they must develop their own economic systems in order to survive in the long term and have focused on principal areas in which they hope to progress. One of these is tourism. Much of the region is currently within reach of the North American traveller but further exploitation of its tourism potential is dependent either on the development of cheaper, faster and perhaps less-polluting forms of long-distance transport to bring the Pacific within reach of Europe, or on a substantial increase in the disposable incomes of the populations of Asia and South America. Neither of these is likely to be realised in the short term.

On a darker note, there are serious concerns on the possible consequences of global warming on sea levels. A number of islands face a serious threat to their land masses. Some, such as Nauru, could disappear altogether – it already has lost one, albeit uninhabited, island. The Pacific islands are consequently an increasingly vocal presence at international forums discussing global environmental questions.