Final answer:
The Portuguese and potentially other nations are thought to have discovered Australia before the Dutch made their official sighting in 1606. The British later claimed and colonized the region, establishing prison colonies in the 18th century to solve their issue of prison overcrowding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although the Dutch are officially credited with discovering Australia in 1606, it is thought that the Portuguese and potentially other nations may have spotted the continent much earlier. However, there are no written records to confirm the Portuguese discovery. Later, in the 18th century, the British began showing interest in Australia following James Cook's mapping of the eastern coast in 1770, subsequently claiming the region as New South Wales. This new British interest stemmed from the need to alleviate overcrowding in British prisons, prompting the establishment of penal colonies in Australia.
The naming of surrounding areas, such as New Zealand, reflect the influence of Dutch traders, as the name comes from the Dutch province Zeeland. Prior to European exploration and colonization, Australia was inhabited by Aboriginal peoples for more than 40,000 years, who had established their culture and adapted to the continent's environment. Their encounter with Europeans led to a severe decline in their population. Meanwhile, New Zealand was settled in the early 19th century, and, similar to Australia, relations with the indigenous Maori often involved conflict over land.