The history of Australia and Oceania is very long and complex, with evidence of human habitation in Australia dating back to at least 40,000 years ago. During this time, many migrant populations from Asia and Polynesia interacted with aboriginal people, leading to a mix of cultures and languages. Eventually, Europeans arrived in the 18th century to colonize the region. Since then, the nations and territories of Australia and Oceania have experienced a tumultuous path to independence, with many of the countries becoming independent in the 20th century. Today, the region is home to several distinct nations, each of which have unique cultural identities and deep historical roots.