There are quotas by "geographic region" (roughly, continent): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa#Distribution_and_lottery_process https://en

There are quotas by "geographic region" (roughly, continent): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa#Distribution_and_lottery_process https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa#Distr... Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and some other islands) happens to have few applicants relative to its regional quota.