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New
Zealand is situated 1,600 km east of Australia, with its three main
islands extend from latitude 34° S to 47° S. Surrounded by the Able Tasman Sea
and South Pacific ocean, its two main islands cover 266,200 sq km (103,735 sq
miles), slightly larger than the United Kingdom. The country is 1,600 km long, mostly narrow, being only 400
km at its maximum breadth. New
Zealand is a geological diverse country, the most prominent features undoubtedly
being the volcanoes of the North Island, namely Ruapehu (2,797 m), Ngauruhoe
(2,291 m), Tongariro (1,968 m), Egmont (2,518 m), and Tarawera (1,111 m). New
Zealand’s highest mountain is Mnt. Cook at 3,764 metres, situated in the
Southern Alps of the South Island.
The climate has a marked maritime influence. Mean sea-level temperature ranges from 15°C in the north to 9°C in the south. In summer (December-February), maximum temperatures are frequently above 25°C. In winter (June-August), freezing temperatures are common inland, and snowfall often occurs in mountainous regions above 1,500 m. Dense cloud cover and rainfall is a common occurrence, but tends to be short-lived. It is not surprising that the Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means the land of the long white cloud. For more information on New Zealand’s climate, visit the New Zealand Meteorological Service website.
New Zealand is predominantly an agricultural-horticultural country. Sheep, cattle, deer, and diary farming makes up a major percentage of New Zealand’s export trade. The fruit (stone and pip fruit) and wine industry make up a sizable percentage of the horticultural export. Forestry, is a billion-dollar industry, with vast plantations of exotic Monterey pine and Australian hardwood species grown throughout New Zealand. Wood products are exported as whole logs and pulp, especially to Asia.
In comparison to other countries, New Zealand’s mineral resources are relatively poor. Gas fields exist off the west coast of the North Island. Coal measures are present on the West Coast of the South Island, and in the Central North Island. Gold was discovered in the early 1800s and resulted in a short-lived gold rush; it is still being mined in several regions today. Iron sands in Northland are mined for the production of steel, manufactured at the Glenbrook Mill.
New Zealand’s current population stands at 3.85 million, with half of the population located in the upper half of the North Island. Population is mostly of British-European descent, with New Zealand’s indigenous Maori making up 14 percent, the largest minority group. Auckland is the largest city with over one million residents (the largest in Polynesia). Wellington, at the Southern end of the North Island, is New Zealand’s capital city. Other major cities are Hamilton, Christchurch, and Dunedin. As a whole, most of New Zealand is sparsely populated.
English is the common everyday language used in New Zealand. Maori is also spoken, and is an official language.
New Zealand is a modern country with a well-developed economy and a government structure based on the British parliamentary system. New Zealand is a sovereign nation with ties to Britain through New Zealand's membership of the British Commonwealth. New Zealand is well serviced with roads, rail, and airports.
