New Zealand Information
About New Zealand
Geysers at Craters of the Moon
Rotorua, New Zealand
Photographer: Kiwi Web Works
www.kiwiwebworks.com
New Zealand is a beautiful little island country located in the Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand is also the World's youngest country.
New Zealanders have a unique and dynamic culture, with European, Maori, Pacific and Asian influences.
New Zealand is composed primarily of two main Islands, the North Island and the South Island. Each island has an amazing mix of scenery that will leave you in awe.
The North Island
Auckland City is the largest city in the North Island, however Wellington City is the Capital City. The Auckland Region has a population of approximately 1.3 million. The Wellington Region has a population of approximately 440,000.
The North Island has a great deal of geothermal activity. Spouting geysers, boiling mud pools and warm geothermal springs are all evidence of the seething power beneath the surface. Silica terraces are naturally decorated with a kaleidoscope of colours. Hike a volcano, swim in a stunning crater lake or get up close and personal with the many geysers spewing from the earth.
Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in Oceania with a surface area of 616 square kilometres.
The South Island
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Photographer: Kiwi Web Works
www.kiwiwebworks.com
Christchurch City is the largest city in the South Island, with a population of approximately 330,000. Christchurch is known as the 'Garden City' because of its many beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets.
The rugged Southern Alps line the western side of the South Island. Aoraki/Mt Cook is the highest point at 3,754 metres or 12,320 feet. Beautiful snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes and rivers, national parks and so much more are all part of the Southern Alps.
Activities
The awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make New Zealand a haven for many outdoor activities.
New Zealand is home to the bungy, a thrilling experience where a bungy cord is tied to you and you leap from a bridge or other high point. Queenstown, the 'Adventure Capital of the World', has three bungy operations. The Nevis Highwire Bungy is the highest bungy in New Zealand. Leap from a pod suspended 134 metres above the rugged Nevis River, a jump not for the faint hearted!