A visitors guide to New Zealand – Part 2
December 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourists Attractions
New Zealand, in the South Pacific, consists of two large islands and other smaller islands with an area of more than 270 000 sq.km. North Island has a warm climate and there is quite a lot of volcanic activity. South Island is cooler and has a higher rainfall. In the South Island there are the Southern Alps with Mount Cook (3754 m) which is the highest mountain in New Zealand.
New Zealand is a democrtic country with its own parliament. However, it is part of the official head of state is Elizabeth II, the queen of England, Scotland and Wales. New Zealand was the first country in teh world that gave the vote to women in 1893, to have old age pensions and the eight-hour working day.
New Zealand has some industry but agriculture is more important-there are 55 million sheep, 8 million cows and 1 million goats in New Zealand.
New Zeland was cut off from the rest of the land on Earth for 80 million years and thetefore it has some unique animals and plants. For instance, the tuatara is reptile that has survived from the era of the dinosaurs. The weta is the largest and heaviest insect in the world and the kiwi (the symbol of New Zealand) is a large bird which cannot fly.
Population in New Zealand is as follows:80 % of teh 3.6 million people are of European (mainly British)origin. Around 9% of the population are Maoris who come to New Zealand from Polynesia in the 13th and 14th centuries. The two official languages in the country are English and Maori.
New Zealanders who are also known as “Kiwis” are relaxed people who love the oldest life. It is not surprising that New Zealand is successful at many sports. Its national sport is rugby and its team “The All Blacks” are often the best in the world. Before every game, the team performs a “haka”, a Maori war dance to frighten the opposing team.
New Zealand has beautiful landscapes. In North ISland, the BAy of ISlands has lovely old forests and beautiful beaches and the Coromandel is perfect for sailing and watersports. Rotorua is the center of Maori culture and has wonderful hot springs. In South Island, the Southern Alps, the West Coast region and the national park of Fiordland all have beautiful scenery.
