New Zealand geographical location in English. Geographical location of New Zealand

Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented in the country by Governor General Jerry Mateparai

Form of government: Constitutional monarchy

Geographical location: New Zealand is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Northern and South Island and, the constituent states are separated by the Cook Strait. Australia is located northwest of New Zealand, separated by the Tasman Sea. Washed by the Pacific Ocean.

Territory: 268,680 sq km

Population(2010 estimate) 4 million 377 thousand people.

Capital: Wellington

Largest city: Auckland

Official language: English language, Maori language and New Zealand Sign Language (almost the entire population of New Zealand uses English, but for New Zealanders, learning the Maori language is a compulsory subject in school. New Zealand Sign Language - used by deaf people).

Religion: about half of New Zealand's population is Christian (mostly Catholic)

Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Dialing code:+64

Time: in New Zealand 7 hours later than in Moscow

Climate: New Zealand is located in a temperate climate zone (except for the northern part North Island, which is located in the subtropical zone). In Auckland in January the temperature rises to +23 degrees, and in July drops to +13 degrees. In the center of the country in Wellington, the temperature is lower; in summer there is usually no more than +20 degrees, and in winter about +7.

Holidays

  • January 1-2 - New Year.
  • February 6 is Waitangi Day (celebration of the signing of the peace treaty in 1840 between Europeans and Maori).
  • April 25 is ANZAC Day. Day of remembrance of all those killed in world wars. The name of the holiday comes from the first letters: Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, translated as Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
  • March-April (date changes annually) - Easter.
  • The first Monday in June is the Queen's Birthday.
  • The third Monday in October is Labor Day.
  • December 25 - Christmas.

Visa Russian citizens require a visa to visit New Zealand. Visa-free transit is not permitted.

Entry rules. Customs regulations.

The import and export of currency is not limited. There are very strict controls upon entry into New Zealand, specially trained dogs and electronic devices can be used for inspection.

You can import duty-free (for persons over 17 years old) no more than 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars), no more than 4.5 liters of wine or beer, no more than 1.125 liters of strong alcoholic beverages, personal consumption goods worth no more than 700 New Zealand dollars.

It is possible to import pets from Russia, but this is a rather complicated procedure (before entering New Zealand, the pet must spend 6 months in quarantine in one of the countries where there is no rabies virus, after which it is necessary to obtain a special certificate and only then enter New Zealand).
It is prohibited to export products of animal origin (skins, corals, plants).

Main attractions

Wellington City Gallery has been around for over 30 years. Over the years, the gallery has hosted exhibitions of the most famous artists around the world. The gallery's exhibition program is constantly changing.

Parliament buildings, which can also be visited by tourists, are an interesting complex of buildings, which also include the Parliamentary Library. Interesting architectural designs include the Houses of Parliament, the Executive Wing, the Library and Bowen House, a modern office building.

Wellington Zoo- the oldest zoo in New Zealand, opened more than 100 years ago. At the zoo you can see antelopes, baboons, ostriches, various species of monkeys, New Zealand kiwi birds, lions, tigers and many other representatives of the animal world. During a tour of the zoo you can learn about all the features of life at the zoo.

Auckland Art Gallery is located in the very center of the city. It consists of two buildings - the Main Gallery and the New Gallery. In the Main Gallery building you can get acquainted with the art of New Zealand and the entire Pacific region, and the New Gallery presents the work of contemporary artists.

Sky Tower, which means Sky Tower, a radio tower located in the city of Auckland. The tower, whose height is 328 meters, is the tallest building in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Also the Sky Tower is observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the city. There are cafes and restaurants in the tower. One of the restaurants rotates 360 degrees around its axis in an hour; it is located at an altitude of 190 meters. At an altitude of 186 meters there is a small area for the most daring; the floor here is made of glass, meaning you can look straight down.

Form of government and territorial structure. A unitary state within the Commonwealth, consisting of 93 counties. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The legislative body is a unicameral parliament (House of Representatives). Capital: Wellington (331 thousand people).

The settlement of New Zealand by Polynesian Maoris occurred in the Middle Ages. They got here across the expanses of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of kilometers away, using rowing ships. In 1840, representatives of the British government signed a treaty with the Maori leaders, according to which they agreed to join Britain. At the same time, indigenous people received a certain autonomy and confirmation of ownership of their lands. The country was declared a British colony. Soon it was allowed to transfer land not used by Maori to the British. This led to the Maori Wars of 1843-1872. In 1907, New Zealand received dominion status. In 1931, the country gained independence, but at the same time became part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain.

Geographical location of New Zealand.

Southwestern Pacific Ocean, South and North Islands, as well as smaller islands.

Area: 268.7 thousand km2 (several less area Koryak Autonomous Okrug).

Natural conditions. About 80% of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills. Average temperatures throughout the year: from 5... + 12 °C to +14... + 19 °C. Precipitation ranges from 400-700 mm on the plain to 2,000-5,000 mm in the mountains. About a third of the territory is covered with forests.

There is natural gas, coal, titanium, magnesium, iron ore, copper, zinc.

Population: 4.0 (4.5) million people. New Zealanders of European descent (mostly English) (75%), Maori (10%), Polynesians. Density: 15 people/km2. Average annual increase: 8 people. per 1,000 inhabitants. Balance of migration: +4.26 people. per 1,000 inhabitants. Unemployment: 5.3%.

Age composition:

0-14 years - 22%;

15-59 years old - 62%;

60 or more years - 16%.

Average age: 33.1 years, average life expectancy: 78 years. Religion: Christianity (Protestants).

Urban population: 86%, largest cities: Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin.

Official language: English.

Economy. GDP per capita: US$19,350 (21,740).

Australia and Oceania

GDP structure:

agriculture - 8%;

industry - 23%;

service sector - 69%.

Industry: mining, woodworking and pulp and paper, food, mechanical engineering, chemical, textile. Agriculture: pasture meat and wool, as well as dairy farming (sheep, cattle, pigs), crop farming (wheat, barley, oats). Tourism.

Foreign trade of New Zealand.

Exports: $15 billion (per capita *$3,750). Dairy, meat, timber, fish, machinery (Australia 19%, USA 14%, Japan 12%, UK 5%).

New Zealand is located in the South Pacific Ocean, 1600 km southeast of Australia. Its length is 1600 km from north to south, it consists of two big islands and a large number of small ones, which are located both close to the central ones and at a distance of several thousand km. The North Island (with an area of ​​115,000 sq. km) and the South Island (with an area of ​​151,000 sq. km) are New Zealand's two main land masses; They are followed by the largest island, Stewart (an area of ​​1,700 sq. km), which is located slightly on the South Island.

New Zealand is located in the South Pacific Ocean, 1600 km southeast of Australia. Its length is 1600 km from north to south, it consists of two large islands and a large number of small ones, which are located both close to the central ones and at a distance of several thousand km. The North Island (with an area of ​​115,000 sq. km) and the South Island (with an area of ​​151,000 sq. km) are New Zealand's two main land masses; They are followed by the largest island, Stewart (an area of ​​1,700 sq. km), which is located slightly on the South Island. There are many large volcanoes on the surface of the North Island (including today active volcano Ruapehu) and very active thermal areas, while the South Island accommodates the so-called Southern Alps - a mountain range of ideal peaks along the entire length of the island. Another famous feature of New Zealand is its countless rivers and lakes: especially the Whanganui River and the breathtaking lakes Waikaremoana, Taupo and Wanaka.

Most of New Zealand's flora originated on these islands. These include forests of giant kauri and kohekohe trees, from which rubber is produced; and real rain-forest from rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata trees; ferns and flax; alpine and subalpine herbs; and a great variety of bush plants. One of the most popular plants is the pohutukawa (also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree), which explodes into a fireworks display of brilliant red flowers in early December. Approximately 10 - 15% of the entire surface of New Zealand is covered by representatives of native flora, most of which are listed in the Red Book and bred in national parks and nature reserves.

Interestingly, the local fauna is quite limited, with the only native mammals being bats. However, birds thrive on this paradise. The most common bird species in this area are moepork, tui, weka and kea, a screeching mischief bird that likes to knock over bins and glide right over people's heads. Among the imported animals, even pigs, goats, as well as possums, dogs, cats, deer and the ubiquitous sheep, which are found everywhere in New Zealand, but their rapid increase had a harmful effect on environment New Zealand's coastal waters are rich in a variety of fish, including tuna, marlin, snuppy, trevally and shark; while its marine mammals - dolphins, seals and whales - attract wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. There are 14 national, 20 natural and three marine park, plus two areas protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Program - national park Tangario on the North Island and Te Waihipuona on the South Island.


New Zealand's climate is flat and humid. The difference in seasonal temperatures is small, there is a lot of rain, but not enough sunny days It’s also not felt. However, climatic conditions vary from one region of the country to another. This is partly due to the significant longitudinal extent of New Zealand, resulting in the fact that in its extreme north the climate is warm and humid, without frost, and in the extreme south in the interior of the island it is cold and dry. They also play a role mountain ranges, located in the west and center of the islands and protecting the eastern coasts from winds blowing from the west. In general, the climate on the South Island is harsher than on the North Island due to its distance from the equator, proximity to cold seas and high altitudes. Particularly cold and strong winds blow for much of the year in the highlands of both islands, where most precipitation falls in the form of snow. As it accumulates, it forms glaciers. Almost the entire population of the country lives in areas located below 600 m above sea level, so eternal snow does not cause any concern. On the west coast of the South Island, the climate is very humid, with annual precipitation exceeding 2000 mm. The Canterbury plains are much drier and are sometimes blown by hot and dry north-westerly foehn-type winds, sometimes by cold, rain-bearing southern winds. Throughout the North Island, except for the interior mountainous regions, both summers and winters are mild, and moderate to heavy rainfall occurs throughout its territory.


The state of New Zealand is located mainly on the South and North Islands, separated by Cook Strait, and also includes about 700 small islands, including uninhabited ones in the central region of the Polynesian triangle.

Geographical characteristics

The state covers an area of ​​268,680 square kilometers, and the length of the coastline is more than 15 thousand kilometers. The largest is the South Island, where a quarter of the country's population lives.

According to the latest data, more than 4.5 million people live in the state, and most of them are Caucasians of various nationalities.

Nature

The mountain peaks of the Alps deserve the most attention, among which the highest is Mount Cook, which has the official name Aoraki. In addition to it, on the territory of the South Island alone there are 18 large peaks with a height of more than 3 thousand meters.

The highest point of the North Island is the Ruapehu volcano, which at the moment is active and reaches a height of 2797 meters. The North Island itself is less densely populated, and has 5 of New Zealand's 6 dangerous volcanic zones on its territory...

Located in New Zealand large number lakes and rivers, large and small, there are more than 3 thousand lakes. The largest lake in the state is located in the central part of the North Island and is called Taupo, with a mirror area of ​​616 km 2, the lake is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano.

It is from Lake Taupo that the Waikato River originates - the longest river in the country with a length of 425 km...

In the west, Zealand is washed by the Tasman Sea, separating it from Australia, and in the east, the coast goes around the Pacific Ocean, connecting their waters with the Cook Strait. The state's territorial waters are 12 nautical miles, which is larger than the landmass of New Zealand. In the ocean near the main islands there are many small land formations, most of which are completely unsuitable for human habitation...

The flora of the state includes approximately 2,000 plant species, and the forests on the islands are both subtropical and evergreen. Recently, green spaces have been greatly reduced, since industrial development of New Zealand lands is quite active. natural resources countries. Deforestation has to be restored with the help of artificial plantings.

Natural fauna New Zealand is unique and full of unique species of rodents and birds. Until recently, mammals were completely absent from the territory of these islands, and appeared only along with the process of development of these lands by colonialists. The sea is rich in fish, and has up to 3 thousand species...

The North Island has a subtropical climate, which gradually becomes temperate towards the South Island. The mountain ranges are characterized by a rather harsh and cold alpine climate, and the mountains themselves shield the territory of the South Island from warm westerly winds...

Resources

There are quite a lot of gas and oil deposits on the territory of the state, and there are also reserves of gold and coal. Silver and ferruginous sandstone can be found in some places. The country is rich in deposits of natural metals, lime resources and other minerals. However, the number of minerals is not so large as to become the basis for the economic development of the country...

In New Zealand thanks to good climatic conditions Agriculture is well developed, as well as the food industry and tourism. They are the main sources of income for the state budget. The country actively cooperates with the largest countries of the world, exporting its products there.

Culture

The country speaks two languages ​​- Maori and English. English is used for everyday communication and business meetings, but Maori is officially recognized as the second language, and policy is aimed at increasing its significance for the people of New Zealand in order to preserve Polynesian culture.

Quite frequent interracial and interethnic marriages take place on the territory of the country, which creates a fairly loyal attitude towards the traditions of various peoples in the state. Europeans make up 75% and Maori 14.7%. The remaining nationalities are represented by smaller communities. Most people adhere to Christianity, although other religions are represented in quite a large number...

New Zealand is in Pacific Ocean, more precisely in its southwestern part. The main territory of the state consists of two islands. The North and South Islands of New Zealand are separated. In addition to them, the country owns about 700 smaller islands, which are mostly uninhabited.

Story

The first European to visit the South Island of New Zealand was a navigator from Holland. In 1642, he landed in the bay of Golden Bay. His visit could not be called successful: the people of Tasman were attacked by the Maori (indigenous people), who decided that the newcomers were trying to rob their plantations.

Europeans who arrived on the South Island of New Zealand in the second half of the 18th century found themselves in the midst of wars among the Maori tribes. The indigenous population attempted to attack the Europeans, but suffered serious losses. The British proposed to the tribes that the Maoris paid for their guns in potatoes and pigs.

France also tried to capture the South Island by creating the colony of Akaroa. Today it is a town where street names are still written in French. The same attempt was made by a private English company in 1840. As a result, the British authorities declared the island the property of the British crown.

Over time, Europeans began to make up the majority of the population. The gold rush that began in the sixties of the 19th century turned indigenous people into a national minority and significantly enriched the South Island, while the North was rocked by bloody land wars between the Maori and the British. According to the Statute of Westminster, the North and South Islands gained independence in 1931.

South Island: description

The area of ​​the island is 150,437 km². It is the twelfth largest island in the world. Along it west coast stretches the chain of the Southern Alps. The highest point in the country, Mount Cook (3754 m), is also located here. Eighteen mountain peaks The islands exceed three thousand meters in height.

There are 360 ​​glaciers in the mountains. The largest of them are the peaks of Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman. During the Pleistocene period, glaciers descended onto the Canterbury Plain (east coast) and occupied much of what is now the province of Otago. These areas are characterized by U-shaped valleys, dissected terrain and very cold lakes with an elongated shape: Manapouri, Wakatipu, Hawea and Te Anau. One of the highest waterfalls in New Zealand is Sutherland (580 m).

The South Island is almost a third larger than the North Island. South Island (New Zealand) is inhabited by only a fifth of the country's inhabitants. The eastern half is mostly populated. Here the local population grows wheat and raises sheep. In addition, fishing is developed on the coast; the main commercial fish are sea bass and sole.

Foveaux Strait

This is the place where crabs are caught. The strait is considered New Zealand's oyster region. In the fall, Bluff oysters are collected here, which have an unusual and memorable taste. They got their name from the southern port of the country, which was founded on the site of an early Maiori settlement.

Christchurch

Most large city The islands were founded back in 1848 as an Anglican colony. It was the first city in the country to receive city status in 1856. Christchurch is located on the Canterbury Plain - it is the main agricultural and livestock region of the country.

Climatic conditions

The climate of the South Island is oceanic. IN mountainous areas- rather harsh alpine. Glaciers and snow do not melt here even in summer. The South Island (New Zealand) has western air currents. The weather here is quite changeable even during the day.

The average temperature in January is from +10 to +17 °C, in July - from +4 to +9 °C, in the mountains = negative thermometer values. During the year, from 500 to 1000 mm of precipitation falls on east coast, from 2000 mm - on the northwestern, to 5000 mm - on the western slopes of the Southern Alps. Average air humidity is 75%.

Earthquakes

The South Island of New Zealand is seismically dangerous. In recent years, three catastrophic earthquakes have occurred here. One of them happened in Canterbury in 2010 (magnitude 7.1), it was caused by shifts in the crust of the Pacific plate. As a result, more than a hundred people were injured and more than half of the buildings in Christchurch and its environs were destroyed and damaged.

A year later (2011), another earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 occurred in Canterbury. It became a continuation of the previous one. However, its consequences were more severe: 185 people died and most buildings were destroyed.

In November 2016, another incident occurred northeast of Christchurch. devastating earthquake. It was triggered by a tsunami.

New Zealand, South Island: attractions

This largest island in the country has many interesting historical and natural attractions that attract tourists from all over the world. For lovers architectural monuments We recommend visiting the city of Dunedin, which is considered the Scottish city of the country; in addition, it is often called New Zealand's Edinburgh. It was founded, as you might guess, by immigrants from Scotland. The site of a long-extinct volcano was chosen for it. The city has a unique topography with many sloping streets and magnificent Gothic buildings.

In another major locality Island - Christchester you can appreciate the splendor of ancient buildings in the Gothic style and modern buildings made in the high-tech style. There are also natural attractions here - a huge Botanical Garden, which occupies an area of ​​30 hectares. It amazes with the abundance of amazing vegetation, including exotic ones.

Among the architectural attractions of the island, mention should be made of the Pelorus Bridge, which connects the banks of the river of the same name, which carries its waters through a nature reserve with dense beech forests in which ferns grow.

  • in 1851 it was named by New Zealand explorer Captain John Stoker in honor of the famous explorer James Cook, who visited the island in 1769 and mapped almost the entire coastline, but he did not see the mountain that is named after him.
  • The Northwest Arc is a special weather phenomenon called the “Canterbury Arc” because it occurs only on this plain. This is an arc formed by a white cloud in a blue sky. The phenomenon is caused by a warm and very strong northwesterly wind, better known as norwester.
  • In the center of the island, more than 500 charcoal drawings were discovered on the walls of caves. They are believed to have been made by ancient Maoris. Interestingly, the Europeans who arrived on the island claimed that local residents in those days they no longer knew anything about the people who left drawings of people, animals and some fantastic creatures.
  • There is Larnach Castle in Dunedin. He is the only one in the country. The castle was built by local financier and politician William Larnach for his first wife. English tiles, Venetian glass, Italian marble, valuable species of Roman and kauri trees were used in the construction. Today the castle and its surrounding garden have been restored and restored.

How to move to live on an island?

Magnificent nature, perfectly clean air, a developed and stable economy, social security and a high standard of living are just a few of the reasons that attract tourists to the South Island (New Zealand). Everyone probably dreams of moving here. However, visiting this island kingdom is not so easy. Emigration requires strict compliance with a number of conditions and requirements of the kingdom.

When preparing to move to the South Island of New Zealand for permanent residence, do not trust companies that offer to circumvent the law. In this case, you risk losing money and time. Moving to New Zealand can be done by legal means:

  1. According to the quota for young specialists.
  2. Through in-demand specialties.
  3. To get an education.
  4. By investing in the country's economy.
  5. For family reunification (including spouses).
  6. Upon receipt of refugee status.

More detailed information O necessary documents can be obtained from the New Zealand Embassy in Russia.

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