Geography New Zealand is located near the centre of the water hemisphere and is made up of two main islands and a number of smaller islands.

Besides the North and South Islands, the five largest inhabited islands are Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, Great Barrier Island, d'Urville Island and Waiheke Island.

New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great Britain or Japan. With a population of only 4 million people it s also gloriously uncrowded. Today, of the 4.4 million New Zealanders ( informally known as Kiwis ), approximately 69% are of European descent, 14.6% are indigenous Māori, 9.2% Asian and 6.9% non - Māori Pacific Islanders. Geographically, over three - quarters of the population live in the North Island, with one - third of the total population living in Auckland. The other main cities of Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton are where the majority of the remaining Kiwis dwell.

New Zealand climate and weather New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine. As New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, it has opposite seasons to those living in the northern half of the world.

Summer: December – February Summer in New Zealand is moderate to hot, with temperatures hovering around degrees celsius. Autumn/Fall: March – May Temperatures during this time are a little cooler than summer but the New Zealand weather can be excellent. Winter: June – August Winter in New Zealand brings colder weather to much of the country, with snow in the south and rain in the north. Spring: September – November Spring brings weather of all types – expect everything from cold, frosty, clear days to sunny and hot.

Main peculiarities of geography: 1. Gentle, sandy beaches to wild, rugged coastlines 2. Mountain ranges to fertile farmland 3. Glaciers of grinding ice 4. Sunken Mountains 5. Geothermal areas and hot springs Возможно, вы имели в виду: Main peculiar ities of geography: Gentle, sandy beaches to wild, rugged coastlines Mountain ranges to fertile farmland Glaciers of grinding ice Sunken Mountains Geothermal areas and hot springs Основные ОСОБЕ ННОСТИ географи и: Нежный, песчаные пляжи в диких, ска листых побережий Горные хребты на плодоро дных сельскохозяйствен ных земель Ледники измельчен ия льда Затонувшие Горы

. New Zealand's high rainfall and many sunshine hours give the country a lush and diverse flora - with 80% of flora being native.

As Maori and Europeans settled New Zealand, they hunted birds.

The tuatara is a unique relic of the past - the only beak-headed reptile left in the world. Every species of this reptile family, except the tuatara, died out around 65 million years ago. Tuatara can live for over 100 years.

The small Hector's dolphin is the world's rarest dolphin and only found in New Zealand waters.

Early Voyagers Over four hundred years before Christopher Columbus and the rest of Europe worried about falling off the edge of the world; Maori people voyaged thousands of miles across the vast unknown Pacific Ocean in small ocean-going canoes and became the first inhabitants of Aotearoa New Zealand. To this day, Maori culture is a core part of New Zealands national identity.first inhabitantsMaori culture

A tradition Maori greeting - the hongi

Urban sophistication or taming the land? Whilst the lure of urban dwelling has ingrained itself on many, there is a sizeable rural population and farming is a major export earner. While the traditional exports of wool, meat and dairy products are still very strong, new products, including Cervena (New Zealand venison), flowers, fruit, biotechnology and wine are now also contributing greatly to our exports.

For many Kiwis, farming is a way of life

Kiwis love the great outdoors Kiwis have developed a passion for the outdoors and delight in activities that make the most of the spectacular landscape. With so much coastline, its little wonder New Zealanders love the water and have own boat. Respected as superior yacht designers, Kiwis continue to dominate on the world yachting, kayaking, windsurfing and rowing scene. Hiking, camping, fishing, bush and beach walks are other popular outdoor pursuits. The more intrepid take to the mountains.

Kiwis love camping in the great outdoors

New Zealander AJ Hackett invented the Bungy Jump

Rugby - New Zealand's national sport