Geography of New Zealand: nature, relief, climate, population. Climate and nature of New Zealand: description, features and interesting facts

New Zealand

The state of New Zealand is located on the large islands of North and South, separated by Cook Strait, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, as well as on nearby (Stuard, Snares, Great Barrner, etc.) and more distant small islands.

The name of the country comes from the Dutch province of Zeeland.

Capital

Wellington.

Square

Population

3864 thousand people

Administrative division

The state is divided into 93 counties, 9 districts.

Form of government

A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State

The Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General.

Supreme legislative body

A unicameral parliament is the House of Representatives.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin.

Official language

English.

Religion

24% are Anglicans, 18% are Presbyterians, 15% are Catholics, the majority are Maori - members of the Christian sects Ratana and Ringatu.

Ethnic composition

88% are European (mostly British), 9% are Maori.

Currency

New Zealand dollar = 100 cents.

Climate

The climate of the North Island and the northern part of the South Island is subtropical, maritime; in the rest of the territory it is temperate. The summer months (November to April) are usually warm, with maximum daytime temperatures in Auckland being +22-27°C. Precipitation in most of the country is 400-700 mm per year, in the mountains - up to 2000-5000 mm. Winter (June to September) is usually mild. It can rain at any time of the year. There is no snow on the plains, but there is snow in the mountains, there are even ski resorts.

The plains of the South Island and part of the North Island are covered with tassek, a type of steppe vegetation. In the mountains there are forests of southern beech, on the North Island there are subtropical forests, which occupy 23% of the territory.

The fauna of New Zealand is quite unique. Some groups of animals (ungulates, predators) are absent here, but there are many feral rats, cats, dogs, rabbits, goats, pigs, once brought by settlers. There are rare flightless kiwi birds, the kakapo parrot, and the rare takahe bird. New Zealand is home to the oldest vertebrate on Earth - the tua-tara, or tuatara, which existed even before the appearance of mammoths.

Rivers and lakes

The largest river is the Waikato. The largest lake is Taupo.

Attractions

In Auckland - an art gallery, the Museum of Transport and Technology, Parnell Rose Garden. In Wellington - National Gallery of Art, National Museum. An interesting thermal “corner of wonders” is represented by the mud volcanoes of the North Island, foamy waterfalls, boiling and hot springs.

Useful information for tourists

New Zealanders are very welcoming and friendly people. A foreigner, having arrived in the country, is surprised that complete strangers greet him on the streets. Everywhere you can feel an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility. The climate also contributes to this: for example, on the Northern Island the coldest months of the year - June - August - are almost identical to April-May in the south of Ukraine. The crime rate is extremely low compared to any other country in the world, and there is virtually no corruption in the government and government apparatus. By the way: government ministers do not have bodyguards or an accompanying retinue, and sometimes you can meet them in line at the supermarket and discuss problems that interest you. Naturally, access to meetings with ministers is open without hindrance. Another practical detail - when in New Zealand, you should not offer tips in hotels, restaurants, etc. - they will not understand you.

New Zealand is a land of green hills and the flightless wonder bird kiwi. The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed here, the north is warmer than the south, and the sun goes counterclockwise towards sunset.

Hatched. Long-term historical isolation and distance from other continents have created a unique and in many ways inimitable natural world of the New Zealand islands, characterized by a large number of endemic plants and birds.

Milford Sound is a fjord in the southwestern part of New Zealand's South Island. Called "the eighth wonder of the world" by Rudyard Kipling.

Steep cliffs reaching a height of 130 meters. Penguins live here.

Penguin guard

Glow worms that attract flying insects into a trap made of sticky threads.

In the limestone caves of the Waitomo region of New Zealand, an amazing phenomenon called the "temptation" of glow worms takes place. In fact, they are a species of fungus gnat found only in a few regions of New Zealand. On the walls and ceilings of caves, these insects form entire galaxies of amazing beauty.

About 1000 years ago, before permanent human settlements appeared on the islands, mammals were historically completely absent. The exceptions were two species of bats and coastal whales, sea lions and fur seals.

Simultaneously with the arrival of the first permanent inhabitants, the Polynesians, to these lands, small rats and dogs appeared on the islands. Later, the first European settlers brought pigs, cows, goats, mice and cats. The development of European settlements in the 19th century caused the appearance of more and more new species of animals in New Zealand.

The appearance of some of them had an extremely negative impact on the flora and fauna of the islands. Such animals include rats, cats, ferrets, rabbits (brought into the country to develop hunting), as well as stoats (brought into the country to control the rabbit population).

Ermine

New Zealand's terrain is mainly hills and mountains. More than 75% of the country's territory lies at an altitude of more than 200 m above sea level. Most of the mountains of the North Island do not exceed 1800 m in height. 19 peaks of the South Island are above 3000 m.

It is he! Of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds, which have become the national symbol of the country.


Presumably, the ancestors of modern kiwi came to New Zealand from Australasia about 30 million years ago. These flightless birds, about the size of a regular chicken, are so different from other birds that zoologist William Calder called them "honorary mammals."

New Zealand is located on two large islands (North and South) and a large number (approximately 700) surrounding smaller islands. The population, according to Statistics New Zealand as of June 2015, is 4,596,700.

Another local resident. This is a hatteria. It lives on several small islands in New Zealand. Hatteria is an endangered relict species and must be protected. It is included in the IUCN Red List and currently has the protected status of a vulnerable species.

There are 129 geothermal areas in New Zealand. This Champagne Pool hot spring is located in the Waiotapu geothermal area on the North Island of New Zealand. The name "Champagne Pool" comes from the constant flow of carbon dioxide, similar to champagne bubbling in a glass. The vibrant colors of the amazing geothermal spring come from rich deposits of minerals and silicates. The age of the source is 900 years.

Native Gray Fantail. One of the smallest and most agile birds in New Zealand.

New Zealand is one of the most recently populated territories. Various types of analyzes suggest that the first eastern Polynesians settled here in 1250-1300 after extensive travel through the South Pacific islands.

Sea lions in New Zealand are among the rarest species.

Reflections of New Zealand autumn.

The kakapo, or owl parrot, is a nocturnal, flightless bird endemic to New Zealand. Possibly one of the oldest living bird species.

These flowers are among the highest living buttercups in the world (over 1500 meters high). They bloom in summer. New Zealand's flora includes about 2,000 plant species.

Weta is the collective name for more than 100 species found in New Zealand. This particular species measures 3.6 cm and is very creative in escaping from predators - it jumps into the water and sits there for up to 5 minutes until the predator loses interest in it.

A terrible predator. Predatory and able to smell their prey in the forests, these snails feed mainly on earthworms.

There are 3280 lakes in New Zealand. This is one of the few countries in the southern hemisphere that has glaciers on its territory (Tasmanian, Fox, Franz Josef, etc.).

Only in New Zealand are the remains of the giant flightless moa birds, which reached a height of 3.5 m, exterminated about 500 years ago.

Despite the fact that filming began in New Zealand back in the 1920s, the film industry began to actively develop only in the seventies of the same century. The trilogies “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”, the films “The Last Samurai”, “The Chronicles of Narnia” became especially famous.

That's all for today

New Zealand is the end of the world, a country about which the average resident of Russia knows little. Expensive plane tickets, geographic isolation and correct government policies do not allow crowds of tourists to explore this island. Therefore, New Zealand still boasts breathtaking landscapes that are not affected by human influence. Still, this island of happy people is worth visiting at least once in your life (and maybe staying forever).

Some facts

New Zealand is an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near Australia. It consists of two large islands - North and South - as well as many archipelagos, which are not always suitable for life. New Zealand's area is 268,680 km², that is, slightly larger than However, it is home to only 4.5 million people.

New Zealand is formally ruled by Queen Elizabeth II, since from the mid-18th century to the mid-20th century, the New Zealand Islands were a colony of the British Empire. But in reality, all power is in the hands of parliament, which, judging by the fact that the country’s standard of living is considered one of the highest in the world, rules quite wisely.

The official languages ​​are English and Maori, and the capital is Wellington. In addition to diverse landscapes, nature has endowed New Zealand with a mild, pleasant climate: in winter the temperature here does not fall below 10 °C, and in summer it rises no higher than 30 °C. Important: winter in New Zealand occurs when it is summer here.

New Zealand's pristine nature

In New Zealand you can see almost everything: from snow-capped rocky mountains to velvety beaches. The calling card of this country is the Milford Sound fjord, which appeared more than 20 thousand years ago. Sheer cliffs covered in forests overlook a crystal clear bay, over which a thin strip of rainbow can often be seen.

The nature of New Zealand is especially fascinating in the national parks, of which there are 12 in this country! On the North Island, you can observe how geysers located on the sloping slopes of the active Tongariro volcano emit colorful smoke into the atmosphere. Not far from the volcanoes is the famous valley of geysers of Rotarua. Here you can take mud baths and take an unforgettable walk along the volcanic terraces. In the very center of the North Island, in the crater of an extinct volcano, there is a site of unprecedented beauty that attracts lovers of fishing and cruises.

In addition to the formidable and fascinating volcanoes, New Zealand's natural features are also fabulous beaches. In one of the South Island's most beautiful national parks, soak up the sand, which varies in color from snowy white to bright yellow.

But New Zealand's nature offers a couple more surprises in the form of glacial lakes, Waitomo caves dotted with fireflies, gently sloping forests and steep cliffs...

Feathered world of New Zealand

It would seem that with such a number and variety of landscapes, the wildlife of New Zealand should be represented by all kinds of fauna. But the number of animals and birds on the islands is not so great, which, however, is fully compensated by the uniqueness of the inhabitants of this paradise on earth.

The first on the list will be the symbol of New Zealand - the kiwi bird. Covered in long brown feathers, this endangered species is a favorite treat of New Zealand opossums. The island is also home to unique kea parrots, which are distinguished by their curiosity, high intelligence and unexpected strength. Just a couple of decades ago, they were mercilessly exterminated because it was believed that they eat sheep. In fact, kea simply love to ride on lambs that arrived from Europe.

The south coast of New Zealand is also home to small colonies of little penguins, which are quite difficult to track. In addition to the above-mentioned bird representatives, the islands are home to unique New Zealand tui birds, ueki drummers, kakapo parrots, etc. Kiwi birds and other birds can be observed on Stewart Island. In the dense New Zealand forests you can find pigs, deer, rabbits and small kangaroos. Nature has saved New Zealand from reptiles, poisonous spiders and nasty mosquitoes.

Indigenous people

About 80% of the population are descendants of emigrants from Great Britain, 15% are Maori, another 5% are immigrants from Asia and the Pacific Islands. Of particular interest is, of course, the indigenous population, that is, the Maori tribes. Most of them have assimilated into English society and live in cities.

Maori often cultivate folk customs and traditions for tourism purposes; for example, everyone can watch the famous “haka” war dance for a certain price. Exhibitions of folk crafts and art are held throughout the country.

What should a tourist do in New Zealand?

The magical nature of New Zealand is the first and main point of every trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud. But besides beautiful photographs, you can bring back many more impressions from New Zealand. So what is there to experience in New Zealand?

1. Take a ride on Swing Nevis - the largest swing in the world, located at an altitude of 160 meters above a rocky gorge.
2. Catch shrimp using bamboo sticks.
3. Ski in the New Zealand Alps and then take a dip in a hot thermal spring.
4. See how two oceans meet on the North Island.
5. See the hatteria (or tuatara) - an ancient reptile genetically related to dinosaurs.

Something you probably haven't heard of!

• Previously, the Maori were considered one of the most cruel and hardy people, as they practiced cannibalism, cut off the heads of their enemies and tattooed their entire faces with sharp incisors.
• The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in New Zealand.
• New Zealanders call themselves "Kiwis".
• New Zealand is the first country to give women the right to vote.
• New Zealand's unique landscapes, bird species and other natural features are carefully protected. For example, you can’t burn fires almost anywhere, and the import of even an apple core into the country is prohibited (not to mention seeds, plants and animals).

If you are tired of the frantic rhythm of megacities, concrete jungles, cramped conditions and dullness, if you are looking for extreme adventures, are fond of photography and want to surprise your friends with images of extraordinary landscapes - New Zealand, whose nature and population are unique, will bring a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions for a lifetime .

New Zealand seems at first glance to be a rather exotic country, this is due to its great distance from our country and the small amount of information about it. But, nevertheless, it arouses a lot of interest among tourists not only from Russia, but also from all over the world. New Zealand is a group of islands located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The largest of them are the North and South Islands, separated by Cook Strait.

A former English colony, today it is an independent state that is part of the British Commonwealth led by the Queen of Great Britain. But, in essence, the country is governed by the queen’s representative, the governor general. The official language is English. The climate on the vast majority of the archipelago is subtropical marine. Due to the fact that New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, the coldest month here is July, and January is considered high summer. Heavy snowfalls in winter are observed mainly in mountainous areas, and heavy rains occur in the rest of the territory.

New Zealand is distinguished by its unique nature, preserved almost in its original form. A significant part of the country's territory is occupied by mountains. But, in general, the landscape is quite diverse, there are deep fast rivers, dense forests, many lakes, many of them of volcanic origin, a large number of caves and grottoes, there are even extensive glaciers, geysers and healing mud. Tourists are also attracted to this country by beaches with clear water and blue lagoons. Several national parks have been created on the islands, including two marine parks.

Many species of animals and plants are found only in New Zealand, although most mammals were introduced here. It is noteworthy that there are no snakes here at all, but there are many insects. The capital of the state is the city of Wellington. It is known for its historical and cultural monuments. A visit to the New Zealand Opera House and the Royal New Zealand Ballet is a must here. The largest city in the country is Auckland. It is home to the largest port; participants in many round-the-world races, as well as international sailing regattas in the region, come here.

In Rotorua there is the Valley of Geysers with boiling mud lakes and mineral springs, and in the cultural center of the New Zealand Maori aborigines, among other things, you can see the kiwi bird, which is the symbol of the country. In addition, in various parts of New Zealand you can watch whales, see an active volcano, visit a zoo with many unique animals, as well as go fishing, diving and even extreme sports. Moreover, fishing and diving can be done all year round. Diving is mainly common in the coastal waters of the North Island, and in the area of ​​the South Island you can see the sunken Soviet cruise liner Mikhail Lermontov.

Extreme entertainment is very popular among tourists, of which there is plenty in the archipelago. In New Zealand, you can raft along underground rivers in caves, go rafting, yachting, alpine skiing, mountaineering, zorbing (going down a mountain inside an inflatable ball), bungee jumping (jumping from a bridge into a river with a safety rope), etc. Trekking is especially popular, for which routes have been developed through particularly picturesque places in the country. In New Zealand, everyone can find something attractive for themselves. Those who have visited this country at least once fall in love with it forever.

New Zealand, attractions

Extremely unique. It has been preserved in its original form thanks to its long historical isolation and distance from other continents. Some species of animals and birds, for example, the symbol of the country, the flightless kiwi bird, or the “living dinosaur,” the tuatara lizard, whose closest relatives became extinct 65 million years ago, live only here.

Skeletons of a giant giant were found in local caves. birds of new zealand- moa. It reached 3.5 meters in height and was the only bird in the history of the Earth completely devoid of wings. These unique creatures were exterminated by the Maori approximately 400 years ago. A little later, presumably only about 200 years ago, the largest known species of eagle, the Haast eagle, which had a wingspan of up to 3 meters and weighed up to 15 kg, was also exterminated.

About 1000 years ago, before permanent human settlements appeared on the islands, mammals were historically completely absent. The exceptions were two species of bats and marine animals living in coastal waters: dolphins, whales, killer whales, fur seals and lions. Also, there are no snakes in New Zealand, and of the spiders, only the katipo is poisonous.

All are predatory New Zealand animals: rats, mice, ferrets, stoats, possums, dogs and cats - were brought to New Zealand by colonialists - Polynesians and Europeans. The appearance of some of them had an extremely negative impact on the flora and fauna of the islands. Only in recent years, through the efforts of New Zealand's environmental agencies, some coastal islands have been rid of predatory animals, which allows us to hope that pristine natural conditions will be preserved there.

Birds are held in high esteem in New Zealand. Stepping off the plane at Auckland Airport, you will immediately hear polyphonic birdsong, and while relaxing on the shore of the lake, you risk being surrounded by a flock of geese, ducks and swans. The smartest bird in New Zealand and the whole world is the kea parrot - a threat to unattended cars, cameras and backpacks. From others birds of new zealand It is worth noting the takahe (it was considered extinct, but was discovered again in 1948), the kakapo (moreporkowl - an owl parrot that prevents you from sleeping at night with its loud cries) and the sweet-voiced tui.

New Zealand waters are home to the world's smallest dolphins (1.4 meters) - Hector's dolphins. They can easily be found near the coast of the South Island.

Flora of New Zealand is very diverse: it has about 2000 plant species, 80% of which are endemic, that is, they grow exclusively in this country. Especially a lot in New Zealand nature ferns. One of them - Cyathea silvery or silver fern - is a symbol of New Zealand and is depicted on its unofficial flag.

Another green attraction New Zealand - trees cowrie (kauri). They reach colossal sizes and live for many hundreds of years. It’s not for nothing that so many Maori myths and legends are associated with them. The most famous kauri tree is Tane Mahuta, named after the Maori god of the forests. It reaches a height of 51 meters, its girth is 13 meters, and its age is close to 2000 years.

The most beautiful New Zealand tree- pohutukawa. It blooms with fluffy bright red flowers from mid-December to mid-January, and for this it received its second name - New Zealand's Christmas tree.

New Zealand's landscapes are delightfully varied: mountains, valleys, plateaus, rivers and lakes, beaches, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes and fiords - it has everything in a relatively compact area. That's what makes it so exciting. Today you can sunbathe on the beach or admire flora of New Zealand, and tomorrow you can go skiing, and for this you don’t have to go far away.

20% of the country's territory is occupied by national parks and reserves with free access to everyone. All parks have excellent walking trails with information boards and places to visit. There are also two areas in New Zealand with World Heritage Area status. These are Tongariro in the central part of the North Island and Te Wahipounamu in the southwest of the South Island. The latter includes the Westland/TaiPoutini, Mount Aspiring, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Fiordland national parks.

In 2005, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce a carbon tax. As one of the important promising areas, by 2020 it plans to become the first country in the world to have a neutral balance of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and thereby achieve recognition of its status as the cleanest country in the world.