New Zealand Map (China-foreign comparison)

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-04-01
Features: New Zealand: Located in the southern Pacific Ocean, between Antarctica and the equator. It is separated from Australia by the Tasman Sea to the west, with a distance of 1,600 kilometers. To the north are Tonga and Fiji. New Zealand consists of the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and some nearby small islands, covering an area of 270,534 square kilometers, with an exclusive economic zone of 1.2 million square kilometers. The coastline is 6,900 kilometers long. The country is predominantly mountainous with limited plains, and mountains and hills account for more than 75% of its total area. The four seasons are not very distinct, and the temperature difference is small. Most of the country has a temperate maritime climate, with mild weather year-round, abundant sunshine, rich rainfall, and lush vegetation. Water resources are abundant, with 80% of the country's electricity generated by hydropower. Forests cover about 29% of the country's land area, and the ecological environment is excellent. The North Island has many volcanoes and hot springs, while the South Island has glaciers and lakes. Mount Ruapehu on the North Island, the country's highest volcano at 2,797 meters, has Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, with an area of 616 square kilometers. The South Island spans from 40°S to 47°S latitude and has the country's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers in the Alps are the world's lowest-altitude glaciers. Outside the mountains lie a series of glacier lakes, including Lake Tekapo, which covers 342 square kilometers and is New Zealand's second-largest lake. Sutherland Falls, with a drop of 580 meters, ranks among the world's tallest waterfalls. The southwestern tip of the island has Fiordland National Park, with its dramatic peaks. Population: 4,072,500 (as of September 2004). Descendants of European immigrants account for 78.8%, Māori for 14.5%, and Asians for 6.7%. 75% of the population lives on the North Island. The population of the Auckland region accounts for 30.7% of the country's total population. The Wellington region's population is approximately 11% of the national total. Auckland is the most populous city in the country; Christchurch on the South Island is the second-largest city. The official languages are English and Māori. English is widely spoken, while Māori people speak the Māori language. 70% of residents adhere to Protestantism and Catholicism.