Geography |
New Zealand is located in the South Pacific Ocean about 1 600 km south-east of Australia. It consists of two large islandsthe North and South Islandsand numerous smaller islands, including Stewart Island to the south of South Island. Its area is 275 740 km2.
Hilly country with numerous bays and islands on the east coast and long sandy beaches on the west coast occupies the northern part of the North Island. To the south, in the central part of the island, the country is more mountainous. The land was formed by volcanic activity, some of it quite recent. There are many hot springs and other signs of volcanic activity. Active volcanoes include Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro, and the highest peak on the island, Mount Ruapehu (2 797 m). Rugged hills lie along the eastern part of the island.
The high, rugged Southern Alps dominate the western part of the South Island. Mount Cook, at 3 764 m, is the highest point in the country. Glaciation has resulted in spectacular mountains, valleys, lakes and fjords. To the east, sloping from the foothills of the Alps to the sea, lie the Canterbury Plains. They are one of the principle agricultural regions. In the south-eastern corner of the Island are the rolling hills of the Otago Plateau.
New Zealand lies within the Temperate Zone but, because of the distance from north to south and elevational differences, there is a wide range of climatic conditions. The northern peninsula is warm and humid all year. The inland plateau has hot, sunny weather in summer and sharp frosts with occasional snow in winter. Wellington is subject to the blustery winds of Cook Strait. In Auckland, the average January and July temperatures are 23° C and 8° C. Rainfall is heavier on the windward side of mountains and drier in the rain shadows to the east. Wellington receives about 1 230 mm annually while Auckland receives about 1 850 mm. Milford Sound, on the south-western coast, receives about 5 600 mm annually.
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.