New Zealand - Geography, Climate, Economy

It covers an area of 268 675 sq km and the population is 3 407 277 inhabitants. The capital city is Wellington (326 900) and the main ethnic groups are: Europeans (mostly British 87 %), Maoris (12 %), and other Polynesians.
 
Geography
New Zealand (Aotearoa in the Maori language) is located in south-west Pacific Ocean, south-east of Australia and consist of two large islands - North Island and South Island - and many small islands (e.g. Stewart Island). They are separated by Cook Strait which is 150 km wide. New Zealand is larger than Great Britain, but the density of population is quite low. This country is rolling, hilly and mountainous, there is very little flatland 1 and lowland areas only around the coast. Almost 80 per cent of the population live on the North Island. All the larger cities - Auckland (910 200), Christchurch, Hamilton and Manukau lie here. There are many hot springs and geysers and also a lot of volcanic activity. The most spectacular volcanic area, thermal lakes and exploding geysers are in the Rotorua district. On North Island also lies the biggest lake - Taupo (over 606 sq km). Many of the New Zealand’s rivers are short and torrential 2 and the largest river is the Wanganui 3. The South Island has the highest mountains, the Southern Alps (Mount Cook, 3 764 m) and there are many glaciers 4 and fjords too. Because of its locality to the west of the international dateline 5 New Zealand is one of the first countries to see the Sun at the beginning of each new day. This country is also located in a earthquake zone even near one of the major fault line 6, which encircles the Pacific Ocean.

Climate
This country has a very pleasant and healthy climate with plenty of sunshine and good rainfall, with warm summers and mild winters. New Zealand is world known for its diversity and extraordinary 7. In the wildlife we can find many creatures which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. Kiwi - a roundisch, flightless bird is New Zealand’s national symbol. But this bird is now in great danger to becoming extinct 8. Also the possum 9 - a small marsupial animal 10 with a long tail - is very interesting creature but it causes a lot of damage to undergrowth.

Political system
Like Australia, as well New Zealand follows the British pattern 11 . This country is the member of Commonwealth with the Queen Elizabeth II as the head represented by the Governor-General. The executive power has the Prime Minister and his Cabinet and the legislature is made of two chambers Parliament. New Zealand is divided into 93 counties, 9 districts and 3 town districts.

Important events in history
The first settlers of New Zealand were Polynesian tribes - the Maoris - who migrated from the south Asian mainland and settled this islands during the 14th (8th ?!?) century. The first European to see New Zealand was the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, who discovered its western coast in 1642. Between 1769-77 this country was explored and descriptioned by James Cook. Actual colonisation begun in 19th century by with the Maori chiefs accepted the sovereignty of the British Crown in 1840 - the Maori people were guaranteed protection of their lands. In 1852 Britain granted there self-government but there was a strong Maori resistance against it. Many conflicts between the British settlers and the Maoris led  to 12 war between 1860-70 and in 1867 Maori got four seats in NZ Parliament. There are no differences in basic legal, education and politic rights between the Europeans and Maori in this time.
 
Economy
New Zealand is a rich agricultural country. The green farmlands 13 are suitable for grazing 14 all the year round - so this country is specialised in livestock and sheep breeding 15 (sheep outnumber humans by more than twenty to one!). There is growed 16 fruit and vegetables too. The industry is closely connected with agriculture. Grazing industry producing wool, food-stuff industry produced meat, butter and cheese. The main natural resources are natural gas, coal and sulphur 17 . The living standard is one of the highest in the world.