2015-08-12
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New Zealand is an island country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean and lies about 1,600 km southeast of Australia, which is separated by the Tasman Sea; midway between Equator and the South Pole.
The total area of NZ is 270,534 km2 (including Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Islands, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands), making it slightly smaller than Italy and Japan and a little larger than the United Kingdom.
The two largest island of NZ are the North Island (115,777 km2) and the South Island (151,215 km2). They are separated by Cook Strait (20 km wide in the narrowest place). The two main islands stretch from north to south for 1,600 km.
NZ comprises a great number of smaller island, some of them being far away from the main group. Stewart Island (1,750 km2) lies about 30 km south of the South Island – they are separated by Foveaux Strait. The Chatham Islands – 800 km east of the South Island.
Two overseas territories are governed by NZ – Ross Dependency (part of Antarctica) and Tokelau (an island group northeast of NZ). The Cook Island and Niue are self-governing states in free association with NZ.
THE NORTH ISLAND (NI)
Relief
It contains the high Volcanic Plateau which occupies the centre of the island. There are 3 active volcanoes: Mount Ruapehu (2,797m – the highest point), Mount Ngauruhoe (2,287m) and Mount Tongariro (1,967m). To the south and east of the Volcanic Plateau – steep hills. West of the plateau – a dairy-farming area on the lower slopes of a big volcano – Mount Taranaki. To the north – low hills and fertile river valleys form the Waikato region (most productive farmland). The areas around Hawke and Poverty bays are notable for the production of fruits, vines and vegetables.
Rivers/Lakes
Waikato River (435km) – the longest in NZ, rises near Mount Ruapehu, enters Lake Taupo and flows out of the lake in a winding course to the Tasman Sea. There are several dams on the river to produce hydroelectric power. Lake Taupo (606 km2) is the largest lake in NZ.
